The West Coast Funnies with Kurt Swann starring Karen Rontowski

The West Coast Funnies is San Diego’s longest running comedy variety show. The one of a kind show successfully blends sketch, satirical, video and stand-up comedy.  The show is part Saturday Night Live, part Daily Show and part Tonight Show. The monthly event’s centerpiece consists of an amazing list of comedians that have graced the stage. The show has boasted some of the best funny men and women from late night network television to premium cable specials. It truly is the best kept secret in San Diego comedy.  If it were a Jeopardy question it would read like this:  Currently in its 9th year of production, this show’s talent over that time has credits that include: over 60 Tonight Show appearances, 20 Late Show with David Letterman appearances, 15 Comedy Central specials, 2 Last Comic Standing winners and over 100 other television appearances. The answer: What is THE WEST COAST FUNNIES?!

Headlining this month is Karen Rontowski. Karen was the very first comedian to appear on the West Coast Funnies’ stage in 2002. Ten years ago, when she left San Diego for the bright lights of Hollywood, Karen knew that whatever lay 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.” 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.

“Even if you can't spell Karen Rontowski, you'd better remember it, because she is GREAT!”…David Brenner

Also appearing on the show will be Gary Cannon and the Pearl St. Players

“The cure for the common comedy show”…The Inlander- Spokane, WA

“The West Coast’s answer to Saturday Night Live”…Inside Southern California- Time Warner Cable

“Really, this is upscale”…The San Diego Union Tribune

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