A few weeks ago, I attended a Next In Line Comedy show at The Victoria Freehouse in Center City. After learning that I could see more than six comics in one night at a reasonable price, I knew I had to go.
Upon arriving, I got a front-row seat. I was first blown away by the hilarious Betty Smithsonian as she warmed up the crowd, talking about her recent lesbian wedding and her mother’s boomer-ish remarks about the event. Following Betty was several talented acts from other comics including the Next In Line founders, Manny Brown and Tyler Wolf. Wolf immediately brought out laughter from the audience as he made fun of his own name, his looks, and the long list of stereotypes that come along with them. Brown cracked a few jokes that stuck with me about whether White people should still have to work on Juneteenth and how “racist pizza” always tastes better.
While all the acts of the night were fantastic, my favorite one had to be from local comedian Tata Sherise. Sherise immediately lit up the stage with her natural stage presence. Her jokes about what it’s like running with big boobs and awkward White men hitting on her had me cracking up.
What was so great about this show was that every performer had a unique style and came from a different background. There was a joke that resonated with everyone, no matter who you were. This is something you don’t see that often, especially with larger stage shows that only have one or two acts catering to a particular audience.
Every week, the shows at Next In Line have a different lineup of up-and-coming, or “next-in-line,” talent. Not only do they feature local rising stars, but they also bring in comics from other cities such as New York and Los Angeles for their shows. Many of the comics who have performed at Next In Line have also been featured on networks such as Comedy Central, HBO, and Netflix. Perhaps most notably, Next In Line’s first-ever headliner, Devon Walker, was recently selected as a regular cast member on “Saturday Night Live.”
With their first show taking place a little over a year ago in October of 2021, Next In Line has come quite a long way. Initially hosting only two shows a month, due to popular demand, the comedy company now gives Philly audiences two to three shows every week in various locations throughout the city, including Franky Bradley’s in Center City and Tattooed Mom on South Street. Every Saturday night, Next In Line hosts two back-to-back shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., upstairs at The Victoria Freehouse near Market and Front Streets in Old City. This intimate location is the perfect setting for comedy.
I highly recommend checking out a Next In Line Comedy show whether you live in Philadelphia or are just visiting for a few days. Tickets for Next In Line Comedy shows are only between $10 and $20, and there is no drink minimum. I can assure you it will be a night to remember!
To purchase tickets for Next In Line Comedy events, click here. For more information, follow Next In Line comedy on Instagram or like their Facebook page.