What Is Comedy on State in Madison?
Updated
Comedy on State is a local comedy club in Madison, Wisconsin, that hosts stand-up shows and special events such as Drag Bingo. It's the kind of place you'd book for a birthday party, bachelorette party, or a regular night out, and its calendar mixes touring headliners from Netflix, SNL, and late-night TV with themed events. If you're deciding whether to go, the main things to check are who's performing on your date, the showtime, and whether tickets are still available.
What kind of shows does it host?
The lineup is primarily stand-up comedy, with occasional specialty events. From the club's current listings:
- Lucas Zelnick — described as from the Netflix Is a Joke Festival, with multiple shows across a run of dates
- Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa: The Paradise Gothic Tour — a touring show tied to his specials Monsoon Season, French Kiss Tunnel, and Woodapple Jam, with VIP tickets offered
- Emil Wakim — billed as from SNL, The Tonight Show, and Comedy Central
- Mark Normand — known for the podcasts Tuesdays with Stories and We Might Be Drunk, with VIP tickets offered
- Drag Bingo with Bianca Lynn Breeze & Renae Sance — a non-stand-up event on the calendar
- Pete Lee — from The Tonight Show
- Tommy Brennan — from SNL
So the programming isn't only traditional stand-up: it also includes interactive events like Drag Bingo, which is worth knowing if you're planning a group outing.
How do tickets and pricing work?
Tickets are sold per show, and pricing varies by performer and time slot. In the listings shown, Lucas Zelnick's shows are priced at $35–$47, with several showtimes per night (for example, 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm on the same evening). Some performers offer VIP tickets, noted for Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa and Mark Normand.
Two practical points from the schedule:
- Shows can sell out. The Saturday 9:30 pm Lucas Zelnick show is marked "Soldout" while other times that weekend still list prices — so if you have a specific date and time in mind, booking early matters.
- Showtimes vary by day. Weekend runs often have earlier and later sets, while some weekday shows have a single time. Check the exact time for the date you want rather than assuming a standard schedule.
The site provides a "VIEW ALL SHOWS" option to see the full calendar beyond the featured listings.
What should you check before you go?
The club's "Plan Your Visit" section links to pages that answer the logistics questions most people have:
| Page | What it likely covers |
|---|---|
| Reservations & Seating | How seating works and whether you need to reserve |
| Parking & Directions | Getting there and where to park |
| FAQ | Common questions about the venue and shows |
| Hotels & Restaurants | Nearby options if you're making a night of it |
If you're organizing a group event — a birthday or bachelorette party, as the club's own description suggests — the Reservations & Seating page is the one to read first, since group seating and reservation policies are the details most likely to affect your plans.
Who is this for?
Comedy on State fits a few different situations:
- A night out in Madison — pick a showtime that works and buy tickets for that specific set.
- Seeing a touring comedian — the calendar includes acts with Netflix, SNL, and late-night credits, plus podcast-famous performers like Mark Normand.
- A group celebration — the club explicitly markets itself for birthday and bachelorette parties, and events like Drag Bingo suit a group more than a solo stand-up set might.
- A themed or alternative event — Drag Bingo shows the venue isn't limited to conventional comedy nights.
The main limitation to plan around is availability: popular weekend shows sell out, and pricing and VIP options differ by performer. Start with the show listing for your date, then use the Plan Your Visit pages to sort out seating and parking before you commit.