PUTNEY-Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, continues its 15th anniversary celebration with a night of nonstop laughter as Gordon Clark and his Vermont Comedy All Stars return for a "Live Stand-up Comedy Showcase" on Friday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.).
This comedy night is part of Next Stage's yearlong anniversary series, in which they are honoring individuals who have shaped their community and organization. At this show, they will recognize two "Next Stage Champions" - Lyssa Papazian and Barry Stockwell, whose passion and dedication have helped make Next Stage what it is today.
The evening will feature a lineup of comedic talent from across Vermont and beyond.
• Ang Buxton performs as a comedian and DJ and "brought the house down," organizers say, at Next Stage in 2024. Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, Buxton is described as "high-energy and smart in a stupid way." They've performed at Denver's Rise Festival and were named Queer of the Year at the P3 Comedy Festival. Follow them on all social platforms @bux_wild.
• Maddie Cross is a Burlington-based stand-up comedian who was a finalist in the 2023 Vermont's Funniest Comedian competition. She has opened for nationally touring headliners and is a frequent performer on comedy shows around Burlington and northern Vermont. Originally from Washington, D.C., Maddie draws heavily on her upbringing in the nation's capital for her material. She works in higher ed and spends weekends fulfilling her childhood dream of working at a bookstore.
• Neil Goldberg grew up in Vermont, "so he knows a lot about maple syrup, cheese, and the importance of snow tires," organizers say. He started writing comedy during COVID because, well, there wasn't much else to do. Once the world reopened, he began performing stand-up regionally, including shows at the Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington and the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. His comedy has been described as "unexpectedly intelligent," which he finds "both flattering and slightly insulting."
• Pierre Vachon is a stand-up comic, actor, professional wrestler, and hypnotist based in Middlebury. His style of comedy has taken him to stages across the U.S. and Canada. He has been seen on MTV and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.
• Matt Vita is a New York City-based comedian who regularly performs at clubs such as New York Comedy Club. He also manages the Woolen Mill Comedy Club in Bridgewater and co-founded the Vermont Comedy Festival. Matt is an award-winning freestyle rapper who has shared the stage with hip-hop legends. In 2023, he began touring regularly, headlining clubs from Canada to Florida, opening for the likes of Colin Quinn and appearing on television with Queen Latifah. In 2025, Vita opened for comedy legend Kevin McDonald on his East Coast Tour. His feature film Killington was released worldwide on Amazon Prime on Sept. 3, 2024.
• Gordon Clark (The Host) says he is proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks. A lifelong organizer and activist, he "took up comedy near the age of 60. He is the director of the nonprofit Vermont Comedy All Stars, through which he produces and hosts monthly stand-up showcase specials in Burlington and Montpelier, as well as the quarterly showcase at Next Stage. He lives in Burlington with his wife, dog, and cat.
Tickets for the June 20 performance are $12 in advance at nextstagearts.org and $15 at the door.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.