“Funny Is Female Comedy Festival reviewed by Frank Meccia

The ComedyPlex in Oak Park is a very nice, intimate, downstairs venue. The space is arranged in a cabaret style, with a side stage and multiple tables that comfortably accommodate three people. The layout creates a relaxed atmosphere where the comedians can connect with the audience, and the audience feels close to the action.

There is a two-drink minimum, but the prices are reasonable for a live entertainment venue. Sodas start at $5, while mixed drinks run up to approximately $15. It’s a comfortable place to spend an evening enjoying live comedy without the expense or formality of a larger entertainment venue.

Avril Granato: A Hilarious Host

Our host for the evening was Avril Granato, a local comedian and one of the people behind the creation of this festival. She immediately established a welcoming atmosphere and demonstrated why she belongs onstage herself.

A Chicagoan through and through, Avril has performed at venues including the Laugh Factory, iO Theater, Comedy Club, and The Den. Her comedy draws heavily from her experiences as a mother and her observations of life in Chicago.

Her delivery is natural, relatable, and genuinely funny. She knows how to connect with an audience, and her local perspective gives her material an added touch of authenticity.

After seeing her host this show, I would love to catch a full-length performance featuring Avril. She certainly has the personality and comedic talent to carry an entire evening.

Marina Franklin: Honest, Fearless, and Hilarious

The headliner for Friday evening was Marina Franklin, a Chicago native whose experiences span Highland Park, Chicago’s South Side, and, more recently, New York City.

Marina has built an impressive comedy career, appearing on television, late-night programs, cable, and stages at comedy clubs across the country.

Her comedy is personal, honest, and refreshingly direct. She explores the realities of being over 50, the challenges of getting older, and the experiences of navigating life in New York City while trying to maintain a youthful appearance and a tough exterior.

What makes Marina so entertaining is that her humor feels genuine. She isn’t simply delivering a collection of prepared jokes; she draws laughs from the realities of everyday life and the experiences many of us recognize.

And yes, she had the men laughing, too!

That’s the mark of a good comedian. You don’t have to share every experience or perspective to appreciate the humor. Marina knows how to tell a story, find the funny side of a situation, and bring the entire room along with her.

Danna Kiel: A Teacher Who Knows How to Deliver a Punchline

Another standout was Danna Kiel, a Los Angeles-based comedian, actor, writer, producer, teacher, and mother.

Danna brings a distinctive perspective to her comedy, drawing on her experiences in education and family life. Her material connects generations, poking fun at the situations that make parents, teachers, and students shake their heads in recognition.

As a Baby Boomer, I particularly enjoyed her ability to find humor in the differences between generations. She reminds us that no matter how much the world changes, people will always find something ridiculous about everyday life.

Her observations had the audience laughing, and her experience as a performer was evident in her timing and delivery.

Up-and-Coming Comedians Get Their Chance

The evening also featured shorter sets from up-and-coming female comedians, allowing them to perform in front of a live audience and learn from the more experienced headliners.

These shorter performances are an important part of a festival like this. Comedy is an art that requires practice, timing, confidence, and the ability to read a room. Sharing a bill with established performers gives emerging comedians valuable experience and a chance to develop their own voices.

Not every joke will land, and not every performer will connect with every audience member. That’s part of live comedy. But providing these opportunities is what makes a festival like Funny Is Female worthwhile.

A Man’s Perspective: It’s All About the Delivery!

I’ll admit that before the show started, I wondered whether I was about to spend 90 minutes listening to jokes about men, relationships, and sex.

Let’s face it: when the subject turns to men and sex, the material doesn’t automatically become funny just because someone is talking about it. It’s all about how you deliver the joke!

There’s a difference between simply bashing men and finding humor in the complicated, sometimes ridiculous relationships between men and women. The best comedians understand that distinction.

Thankfully, Funny Is Female delivered exactly what I had hoped for: 90 minutes of great comedy, entertaining stories, and plenty of laughs.

Instead of feeling like an outsider at a show designed exclusively for women, I enjoyed the performances right alongside everyone else. The comedians brought different experiences and perspectives to the stage, but their ability to make people laugh was universal.

And isn’t that what comedy is supposed to do?

Don’t Miss the Rest of the Festival!

The Funny Is Female Comedy Festival runs through October 25, and if Friday night’s performance was any indication, there is plenty more laughter to come.

Saturday features three performances, scheduled for 3:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 9:30 p.m., while Sunday’s shows are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. With an extensive lineup of comedians, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a performance.

Tickets are available online at www.fiffestival.com, with advance tickets priced at $10 and tickets at the door priced at $20. Check the festival website for the current schedule and ticket availability.

And here’s a little parking tip for anyone unfamiliar with Oak Park: parking can be relatively inexpensive, and the Whole Foods parking lot is a convenient option to investigate. Park there and walk out the back entrance toward the club, but be sure to check the posted parking rules before leaving your car.

My Final Take

The Funny Is Female Comedy Festival proved to be a delightful evening of entertainment. The ComedyPlex provides an intimate setting, the host was terrific, and the featured comedians brought their own unique perspectives and styles to the stage.

What impressed me most was the variety. From Avril Granato’s Chicago-inspired humor to Marina Franklin’s candid observations about getting older and Danna Kiel’s hilarious take on education and family life, the show offered something different with each performer.

As someone who appreciates live entertainment, I always enjoy discovering talented performers and seeing what they bring to the stage. This festival delivered, and I left with exactly what I had hoped for: a great evening with friends and plenty of laughs.

I can’t wait until next year!

If you enjoy comedy, don’t miss the Funny Is Female Comedy Festival. Whether you’re a regular at comedy clubs or simply looking for a fun night out, this is a festival worth checking out.

And to all the men out there who might be wondering whether they’ll fit in at a female comedy festival, take it from me: go, grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy the show. You might be surprised by just how much you laugh!