The Troy Record (July 09, 2011) - 5 Questions - By: Rebecca Eppelmann
Loudonville-native Greg Aidala is celebrating his 10th year of performing comedy this year and his fifth year of his comedy showcase “The Brew Ha-Ha.” On July 16, he — along with comedians Jesse Joyce and Clayton Fletcher — will perform at the Holiday Inn Express in Latham at 8 p.m. Tickets, available at the door, are $15.

Q How did you decide on the Holiday Inn as a venue?

A An affiliate of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites attended my showcase at The Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, this past April. He was really impressed with the variety of professional comedic talent and within a week I had a meeting with him and we set up the July date.

Q How do you know & how long have you known Jesse Joyce & Clayton Fletcher?

A I met Jesse Joyce 8 years ago on a couple of shows we were booked to perform on. Within a year of our meeting, he got me booked on my first show in New York City. The host of that show was Clayton Fletcher. It means a great deal to me to have my two oldest friends in comedy world on the bill with me for this show.

Q Why should people come to the show?

A I feel people should come out to the show because it's going to be awesome. This show will be the official start to my 10-year anniversary of being in show business, and it's also the 5-year anniversary of my comedy showcase, “The Brew Ha-Ha.” What better way to spend a July night than at a comedy show. (And if the audience behaves during the show, I just may take everyone out for ice cream.)

Q In your 10th year of performing comedy, what's the biggest lesson you've learned?

A Don't try to tell jokes while eating a tuna sandwich. Kidding. I'd say the biggest lesson I've learned is not to give up. It hasn't been an easy road by any stretch of the imagination, but I keep moving forward. I take that attitude with all aspects of my life. Never give up and good things will happen.

Q The typical anniversary gift for 10 years is tin or aluminum. So if the world were to give you a 10-year comedy anniversary gift, what would you want it to be?

A My own television talk show. I would also infuse the whole tin/aluminum aspect of the 10-year anniversary “gift” — and by that I mean, I would give each audience member a tin cup so they could pass them around for donations. It's not what Oprah used to give her audience members, but hey, it's the thought that counts...and it's a tough economy.