What Kind of Shows and Events Does Comedy on State Offer?

Updated

Comedy on State in Madison programs touring stand-up comedians plus occasional specialty events like Drag Bingo. Most weeks follow a Thursday–Sunday run for a headliner, with two showtimes on Friday and Saturday nights, and single shows on other weeknights. Tickets for the shows listed on the site run about $35–$47, and some performances sell out in advance.

Stand-up comedy from touring headliners

The club's core offering is a rotating headliner who performs a multi-night run. From the schedule shown on the site:

  • Lucas Zelnick (from the Netflix Is a Joke Festival) played September 30–October 4, with 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm shows on the weekend and 6:00 pm/8:30 pm slots on Sunday. Tickets were $35–$47, and the Saturday 9:30 pm show was sold out.
  • Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa brought "The Paradise Gothic Tour" for a single night, with VIP tickets available.
  • Emil Wakim (SNL, The Tonight Show, Comedy Central) performed one night.
  • Mark Normand (podcasts "Tuesdays with Stories" and "We Might Be Drunk") played an October 8–10 run, with VIP tickets available.
  • Pete Lee (The Tonight Show) and Tommy Brennan (SNL) each had multi-night runs later in October.

The pattern to expect: touring comics with TV, streaming, or podcast credits, usually booked for a weekend block rather than a single show.

Specialty and themed events

Not everything on the calendar is a standard stand-up set. The schedule includes Drag Bingo with Bianca Lynn Breeze & Renae Sance, a one-night event that mixes drag performance with bingo. This is the kind of non-stand-up programming the club books alongside its comedy runs, so it's worth checking the calendar if you want something other than a traditional headliner show.

Showtimes and how to choose one

Weekend headliners typically get two shows per night (roughly 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm), while weeknight and Sunday shows are usually single performances. Practical implications:

  • Earlier shows tend to be the safer pick if you have a group, need to drive, or want dinner beforehand.
  • Late shows can sell out first for bigger names — the Saturday 9:30 pm Lucas Zelnick show was already sold out while other times remained available.
  • Sunday shows may start earlier (6:00 pm and 8:30 pm in the example above), which matters if you're planning around a weekend trip.

What it costs and how to buy

Listed ticket prices for the headliner runs shown were $35–$47, and some acts offer VIP tickets at a higher tier. Prices vary by performer and showtime, so treat those figures as a range rather than a fixed rate. Tickets are purchased through the club's site via "BUY TIX" links on each show listing, and the full calendar is available under "View All Shows."

Who this is for

Comedy on State suits anyone looking for a night of touring stand-up in Madison — date nights, groups of friends, or visitors who want a show paired with dinner or a hotel nearby (the site links out to hotels and restaurants for that purpose). If you want a specific performer, book early: weekend late shows for recognizable names are the ones most likely to sell out.