In a life where success is measured by the number of laughs received, Joanne Viskup strives to avoid silence and relishes the joyful sounds of happiness on her journey into stand-up comedy.
Always a story teller, the audience of Viskup’s tales, highlighted by her sharp sense of humor, has expanded from the dinner table to a room full of attendants at the Funny Bone Comedy Club.
“I’m Italian and from Brooklyn; I have to be funny,” Viskup said.
After seeing comedian Kathy Griffin perform at the Schuster Center in April and with the encouragement of her Bunko (a dice game) friends to put her laugh inducing talents to work, Viskup stepped up for an open-mic night at Jokers last August. Jokers later became the Funny Bone.
“Now I’m addicted,” she said, as the sounds of laughter fills her with unbridled pleasure.
The material for Viskup’s act comes from her own life experiences and views, such as coming from Brooklyn to Tipp City.
One adjustment she’s had to make since making the move 13 years ago to Tipp City is the vast amount of road kill.
“Why’s the squirrel in such a hurry? There are cornfields on the left and the right,” Viskup said. “Slow down and look both ways.”
There is no certain daily time that Viskup devotes to creating new material but just whenever a thought strikes her. She said that a lot of her ‘writing’ is actually done in the shower.
Most people are likely to have the latest joke tried on them, but used most often are Viskup’s Bunko friends and members of the PTA.
“If you have ears, I’ll test it on you,” she said.
Under the stage lights, Viskup feels no nerves but is fueled with the excitement and fun from entertaining an audience. Though it’s a room full of strangers, the guffaws uttered provides a comforting sense of friendliness.
“To think something that came from my head, on to paper and through my mouth can make someone laugh is great,” Viskup said.
As part of the ‘Future Legends of Comedy’ shows at the Funny Bone on Wednesday nights, Viskup is among a number of rising comics who are given a five to seven minute set.
With the limited time, Viskup still has a lot to say and for her routine she sticks with what she knows will work and tries to include something new.
A special memory for Viskup is the first time she ever stepped on stage, which was at Joker’s and part of a contest voted on by the audience which included 24 of her girlfriends, “And my husband,” she said.
As a surprise, Viskup’s niece flew in from New York and her sister sent flowers. Each of these helped Viskup make it to the second night of competition and she was encouraged by club owner Lisa Grigsby to keep it up, after being eliminated.
“My own HBO special will probably beat that out eventually,” Viskup laughed, but for now it’s atop her list.
A wife to her husband Frank for 16 years, and mother to son Frankie, 10; and daughter Lindsey, five; Viskup is highly devoted to her family and thankful for their endless support. If not for her husband Frank taking care of the kids on nights she performs she wouldn’t be able to do so, she said.
Viskup’s routine is PG rated as she doesn’t see the need for four letter words to be funny.
To see an expression of her thoughts and the surface of much of her material, check out her online Blog at
www.thegirloutofbrooklyn.blogspot.com.
You may also treat yourself to a night of laughs by going to see Viskup perform at the Funny Bone, located at the Greene, 8900 Kingsridge Drive in Dayton for the Future Legends Show.
On most Wednesday nights Viskup takes the stage. Shows starts at 7:30 p.m. and seating an hour before.
Reservations are suggested, call 429-LAFF.
As for her future in the business, Viskup doesn’t have any specific goals, is just enjoying the experience.
“I’m just on a ride, don’t know where it’s going but will keep at it as long as its fun,” she said.
Be part of the laughter which makes the journey so delightful for Viskup and all who get to hear her.
