Comics on Duty

Drake Witham

Drake Witham's comedy career began at an office Christmas party in a room filled with 200 co-workers. He had them all laughing with devastating impressions of his editors and criticisms of his employer, the Dallas Morning News. But not everyone liked the show. One of the editors was reduced to tears.

It wasn't a mean-spirited show but Witham decided it was time to leave journalism behind. Within six months he was in Los Angeles, wowing audiences with his deadpan delivery and razor-sharp wit.

An award-winning journalist, Witham always enjoyed making co-workers laugh. He once organized pager-races in which two competitors set their rigs to vibrate and dialed furiously, trying to move them to the finish line.

He pulls his humor from growing up in northern Virginia, his Irish-Catholic mother, his drama professor father and being the younger brother of a Navy SEAL. Much of his material comes from the working world where he has toiled not only as a journalist but as a temp, an SAT proctor and even as a berry picker.

A graduate of the University of Washington, Witham has performed at the Hollywood and Irvine Improvs, the Comedy Store, Laugh Factory and Ice House. He recently won the Seattle Comedy Competition and spent ten days performing for the troops in Iraq.

KarenRontowski

Karen has been working as a full time comedienne for over 17 years.  Her clean observation comedy makes her perfect for everything from clubs to corporate to colleges and beyond. 

She is a "Baby Boomer Hippie" who believes there is no time like the present to be living in the past.   She describes herself as having an optimistic outlook (even though her therapist describes her as being in complete denial).  Either way everything is coming up roses when you talk to Karen! 

Originally from Pittsfield Mass she spent her early 20's as cigarette girl at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and then moved to San Diego, CA where she became a regular at both the Comedy Store and The Improv.

Karen has opened for such show biz legends as Bob Hope, Ray Charles and The Monkees.  She is a regular on the number one radio show in the country, Bob and Tom and can be seen on Comedy Centrals Live at Gotham and Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen.   She just recently made her acting debut playing the lead role of Sue Burrow in the upcoming movie short, "Return To Sender" and has been feature in the book "Women's Lip" edited by Roz Warren and Moxxie Greeting Cards.

Her primary influence is Gracie Allen.

James P. Connolly

Playfully self-delusional, wildly entertaining, and possessing a booming voice dripping with insincerity, James P. Connolly has been described by industry professionals as a cross between a young Steve Martin and Troy McClure of "The Simpsons." Unique in both performance and material, Connolly makes an unforgettable impact wherever he shows up. "It's not about what happens to you in life, it's all how you spin it, and present it back to yourself." He explains. "I was at a wedding a few weeks ago and my buddy said I got so drunk I passed out on the floor. I said, 'or I got hammered at that wedding but I only fell once!"

Host of VH1's "Movie Obsessions", and a Grand Comedy Champion on Ed McMahon's "Next Big Star", James P. has been a Finalist in every major competition and festival entered, including Comedy Central's "Laugh Riots", the Boston Comedy Festival and the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. Called "an extraordinary talent", and "as funny, quick and fresh as any comedian around today" by entertainment bookers, you'll recognize him from many appearances on Comedy Central, HBO, VH1, SiTV, UPN, numerous National Commercials, voice over, multimedia, as well as regular airplay on XM and Sirius Satellite Radio Comedy Channels.

A Harvard University graduate, former Marine Corps Infantry Officer, mobile disc jockey/Karaoke host and Universal Studios tour guide, James P. Connolly has amassed a colorful background that allows him to connect with audiences of any age. He recently appeared in the award winning Fox Searchlight Films, "The Act", and his work has even taken him to the Cannes Film Festival where the Hollywood Reporter described his performances as "interactive perfection."

A headliner in top nightclubs and casinos across the country from Las Vegas to Atlantic City and an accomplished corporate entertainer, James has also made multiple visits to entertain the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a former Desert Storm veteran, Connolly has a one of a kind perspective about entertaining overseas. "People ask me if I was afraid for my safety. Not for a minute. Because I carry something with me the Marine Corps gave me long ago to protect me in just a dangerous environment: a laminated copy of my discharge papers!"

His brand new CD “The Master Plan” debuted to rave reviews on XM Radio’s Comedy Concert Series and has been called “captivating” and “laced with intelligent humor, edgy opinions” and “leaves them (the crowd) hanging on his every word!”

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