“Keep ‘er Movin” Comedian Charlie Berens records his first stand-up special and brings his dynamic show to the Milwaukee Riverside Theater.
The April 8 and 9 shows were a result of two postponed Milwaukee performances originally scheduled for January as COVID-19 cases surged. Although Milwaukee had to wait for the Wisconsin-native to make his rounds on his tour, the wait was surely worth it.
Milwaukee comedian Ton Johnson opened for Berens, bringing a light-heartedness and eased laughter among the audience. Johnson told jokes rooted in stories about familial relations and race with seamless delivery and an easy-going demeanor. As Johnson finished his set, a roar of applause came from the audience as Berens made the stage.
Berens gained traction in the comedy scene when he started an online YouTube series called “Manitowoc Minute.” He has become known for a character that plays on Midwestern culture and speech, often accompanied by an exaggerated Wisconsin accent. However, growing up in Wisconsin, the beer-drinking, camo-wearing, deer-hunting character that he is associated with is truly just an amplified extension of himself. Berens carried this bit throughout the show, while combining music, media and comedy.
Some jokes of the night consisted of the Midwestern goodbye, the dreaded round-a-bout, and tales of bullet holes in the interior of a family van. The audience was fully engrossed with the show. Beren’s blue-collar content and personal, Midwestern anecdotes made the show increasingly relatable for the Milwaukee audience.
Towards the middle of the show, Berens did a live “Manitowoc Minute” bit where he showed images up on a projector accompanied by humorous jabs and commentary. Much like the YouTube series, the bit ended with a live Craigslist Kicker auction.
During this time President Ed Garza and Vice President Jason Johns from the Center for Veterans Issues (CVI), a nonprofit provider of transitional and permanent housing for homeless or at-risk veterans in Wisconsin, joined Berens on stage. Together they auctioned off a wood carving statue of Bucky Badger listed as, “you can use it as an urn or a flask, your call.”
CVI was able to raise $20,000 from the live Kicker auction. In addition, the auction from both shows helped raise $4,000 for Near West Side Partners Inc., $2,400 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and $1,000 for Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc.
Charlie Berens, Adam Gruel and Teresa Marie Hardy
Berens ended the show with a musical performance of “Old Wisconsin Jubilee” and a Hallelujah parody titled “Uff Da” with Adam Gruel and Teresa Marie Hardy of The People Brothers Band.
The Charlie Berens show was an impeccable selection of humor, music, and the essence of all things Wisconsin. To catch one of his future shows, check out Beren’s official tour page here. He will be making his way back to Wisconsin in July and for a special performance on the State Fair Main Stage as a headliner later in August.