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SPRINGFIELD \u2014 It\u2019s not too hard to figure out where the name ROAR! Comedy Club, located in the beautifully refurbished circa-1895 State Armory on the MGM Springfield campus, originated from.<\/p>\n
After all, the MGM Casino logo itself boasts a stylized version of a lion, and a lion is known to often roar loudly. Audiences at the comedy club are expected to roar out loud with laughter as well.<\/p>\n
The ROAR! club\u2019s line-up for 2026 kicks off this weekend with its first show on Friday featuring Katie Arroyo.<\/p>\n
A New England-based comic with roots in the Boston scene, she is a standout from the Boston Comedy Festival and the Rogue Island Comedy Festival. Described as \u201caggressively funny and fearlessly honest\u201d on the casino\u2019s website, Arroyo can be heard roasting the absurdities of lesbian weddings or cracking wise jokes about her flirtation with depression. She tours internationally with viral sensation Pinky Patel and is currently lighting up stages alongside Natasha Leggero, an American stand-up comedian, actress and writer who rose to fame after appearing as the host of the MTV reality television series \u201cThe 70s House.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cHaving comedy clubs like ROAR! and other clubs is important to both comedians and audiences. It is a venue that is close to home for audiences who don\u2019t have to travel to see quality entertainment. And for us as comedians it provides a creative space for us to develop material and practice our art without having to wait until we hit it big to the point where we are doing movies and big arenas,\u201d Arroyo said.<\/p>\n
Looking back on her journey as a comedian, Arroyo said she believes you realize that you are funny as soon as you get laughs, which happened early on for her.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost comedians will tell you that when they get that first big laugh, they will chase it forever. It became an obsession for me to get a laugh in any situation growing up whether at school or work or college. I always really loved writing and telling stories at parties, and I was obsessed with watching comedians when growing up, never realizing it was a real job you could do,\u201d Arroyo said.<\/p>\n
The comedian, who last appeared at ROAR! in June, often talks about life experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything I talk about in terms of myself is a true personal experience. I identify as bisexual and was previously married to a woman, and I like to talk about the differences between dating men and women and to talk about societal differences in those relationships. I do talk about mental health a lot and everything I talk about is real,\u201d Arroyo said, adding she will also talk about immigration and having been diagnosed with ADHD later in life.<\/p>\n
Since the new year has just begun, Arroyo said she also plans to talk about resolutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to talk about what a mess I am and my plans to fix it and fail doing it. A lot of comedians will tell you that at one time all you had to do was go out and tell jokes. Today you have to edit videos, create content, and have a presence on social media. My resolution is to get better at that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
ROAR! Comedy Club is celebrating its anniversary after having opened on Jan. 3, 2019. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe name ROAR! is unique to us and our brand here in Springfield, but comedy clubs are not unique to MGM. It was our vision from day one to create a high-energy comedy experience that would attract nationally recognized, emerging and local talent,\u201d said Amanda Croteau, director of entertainment for MGM Springfield.<\/p>\n
She added that ROAR! offered the casino the opportunity to create a unique niche that complements their larger entertainment venues such as the Aria Ballroom upstairs from the casino, as well as the MassMutual Center and Symphony Hall.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really cannot find a comedy club as unique as ROAR! when you compare it to other comedy clubs, many of which are tucked away in a basement somewhere. The comedy community is a tight-knit one and we love having established a positive reputation with them,\u201d Croteau said.<\/p>\n
MGM Springfield partners with John Tobin Presents, a Boston-based live comedy production and entertainment company, to bring an eclectic mix of comedians to the stage.<\/p>\n
Ryan Cott, managing partner of John Tobin Presents, noted they \u201ccould not be happier\u201d to begin their seventh year of bringing \u201claughter to the great and hardworking people of Western Massachusetts and the surrounding area.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cROAR! Comedy Club not only brings in national headliners but works very hard to give the well-deserved local comics, such as Katie Arroyo and Rafi Gonzalez, a stage to headline in their own backyards,\u201d Cott said. \u201cFrom the team members on the operation, to the ticketing, to the marketing, to the hotel side. We look forward to another seven years of bringing people into the beautiful casino and having them laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Croteau noted that MGM Springfield is equally enthusiastic about bringing new comedic programming to the casino club. She encouraged people to \u201cstay tuned\u201d to the MGM Springfield website and social media for acts that will be announced as the year continues. <\/p>\n
The laughs continue through Feb. 28 and beyond with these other announced upcoming shows in addition to Arroyo: Jonathan van Halem, Jan. 3; Mike Cannon, Jan. 9-10; Rafi Gozalez, Jan. 16-17; Chris Franjola, Jan. 23-24; Laura Beitz, Jan. 30-31; Mo Mandel, Feb. 6-7; Jeff Dye, Feb. 20-21; and Heather Shaw, Feb. 27-28.<\/p>\n