Tony Clifton with The Tony Clifton Trio

Fundraiser for the ACLU Action Fund and Planned Parenthood of the Heartland

*Note: All tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door

*Now featuring Auralie Wilde & Naughty Dottie of burlesque beauties The Heartland Bombshells!

Green Gravel Comedy Fest is proud to present world-renowned comedian and consummate showman Tony Clifton to The Mill for one night only! Join us for an unparalleled evening of grooves, croons and swoons with live band The Tony Clifton Trio. All proceeds for the show will be donated directly to the ACLU Action Fund, an organization that defends and preserves the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to persons in this country subjected to unconstitutional mandates in these United States. Proceeds will also be going towards Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, providing health services to women with discretion and dignity. Join us for a night of comedy for a world of good, hosted by NYC's own Brandon Ream! Audience prizes are in the mix, spirits will soar and whiskey will pour!

Be sure to visit GreenGravelComedyFest.com for full tickets and fest passes!

This show is brought to you courtesy of Little Village Magazine and Sheraton Hotel of Iowa City.

Tony Clifton was discovered by the late comedy great Andy Kaufman, who found Clifton performing in a seedy Las Vegas lounge in 1969. Captivated, Kaufman recruited Clifton to open for him on a string of engagements, most notably his Carnegie Hall Concert. Later, Kaufman insisted on Clifton being hired for what would be a controversial appearance on the hit TV show “Taxi” in 1978.

Clifton went on to open for Rodney Dangerfield, play to capacity crowds in soccer stadiums throughout Central and South America, share the stage of the Hollywood Bowl with R.E.M. and, in a twist of fate, appear opposite Jim Carrey in the critically hailed Kaufman biopic “Man on the Moon.”

Cantankerous as ever, Clifton continues to entertain, appearing recently as a guest on Late Night with David Letterman and The Jimmy Kimmel Show, in addition to taking the spotlight as the “Official Grand Marshall” of the Hangout Music Fest, addressing tens of thousands of beachside fans annually. Similarly, Clifton has been active as the emcee for concerts by The Flaming Lips, Primus, Umphrey’s McGee, Dirty Projectors and more, in between recording sessions for his album of duets with music luminaries including R.E.M., Billy Corgan and others. 

Alex Mesrobian is a writer, stand-up comic and performer from Los Angeles, CA. He's performed at several colleges, festivals and clubs including the Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival and others. Alex is currently a writer for the Emmy award-winning animation studio, Klasky Csupo Inc.

Sophia Smarandescu, Ames comedy terrorist, leaves a wave of destruction and confused looks wherever she goes. Her comedic style blends real life experiences, chairs, and microwaves. She is excited to appear in the upcoming Turnbuckle Comedy & Music Festival. She co-produces DG’s Taphouse Comedy Showcase in Ames, Iowa, and runs an all-talent open mic. 

Brandon Ream is a stand up comedian from Des Moines, Iowa who now lives in Brooklyn, New York (by way of Madison, Wisconsin). He specializes in subtle hilarities and slow burns, which has led to him performing all over the country and in clubs comedy festivals. In 2016 he won the BEST JOKE WRITER competition at the inaugural Cinder Block Comedy Festival. Brandon is cool and fun and can be found nightly telling his silly jokes all over New York City.