>> Garth Brooks concert to be played at 300 drive-in theaters — including here
“They [local comedians] wanted to do a fundraiser show for us when we reopened to help offset some of the losses we took during the shutdown. We also need to get our AC fixed. It’s been on the blink for a little while,” said Wiley’s co-owner Don Smith.
According to Smith, the club will be taking all the necessary precautions as dictated by the state. The club has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. The staff will be wearing masks, while customers have the option to wear or not wear one. Tables will be spread out to maintain the 6-foot requirement. Sanitization of the microphone between comedians has yet to be determined.
>> Dayton Burger Week to return this summer
The comics on the show were picked by local comedians. Smith said that like the business, the comics in the Dayton area have been having a rough time with the club being shut down. However, some comics have been doing virtual open mics.
“Many comedians use comedy as a way to talk out their own problems. It’s therapy for a lot of us. Comics have not been able to get on stage for a live performance. There have been a few online streaming events that some have taken part in. There were several open mics on Discord. It’s just not the same as being up on stage, though,” Smith said.
For now, Smith hopes that there isn’t another wave of COVID-19 that causes another shut down. He also believes that Wiley’s has a bright future.
>> Land of Illusion’s giant inflatable water playground now open
“Wiley’s has been providing some of the best entertainment in the area since 1982. We are coming back. We will keep coming back. There have been some rough patches, but we keep surviving. I want to see Wiley’s get to the point of thriving instead of just surviving. We love Dayton and we want to keep entertaining you,” he said.
Also, in Wiley’s future is the annual Fireworks Competition starting Friday, June 26. Like years past, each comic gets five minutes in the first round and the audience votes for three from each show to go on to the finals. While the format is the same, there will be a few differences this year.
“COVID-19 has definitely leveled the playing field somewhat. No one has had any actual stage time since March … We'll see who has been writing and working on the craft, and who will be shaking the dust off,” said Karen Jaffe, who books the competition as well as the Wiley’s Sunday Comics shows.
The competition is open to anyone who registers by Sunday, June 21. There is a $25 fee to perform, but the winner of the competition will receive $1,000. Second and third place typically get a little cash as well.
The return of Wiley’s to Dayton is a necessity according to Smith. The Dayton area, as well as the entire country, has had its share of trauma and needs to laugh.
“.. We are working through a global pandemic and international protests against systemic racism and police brutality. Comedy needs to return. It’s a mechanism for coping with the world around us, and we need every coping mechanism at our disposal right now,” he said.
Online reservations for this weekend's shows and the Fireworks Competition are strongly encouraged since there will be less seating available due to the social distancing restrictions. For tickets, or to sign up for the competition, visit www.wileyscomedy.com. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling 937-224-5653.
Comics Com Home Comedy Shows will be: 8 p.m. on Friday, June 12; 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13; and 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 14.
The first rounds of the Fireworks Comedy Competition will be: 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26, and 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. The finals will be at 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 28.
About the Author