Crackers Comedy Club is a location with 40+ years of history in Indianapolis, and been on my bucket…read morelist since I first discovered comedy. They finally got back to me after a few months to perform an open mic night. I was stoked, and hadn't done a venue this big since pre-COVID. As an Indy native, my parents first date was at Crackers, so it was important to me for the sentimental value to be sharing a stage that had previously contained so many greats.
That said, saying management has lost track of their priorities would be an understatement. Specifically Brad Rigler, the manager/self-proclaimed headliner for the night. He kicked me off stage 2 minutes into my set for the "F word" at an Open Mic night. Fair enough, I showed up a few minutes late and didn't read the rules, as I'd done open mics before. And Brad didn't tell me the rules when I asked prior to my set, just where to sit and where my friends can buy tickets.
I would have gladly cleaned up my set, but Brad didn't give me or any of the other 4 comics he personally kicked off a chance to adapt. At this point, it was fair. Rules are rules, I understand places have reputations to maintain and cursing is unfortunately used often as a crutch in comedy.
Then Brad, again, the manager, made his intentions clear as the closer with 8 minutes of the most uncomfortable set I've ever seen. Making rape/racist jokes to my friends in the audience. He then proceeds to use the F word himself on an audience member's girlfriend after some deserved heckling. The mental gymnastics Brad had to do to justify his behavior is the only noteworthy talent he has, and I applaud him for that.
Let me be clear: I don't think there is a "line" in comedy. You're either funny or you're not and the audience will let you know it! That's how we improve our sets. Brad was not funny, and took his weak, sensitive ego out on his prisoners for the night.
The silence after his "punch lines" was the loudest silence I've heard in my 7 years of comedy, his transitions were sloppy, and his jokes hacky/recycled. I guess you could say a perverted racist pedophile was not our "cup of tea".
We were all uncomfortable and wanted to leave, but couldn't because Brad/management only had one server in an audience of 100+ people. Which would make sense as I think Brad knows people wouldn't stay for his set otherwise.
Well done Brad, you clever minx.
We were trapped. About 10+ people left during his set because they were lucky enough to be checked out early.
We didn't get to order our drinks until halfway through the show. The server, Emma, did the best she could, and she deserves better than this disgrace of an establishment. Brad made sure to make a joke about how he wants to bang his own employee Emma's mom. No wonder no one wants to work here.
Me, my friends, and audience members felt robbed. My friends paid for tickets to your club, bought the 2 drink minimum, and came all the way out just to witness an immediate slap in the face to its own comics, employees, and customers.
Please reevaluate your priorities Crackers Comedy Club. Give the audience what they want, and not what you want. The disappearing act of all professionalism will very unfortunately keep a lot of Indianapolis from returning.
Brad Rigler, I hope you eventually learn your lesson. I hope you realize the hypocrisy and counter-intuitive nature to censoring comedy at a 21+ club. (There were a lot of college kids that weren't getting ID'd, so that's a plus for all you underage comics and comedy fans.)
If you are going to hold your "open mic" comics to a higher standard, show character to do the same for yourself.
Enjoy this picture of Brad so you know who to avoid. Thank you for nothing and can't wait to take my set somewhere it's appreciated. Hope you change and learn from your mistakes, but not holding my breath, as you are no longer worth my time.
Love,
Chris Merz