Ten years ago, when comedian Karen Rontowski left San Diego for the bright lights of Hollywood, she knew whatever lies ahead of her on that path; she was more than prepared for from her years spent living in San Diego. “I lived in North Park for ten years and that’s kind of a crime test area for the rest of San Diego. The authorities figure out how solutions would work there and then apply it to the rest of the city,” says the accomplished funny lady. Why call her America’s Comedy Sweetheart? What else would you call the ONLY female comedian to appear last year on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman? That’s the distinction that Karen Rontowski holds. “It is quite a distinction, but it by no way means that I’m the only funny woman in the country. There are so many others out there that are just as qualified. It’s show business and a little good fortune is always helpful,” Rontowski humbly responds. Whether it’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time or destiny, it is a credit that Karen does carry with pride. Arriving in San Diego some 20 years ago by way of Hawaii and a stint as a cigarette girl in Las Vegas, Karen found herself immersed in the comedy scene of San Diego. She quickly became a regular at all of the local clubs, including the then Improv in Pacific Beach and primarily the Comedy Store in La Jolla. Karen’s style of comedy is self described as a “new-age hippy.” “There’s no time like the present to be living in the past,” says Karen. Anyone who had seen Karen from those early years of comedy development would have told you that there’s always been something very special about her. In addition to her making her network television debut on The Late Show, Karen has also appeared on Comedy Central, performed overseas for our troops and been the opening act for such legends as Ray Charles and Bob Hope; very special indeed.
On Friday, February 10th in Carlsbad, Karen will be performing on a special Valentine’s themed stand-up comedy show. The show will take place inside of Joey’s Smokin’ BBQ located at 6955 El Camino Real. Doc’s lounge is the venue inside of the restaurant which has been hosting a twice a month stand-up comedy show in an intimate setting for the past year and a half. While it does seem like an odd choice of venue for someone who was recently seen across the country by millions of people to be performing in, Karen simply states, “You know what we learn in comedy? We can’t get the people to come to our homes, so we have to go out to them. Whether it’s a performing arts center or a gathering at Doc’s, people are people. If they want me to come out, they take care of me; the audience is well behaved, responsive and ready to have a good time, what else would a comic need?” Performing with Karen will be her long time friend and also former long time San Diego resident, Lamont Ferguson.
Funny Valentines Comedy Night
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760-929-1396 Reservations REQUIRED (seating limited)
