Out of their comfort zone: Comics riff on audience suggestions at Batavia’s Comedy Vault

After doing stand-up for several years, Vinny Cerone and Brando Harris wanted to get out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves and their fellow comedians.

In talking to Liz Valaitis, owner of Batavia’s Comedy Vault, they proposed a new monthly showcase titled Bits and Buckets. It consists of 15-minute prepared sets that conclude with each comedian pulling a topic suggested by the audience from a bucket and riffing on it.

“We didn’t want the same old comedy show,” said Harris, 30. “We wanted the audience to feel they’re really part of the show.”

While making up a joke on the spot might unnerve a less experienced comic, Harris says the comedians they book “have a way of turning anything into something funny.”

Cerone says after nearly a year hosting the showcase, they know which comedians “are good off the cuff and which are married to their material.”

Cerone, 24, admits he’s the latter.

“I’m married to my act,” said the Batavia native. “Part of why I wanted to do this is to improve my own improv ability.”

While some comedians opt to riff on bucket suggestions during their time on stage, most perform material that’s been honed and audience-tested. That guarantees the audience a good show, Cerone said. The impromptu riff is a bonus.

And not just for fans. Cerone and Harris say some comedians subsequently worked the material sparked by Bits and Buckets into their sets.

Suggestions typically involve the behavior of kids or spouses, trends like the popular teen slang phrase “6-7” or minor annoyances, Harris said.

Nothing is off-limits, Cerone said, adding he and Harris don’t check or censor the topics submitted. What suggestions they use is up to the discretion of the comedian, who can reject a topic and pull another from the bucket.

Audience feedback has been positive, Cerone said, adding that patrons enjoy the loose nature of the show.

“It really is a good time. We haven’t had one bad show,” Harris agreed. Bits and Buckets “pulls them (the audience) in and makes them feel part of it.”

“That’s what a good show is,” he said.

• • •

Bits and Buckets

Showtime: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., showtime is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30

Where: Comedy Vault, 18 E. Wilson St., Batavia, (630) 454-4174, comedyvaultbatavia.com

Tickets: $20