Comedy and tragedy were our first dramatic arts, expressing two sides of humanity’s condition. But at Denver’s legendary Comedy Works, the focus is solely on laughs. And such is the quality of the club that performers accustomed to larger venues in bigger cities carve space in their schedules to keep audiences in stitches both at the downtown Larimer Square location and at the Greenwood Village spot in The Landmark. The stars include Joan Rivers, Jamie Foxx, Kathleen Madigan, and George Lopez, and the lady behind the laughs is Wende Curtis.

Wende Curtis

While a student at Colorado State University, Curtis started as a waitress at the Fort Collins outpost of Comedy Works, which was founded in 1981. The waitress soon moved into managing the clubs and booking acts. Twenty-three years later, the 61-year-old is now sole owner of Comedy Works and shows no signs of stopping.

Comics love Curtis’ thoughtful feedback, but especially appreciate the hospitality. She’s outfitted two whimsically outfitted two-bedroom condos — one near each club — where artists (and their opening act, if they choose) can chill in video arcade-equipped comfort…for free.

“We treat them like our guests,” says Curtis. “My mother and my grandmother were from the South, so there you go. Neighbors moved in and there’s banana bread or there’s a death in the family…here’s a chicken pot pie and what can we do? That’s how I grew up. Not that I’m baking banana bread or a chicken pot pie when [comics] come in, but I want them to feel welcome.”

The care and kindness extend beyond the headliners. “I tell my young comics, ‘We are expensive cocktails and high-priced cheese food without you. That’s right, you. You are the product.’ We must treat them right. So, I give [my staff] permission to treat them well, just as we treat our staff, managers, and guests well, just like they are coming into your home. This is our home. It’s certainly mine.”

The pandemic and subsequent closures shuttered Curtis’ home — along with most other arts venues. “It scared me to my core,” she admits. “This is all I’ve ever done.”

Photo courtesy Comedy Works

But she focuses on the silver lining — the many new fans introduced to comedy during lockdown, when streaming services released lots of specials, podcasts by comedians proliferated — and audiences had time to pay attention. “I feel like [the pandemic] took novices and turned them into fans, and it took fans and turned into superfans,” says Curtis. “Netflix had a whole bunch of comedy specials and, of course, artists weren’t able to travel. And they were doing what they could however they could to express their artform. But they weren’t in small dark comedy clubs, doing live performances, so they were starting podcasts or they were really beefing up their already established podcasts.”

People listening to those podcasts heard comic after comic praising Curtis’ clubs to the point where guests now recognize her in the lobby. “I can be taking tickets, greeting people, checking IDs, and the customer will say ‘Are you the owner?’ or ‘Are you Wende?’ And that’s how they know me, because I’ve asked that question…. Podcasts have made us famous.”

For now, Curtis is focusing on rebuilding her business post-pandemic, while continuing to encourage up-and-coming young comics and the local comedy scene, hosting a “New Talent Night” every Tuesday at the Larimer Square location.

For a full roster of upcoming artists, visit comedyworks.com.