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Mobile comedy venue ‘Rolling Laughs’ rolls to success in first season

Cassandra Simpson sits inside "Rolling Laughs." Photo: Contributed/Cassandra Simpson


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – It’s already the end of the season for a new comedy venue in Springfield.

“Rolling Laughs” was the idea of comedian Cassandra Simpson — a mobile stage made out of an old camper. It was busy during its first summer traveling to a number of locations around the area, featuring comedians and entertainers at a number of spots, and even events for kids.

“It’s just been great,” Simpson said, on the WTAX Morning Newswatch. “Any project that I do, I just tend on focusing on it. This is my project for now, and hopefully it stays my project. It’s been fun.”

Simpson says the last show of the season featuring her and a number of other up and coming comedians will be in two weeks — October 23rd at 7:30 p.m. on the Old State Capitol Plaza downtown, and is free. It’s at least the third time Rolling Laughs has been downtown this year, and to rave reviews.

“I always get compliments, and people are like, ‘I can’t believe you did that.’ I was like, ‘Me, either,'” said Simpson. “People are usually impressed. Sometimes, with a project or anything I build, I worry that people are going to ‘You could have done this,’ or, ‘You could have done that.’ But, this is so new that nobody knows what to say.”

In the meantime, before Rolling Laughs is brought out to play next spring, Simpson will continue to perform. She has a number of upcoming gigs, including one Friday night in Chatham at The Range Bourbon & Brew, and one upcoming at the famous “Zanies” in the Chicago area.

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