The 2024 Aspen Laugh Festival announces lineup

The lineup for the 2024 Aspen Laugh Festival held at Wheeler Opera House, which runs Feb. 21 through 24, will include the comedic brilliance of Patton Oswalt, Beth Stelling, Patti Harrison, and Reggie Watts.

Festival passes and single tickets go on sale Jan. 18, 2024, at noon at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office (970.920.5770/ aspenshowtix.com). The Wheeler Opera House is located at 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen.

Patton Oswalt, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21

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With a career spanning comedy specials, television, and film, Oswalt continues to leave a mark on the entertainment industry. His recent Netflix special, “We All Scream,” not only marked his directorial debut, but also earned him a Grammy nomination. His versatile talent extends to the big screen, with standout performances in films like “Young Adult,” for which he received a Critics Choice Award nomination, and “Big Fan,” earning him critical acclaim and a Gotham Award nomination.

In the realm of television, he has graced audiences with memorable roles on iconic shows such as “Parks and Recreation,” earning him a TV Critics Choice Award, and “The King of Queens,” where he played Spence for nine seasons. His voice work in animations – including Remy in Pixar’s Oscar winner “Ratatouille” and Max in “The Secret Life of Pets 2” – has solidified him as a sought-after talent in the industry. Oswalt’s comedic prowess has not gone unnoticed, with multiple Grammy and Emmy nominations, including a win for “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special” for his sixth comedy special, “Talking for Clapping.” 

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Beth Stelling, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22

With her one-hour stand-up special, “If You Didn’t Want Me Then,” currently streaming on Netflix, Beth Stelling showcases her comedic prowess and storytelling finesse. Originating from Chicago, she quickly rose to prominence, earning the title of “Best Stand-up Comedian in Chicago” by The Chicago Reader in 2010. A mere three years into her comedy career, she became a New Face of Comedy at Montreal’s renowned Just for Laughs Festival.

In 2011, she made a mark in Los Angeles where she seamlessly transitioned from making her late-night TV debut on “Conan” to releasing her debut album, “Sweet Beth.” Her comedic talent caught the eye of Jimmy Kimmel, leading to a performance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” after he witnessed her stand-up at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. Her journey continued with her Comedy Central half-hour special in Boston, recognized as one of the “Best Stand-up Specials of 2015” by Vulture. Her Netflix special, part of “The Standups” series, received critical acclaim, prompting HBO Max to feature her first-hour stand-up special, “Girl Daddy,” produced by Conan O’Brien and Team Coco, earning praise from The New York Times as “The Best Debut Special of the year.”

Beyond the stage, she has showcased her versatility as a writer on various projects, including “I Love You, America” with Sarah Silverman and HBO’s “Crashing.” Her podcast, “We Called Your Mom,” co-hosted with her mom Diane, has gained popularity on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. As a go-to hire for punch-ups on feature films, Beth’s comedic genius extends to the big screen, highlighted by her role as Ms. Fish on Peacock’s comedy “Rutherford Falls.” 

Patti Harrison, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23

Prepare for laughter as Patti Harrison, the rising star of comedy. Currently captivating audiences in the Sundance hit comedy “Theater Camp,” her star continues to rise with outstanding performances in notable films like “The Lost City” and Nikole Beckwith’s “Together Together,” earning her a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.

Hailing from rural Ohio, Patti made her mark in the NYC comedy scene and quickly gained recognition with her sociopathic character Ruthie on Hulu’s “Shrill” and appearances on popular shows like “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson,” “High Maintenance,” and “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.” As a versatile talent, she’s written for series like “Big Mouth” on Netflix and voiced characters in Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

Her comedic brilliance extends to the small screen, with current and upcoming appearances on HBO Max’s “Made for Love,” Disney+’s “She Hulk,” and notable film projects like Netflix’s “Electric State” and the independent film “Turn Me On.” 

Reggie Watts, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Get ready for a mind-bending finale as Reggie Watts, the internationally-renowned musician/comedian/writer/actor, takes center stage to close the Aspen Laugh Festival 2024. Widely recognized for his role as the bandleader on CBS’ “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” he seamlessly blurs the lines between music and comedy, delivering 100% improvised performances that leave audiences in awe.

Recently making waves as the DJ at the 2021 Emmy Awards, he continues to push boundaries. His first Netflix special, “Spatial,” received massive critical acclaim, with The New York Times hailing it as “a giddy rush of escapist nonsense” and dubbing Watts “the most influential absurdist in comedy today.” A solo performer with a unique musical/comedy fusion, he has led sold-out headlining tours in the U.S. and Europe, gracing stages at renowned festivals such as Bonnaroo, SXSW, and Just For Laughs.

In 2020, he launched his content app, WattsApp, providing a techno-savvy glimpse into his life and work. The app features original content, including the show “Droneversations,” where he interviews guests filmed by drones. His comedic journey began with his debut special, “Why Shit So Crazy?” on Comedy Central Records, followed by the critically acclaimed “Reggie Watts: A Live At Central Park.” His memoir, “Great Falls, MT,” published by Penguin’s Tiny Reparations imprint, adds another dimension to his multifaceted career.

Born in Germany, raised in Montana, and currently residing in Los Angeles, Watts promises a finale that transcends the ordinary.