From January 2-5, the 2020 Pensacola Indie Fringe and Comedy Festival will bring lots of laughter for Pensacola’s first ever comedy festival. Presented by the Indie Art Council Pensacola, this is a dynamic gathering of comedy legends and stars such as Gilbert Gottfried, Donnell Rawlings and Orny Adams along with many others. Pensacola’s premiere comedy festival will feature stand-up, improv, sketch comedy, films, stage productions and comedy workshops across four days of comedic revelry in many entertaining forms. More than just a comedy festival, the 2020 Indie Fringe and Comedy Festival offers a truly hilarious opportunity to laugh, reflect, educate and laugh some more with the festival’s impressive variety of comically crafted, local and one-of-a-kind comedic materials.

The 2020 Indie Fringe and Comedy Festival will feature the legendary talents of comedy icon Gilbert Gottfried, known for his contributions to “Saturday Night Live,” “Fairly Odd Parents,” “Aladdin,” and many other TV and movie performances. Gottfried will perform at the Saenger Theatre on January 5 and bring on the laughs with his repertoire of boundary-pushing jokes as well as his truly unique voice.

Also performing on January 5 will be a co-headlining act starring the talents of Donnell Rawlings and Orny Adams at the Saenger Theatre. Known for his work on “Chappelle’s Show” and “The Wire,” Rawlings now performs across the country with his new show “2Soon.” Active in both stage and film, Rawlings holds comedy roles in the recent “The Jay and Silent Bob Reboot” film and Kevin Smith’s “Hollyweed.” Comedy veteran Orny Adams holds a record of late-night show appearances and comedy specials and starred as Coach Bobby Finstock from the series Teen Wolf. Questioning everything in life, even himself, Adams presents a brutally honest and energetic performance that will leave the audience laughing long after.

There’s more to this festival than famous faces, however. From January 3-5, grab a drink and check out the clever and entertaining performances of the festival’s regional stand-up comics performing across Downtown Pensacola in venues such as Perfect Plain, Chizuko, Casks & Flights, and O’Riley’s Irish Pub. Check out Pensacola’s own talented sketch comedy troupe Kitty Get a Job and local improv group Improvable Cause and be ready to split your sides with their first-class performances and unexpected storylines that will leave you clapping for more. 

With Mardi Gras approaching, the Indie Fringe and Comedy Festival is collaborating with Pensacola Mardi Gras and murder mystery dinner theatre company Improbable Cause Mystery Theatre to debut its newest show, “Murder Gras” at the Palafox House from January 2 to 4. Local krewes with Pensacola Mardi Gras will present the January 2 showing. This interactive and exciting dinner/murder mystery show for all ages will include a fully catered meal and special prizes for the attendee who discovers the identity of the murderer. 

Pensacola’s first comedy film festival will be held at the Rex Theatre January 3 and 4, featuring a short film competition, workshops, panels and more. Film showings include Pensacola-based feature “Wasted Hours,” television pilot “Scam County,” a live production of WSRE’s “Nightmare Theatre,” and a special screening of the classic short film “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.” The festival will host a diverse lineup of comedy workshops, panels, podcasts, and game shows! These hands-on activities will be held at locations such as Vinyl Music Hall, Palafox House, and the SCI Building, featuring more interactive activities and even a behind the scenes look of “Evil Dead: The Musical.”

Don’t miss out on Pensacola’s premiere comedy festival with its star-studded lineup, exclusive comedy workshops, hilarious comedy performances from artists both far near. There’s a bit of everything for everyone to laugh and enjoy at the 2020 Indie Fringe and Comedy Festival!

Tickets:

Weekend passes start at $40 and include admission to all workshops, panels and day-side entertainment, sketch, improv and film festival screenings at the Rex Theatre, and all standing venues (excluding the Saenger Theatre). Tickets for many events are also available a la carte and a limited number of VIP packages including seating to all ticketed events and other perks are available.

Tickets for are on sale now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pensacola-comedy-festival-tickets-82681331087.