10th Annual Comedy Competition Kicks Off Tuesday, Feb. 28

The 10th Annual New Talent Comedy Competition kicks off this week with two preliminary rounds on Tuesday, February 28 and Wednesday February 29.

It starts with a total pool of over 100 amateur comedians. The audience votes for their favorites at each show, and ultimately picks the funniest local comedian. Each night's winners will advance to the next round. The top finalists then compete for cash prizes and a week of emcee work at Roosters. Past winners include regular SF SketchFest performer Mari Magaloni (2007 winner), actor/comedian Reggie Steele (2003), as seen on Martin Lawrence Presents on Starz, and Mike E. Winfield, (2004) who snagged a role on NBC's The Office in 2011 and was featured on Letterman.

All shows include a professional emcee and headliner, and this week we've got Ken Townsend hosting with Conor Kellicutt closing the show Tuesday, and Ronn Vigh hosting with headliner Will Franken on Wednesday.

Scheduled to compete Tuesday Feb 28:
Danny Allen
CMF
Jesse Hett
Shan Howerton
Patrick James
Eric Kauffman
Justin Lucas
Sam Meeker
Bruce Michael
Dauood Naimyar
Raymond Santos
Bobby Shah
Jay Stowe
Stephen Turner
G. Williams

Scheduled to compete Wednesday Feb 29:
Theresa Boteilho
Matt Casey
Ray Davila
Corie Gipson
Paul Green
Courtney Huston
T.J. Kelsall
Jeff McBride
Johan Miranda
Robert Novak
Rudy O.
James O'Malley
Tammy Powers
Paul Simmons
Bryant Tarpley

Tickets available online at www.RoosterTFeathers.com or call 408.736.0921.

Congratulations Shanti Charan, winner 9th Annual New Talent Comedy Competition

Photo by Imran G.

It started over two months ago with more than 100 competitors and has now come to a close with one winner. Shanti Charan becomes the second woman to take top honors in Rooster's annual contest. (Mari Magaloni, actress and acclaimed Palin impersonator, won the 5th Annual New Talent Competition in 2007.)

Shanti wins a cash prize and a week of paid emcee work at Roosters. Shanti happens to be part of an upcoming show, Outsourced Comedy, which features Raj Sharma, Kabir "Kabeezy" Singh (2009 Roosters New Talent Competition Winner), and Sammy Obeid (2008 Roosters New Talent Competition Winner). Outsourced Comedy plays Wednesday May 25 and Thursday May 26 at 8pm at Rooster T. Feathers. Tickets are available now at www.roostertfeathers.com.

Here's Shanti's winning set from the competition.



Congratulations to the other top finishers: Nick Aragon in 2nd Place and Duncan Riach in 3rd Place. Great job all!