Everyone Could Use a Laugh; Comedy Under the Tap the Perfect Spot

The hottest comedy spot in the southwestern suburbs is right here in Oswego.

Every Tuesday brings the funniest comedians in the Chicago area to Kendall County's only weekly comedy revue beneath the . In the year they have been open, Comedy Under the Tap has sold out 36 weeks out of 52.

“We even sold out the night of the blizzard.” said co-producer Amelia Kleymann. “But sadly we had to cancel the show.”

Comedy Under the Tap may have had to cancel due to weather, but they more than made up for it the following week. With a diverse line up that included men and women, local comics and imported talent, the Feb. 8  performance left the audience in stitches.

Kleymann, a professional comedian herself, hosted the show. Her clever banter took seven comedians each with a distinct styles and wove them into one cohesive show. Comedic styles ranged from fast paced David Drake to laid back Drew Frees to wine drinking Matt Drufke.

Kleymann's local humor was balanced by Chicago comics Ricky Gonzalez and Will Miles. Female comics are a rarity, but Comedy Under the Tap featured three excellent female comics.

In addition to Kleymann, Michelle Krajecki and Emily Lake rounded out the evening. Emily Lake, who headlined the Feb. 8 show, had the audience clutching their sides with her single woman's insights into marriage, kids and lactation. 

First time audience members, Brian and Mary Collins loved the show.

“We will definitely be coming back,” they said. 

After the show Kleymann and Drufke talked about the early days of Comedy Under the Tap.

“My husband, Michael, and I were discussing how we'd like to create a comedic venue in Oswego. Our friend Ryan who was the manager of the Tap House Grill, suggested that we use their basement space.”

After a lot of work, including building a stage, Comedy Under the Tap opened. Drufke, who performed at the first show, says it was a fun place to work from the very beginning.

When asked how comics are chosen, Kleymann explained that comics just sign up.

“We always get more than we need,” she said.

Then she and her fellow producers, Michael Kleymann, Joe Larkin and Michael Moore, pick which comics will perform on which night. Each show is a mix of new comics and seasoned performers.

It is possible for a new comic to work their way up to headlining. None of the performers are paid for their time.  

“Comics go where they are welcome. They love to play here because the producers really care about comedy and the comics," Drufke said.