Comedian Finds a Home on the Laugh Track

(Photo by Taylor Reschka)

Perhaps you’ve listened to an old-school CD from a comedy show, or watched the stand-up specials on Netflix and dreamed of being in the audience. Now’s your chance: comedian Pat Sievert (above) is recording his first comedy album at Mac’s Bar, 2700 East Michigan Ave., at 9 p.m. Monday.

Originally from Mason, Sievert has traveled the Midwest with his unique brand of stand-up comedy for the past eight years. He was named Grand Rapids Funniest Person in 2019, besting 80 other comedians.

Sievert, 38, has been a fan of comedy for as long as he can remember. He participated in a college talent show, and won a $300 first place prize for his comedy. After college, when Sievert turned 30, he felt unhappy in his personal and professional life. Naturally, he turned to comedy – listening to podcasts and albums to make him feel better. A light bulb went off – he had to make a triumphant return to the comedy stage.

“I did my first open mic at Connxtions Comedy Club on Feb. 15, 2012, and haven’t stopped since,” Sievert said. Inspired by Brian Regan, Paul F. Tompkins, Mitch Hedburg, and Tom Scharpling, Sievert has learned that hard work and following your passion can pay off.

Big Mac’s favorite

He’s been a regular in the local comedy scene, especially a familiar face at the weekly Mac’s Monday Comedy Night events, since 2012.

“At that time, Mac’s was pretty under the radar, so I got to try a lot of things in obscurity,” Sievert said. “I got better at comedy so fast because of the weekly spot. By 2015, the show was popular, crowds were great, and there was this buzz that you had to go to Mac’s to see what would happen. Dan Currie and Mark Roebuck really built something great.”

So, in finding a venue to record his first live comedy album, Sievert knew Mac’s Bar was the perfect location.

“There was nowhere else to even think about, my comedy grew up here,” Sievert said.

(Photo by DJ Dangler)

The 90-minute free show will be recorded by Lucas Nunn. The final product likely will be released in early 2020, in digital format, with a possibility of a physical copy thereafter.

The show features six opening comics before Sievert, who describes his material as “observational, and off-the-beaten path, surreal jokes.” There is adult-related material, and the show’s suggested rating is R.

Having made a name for himself, and a soon to be album, Sievert knows the Lansing comedy scene pretty well. “It’s pretty diverse, there are people doing a wide variety of comedy,” he said. “And since we don’t have a traditional comedy club, there is a do-it-yourself mentality to putting on shows, and hustling.”

The many Mac’s Monday night comedy sets, the statewide stand-up competitions, late-night joke writing have all led up to this album recording.

“I have been building up to this album for years,” Sievert said. “It will be a wild and hopefully successful night.”