University Star

A crew of comedians is intent on sparking an entertainment revival from its headquarters at Corridor Comedy Club. They are doing it with burgers, beers and laughter.

“We are a group of comics who felt there was a need for more comedy, and we felt like San Marcos was a great location for it,” said Nicholas Aluotto, managing member of Corridor Comedy Club and stand-up comedian. “Live entertainment has kind of gone by the wayside, and we’ve just had so much of the Internet. Now people want to get out more.”

Aluotto said he is both a coach to the other comedians and a big part of the movement.Steve Juliano Moore, stand-up comedian, performed at Corridor Comedy Club during the weekend.

“We’re getting together to get things going again,” Moore said. “We’re in a recession, exactly the same position we were in before the big comedy boom of the ‘80s.”

Moore advocates more live entertainment.

“People who sit at home and watch comedy on the Internet and TV don’t have a clue about the energy.  It’s a shadow of the real thing,” Moore said.

The club has only booked Texas comedians since its opening three months ago, Aluotto said. Most performers come from the Austin-San Antonio Corridor, such as Bryan Gutmann, Seth Cockfield and Jay Whitecotton.

“It’s great to see comedians like that in the same room,” Aluotto said. “We were looking for a place to bridge the comedy scene between Austin and San Antonio.”

Local talents have performed at the club since its opening.

 John Dittmar, computer science freshman, performs at the open-mic nights and hosted the show this weekend.

Dittmar draws laughs by making light of his cerebral palsy disorder, such as how he is forced to play “rock, paper, hermit crab” because he cannot make scissors with his fingers.

“I think the greatest indicator of self-esteem is self-deprecation — it’s a cathartic experience, being able to say it and make people respond,” Dittmar said.

Candlelight and curtains set the mood in the small club nestled between the Taproom and the Coffeepot. Some were stunned by the size of the venue.

“I came in here with expectations to see a huge stage, but it was really close and intimate,” said Raul Cisneros, nutrition and food sophomore. “Every comedian interacted with the crowd perfectly … it’s the ultimate club to invite a first date or a group of friends.”

Bryan Gutmann, who performed on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham and won Funniest Person in Austin in 2007, said he enjoyed cracking jokes to a handful of seats  Friday night.

“If they’re not really feeling you, the amount of people doesn’t matter,” Gutmann said. “So I like this room a lot — this crowd seems like a comedy crowd.”

The menu of neighboring Taproom is available to guests, complete with the pub and grub’s burgers, liquor bar and selection of more than 60 beers.

Aluotto said open-mic nights are every Wednesday and a show every Friday and Saturday keep them busy.

“We work 10 hours to make one hour and a half hours of comedy,” Aluotto said. “To make it the best experience of your week.”