I was lucky enough to do a feature spot at the Lake Ontario Playhouse in Sackets Harbor, N.Y., a few weeks ago. The gig consisted of a Friday and a Saturday night show, leaving me with a weekend to get out, explore and report all the highlights back to you in this installment of the Backstage Pass.
The drive to New York turned into an eight-hour trip thanks to something called “The World’s Largest Garage Sale” in Warrensburg, N.Y.
Like its name suggests, this giant exchange of unwanted junk literally took up both sides of the street all the way through the entire town. The townsfolk sauntered lazily across the busy street like cars don’t hurt where they come from, giving me a much longer look at their terrific little tent sale than I would have ever wanted. I drove through Lake George, touristy and old-looking in a Weirs Beach kind of way, then drove the length of the Adirondack Forest, which was pretty, but it had nothing on the White Mountains.
I arrived in Sackets Harbor, which is essentially a street. Picture a bigger, prettier Strawbery Banke with modern stores and restaurants. Unlike some comedy clubs that put you up at a hotel, the Playhouse actually has comedians stay in rooms up above the stage at the Playhouse, which was very cool. It also allowed me to have a few extra pints of “War of 1812 Amber Ale” after the show.
My typical road routine is to get checked in and settled, then hit the local streets to find any local happenings that I can work into my act. Regionalized comedy shows that you cared enough to do your homework. I struggled through a sub-par Friday night performance, where I tried to mix in some new jokes and wording, and fell flat on my face in my attempt.
I was out the door by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday to walk the War of 1812 battlefields. I love those pieces of American history! Then I went up the block to Tin Pan Galley for breakfast. It was a little pretentious for my liking, but the food made it worth the inane conversations about private schools and the best places to get your boat shrink-wrapped. I had a Rueben omelet that definitely ranks in my all-time top three.
I spent the bulk of the afternoon sleeping, then went and put together a set list in a coffee house right next to the playhouse. Having structure to my set allowed me to come out and give one of the better 30-minute sets that I’ve ever done. Great sets mean you don’t have to buy the drinks or search for the conversations. I was able to ride a nice wave of free shots and liberal hugs until about 2:00 a.m.
These nights are the ones that most comics pretend to have, but that I’ve been fortunate enough to earn. It me up lovely for the drive back to Concord on Sunday morning.
(Comedian Jay Grove is the host of the free weekly comedy night, Punchlines @ Penuches, at Penuches Ale House in Concord every Monday night at 9 p.m. Contact Jay at jay@jaygrove.com.)
