Looking for laughs? New Jersey's comedy scene is growing

Seeing live comedy doesn’t have to mean heading to Manhattan.

Joseph Loesner has spent more than two decades organizing comedy shows in New York and New Jersey, and he says the scene on this side of the Hudson is “definitely growing.”

There will be a number of chances to check out the scene this summer. The Meadowlands Comedy Club has Laz Vic headlining July 24, followed by Porkchopz on July 31 and Adam Shandler on Aug. 7.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

The 52-year-old Lyndhurst resident is the founder of the Meadowlands Comedy Club. He started organizing shows in 2002 and worked at venues such as Joe Franklin’s Memory Lane and the former Laugh Factory in the city and started the Hoboken Comedy Factory.

He founded the Meadowlands Comedy Club in 2013 and Redd’s in Carlstadt is where you’ll find him now, building a scene in the shadow of the city.

“We are right next to the largest talent pool of comedians in the world,” he said.

Proximity to the city is one reason for the growth. Social media is the other.

When Loesner worked at the Laugh Factory, aspiring comics auditioned in person. Now, performers send videos to producers, like Loesner. These are the people who can put them on stages in places like Redd’s and his annual comedy festival.

The festival marked its 10th year in April, which Loesner called its “best year yet.” The club receives submissions from comedians around the country in the hope that Loesner likes what he sees.

“There are a lot of new comedians, and there’s the boom of social media, which is playing a big part in how comedians are being found and getting their content out,” he said.

He pointed to New Jersey comic Vic DiBitetto, whose viral videos helped him build a much larger following than years of performing stand-up.

Loesner makes a case for New Jersey's scene. First off, there’s convenience. Parking at Meadowlands Comedy Club is free. Food and drinks are available at Redd’s, but there’s no drink minimum. People can come for dinner, watch the show and hang out afterward.

That’s different from a busy Manhattan club, where rooms get cleared quickly so the next audience can come in. Then there’s the cost of getting into New York.

In the shadow of New York

Loesner is not suggesting New Jersey has caught up with New York where famous clubs offer professional shows seven days a week and comics such as Jerry Seinfeld or Chris Rock pop in.

“That’s one of the things that you can get in New York that’s not really going to happen in Jersey,” he said. “Not to say it’s impossible, but that’s one of the things that doesn’t happen too often.”

Still, North Jersey has its comedians.

Joe Piscopo and DiBitetto have come to Loesner’s shows, and he’ll often book New York-based comics who can make the trip to the Meadowlands.

Loesner hopes his new podcast, “Live From Meadowlands Comedy Club,” which features interviews with comedians and clips from shows, will increase visibility.

Right now, he said, the growing comedy scene is one of the Garden State’s “best-kept secrets.”

The club will hold its America’s Stand Up Comedy Championship on Aug. 14. The competition puts comedians before judges and audiences, who help decide the winner. Joanne Ashe is the current champion of the competition, which has been going since 2008.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Looking for laughs? New Jersey's comedy scene is growing