Bob Kephart's Funny Business Keeps Going and Keeps Growing!
The Comedy Stop Cafe & Cabaret
Atlantic City, NJ -- Bob Kephart has at least
one thing in common with today's stars of standup: he's serious about comedy.
Though he may not have the name recognition of the many upstart performers that
have romped on his Comedy Stop stages, Kephart has been on the cutting edge of
standup for more that two decades. Building a comedy club into a bottom-line
success is no easy task. It takes a special kind of talent, true persistence
and unwavering faith.
In short, it takes passion.
In Kephart's case, a passion for comedy has been his personal gasoline, fueling
success of three Comedy Stop locations - one in Atlantic City and two in Nevada.
"Standup is the purest form of entertainment," Kephart explains. "Just a person
with a microphone, stringing words together to make us laugh. That's the real
deal, where true talent is laid bare. There's nothing else like it in the world," he
says.
Kephart's Comedy Stop has been building momentum since the first venue opened
in 1983 in Atlantic City. The secret to his success is really no secret - since
day one he has kept his ear to the ground, staying plugged into the comedy scene,
looking for the very best talent. He continues to stay very hands-on, personally
booking many of the artists.
You could say he has a knack for spotting talent, considering the names that
have graced the Comedy Stop marquee: artists like Tim Allen, Richard Jeni, Drew
Carey, Brett Butler, Ray Romano, Emo Phillips, Judy Tenuta, Lewis Black, Richard
Lewis and Rosie O'Donnell.
Kephart established himself as an impresario of comedy almost as soon as he got
into the nightclub business in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. His early success
led the Tropicana Casino to invite him to take over club space inside the hotel
in 1983. The partnership has been a fruitful one. Since those early days, The
Comedy Stop has gone onto bigger and better things, opening additional stages
at the Las Vegas Tropicana in 1990 and at the Laughlin Flamingo in '94. Most
recently, Kephart was offered space to expand the Comedy Stop in a massive new
construction project at the Tropicana in Atlantic City.
Renamed The Comedy Stop Cafe and Cabaret, the new venue is
among dozens of new dining and entertainment offerings in The
Quarter, Tropicana's Old Havana-inspired tower. It is the first
Comedy Stop with a busy kitchen offering a full menu of dinner
options - and 300 additional seats. Additionally, the amenities
the property offers have made it possible for Kephart to open
the Comedy Stop Cafe & Cabaret
for private and corporate party rentals.
Kephart says he's up to the challenge. "This is a different way of doing things,
a bigger space and a restaurant, with new pressure and new challenges. But, hey
- it's show business. We're used to pressure and challenges!" he
says.
This, from a guy who opened his first Comedy Stop in the dead
of winter, Atlantic City's slowest season. "People were laughing, but for the wrong reasons. Some
thought we'd never make it. We sold out the first four shows, even in December
on the Boardwalk. We haven't looked back," he says.
In the final analysis, Kephart's commitment to the art form
is likely to carry the day. Many comedy clubs have come and
gone since the first Comedy Stop opened its doors - including
rivals in Atlantic City. "A lot of people have jumped
on the bandwagon, only to fall off later. Any place with a PA system and some
chairs can claim to be a comedy club. But a cavalier approach is death in this
business. It's not in the best interest of your audience or your performers," he
says.
Kephart remains true to his vision: respecting the craft of standup, spending
the money needed to book top talent and providing the best possible experience
for his guests.
He's definitely serious about comedy. That commitment has built true brand equity
for his Comedy Stop venues. The audience gets an evening of fun, the performers
get an audience that is being well taken care of - and Kephart gets to keep rubbing
elbows with the world's funniest people.
It's a win-win for everybody.
After two decades of serving up laughs in Atlantic City, the
all-new $3 million dollar Comedy Stop Cafe & Cabaret opened in November 2004 on the third floor
in The Quarter entertainment and retail complex at Tropicana. The Comedy Stop
Cafe & Cabaret features the Best Comics, Best Club & Best Prices.
Visit www.comedystop.com for more upcoming schedules and information.
Media invited to attend show / tour
facility
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