VIDEO: McCurdy's plans move to downtown Sarasota

Les and Pam McCurdy are moving their comedy theatre closer to the action.

The action of downtown, that is. The couple’s well-known comedy club, currently in a strip mall at 3333 N. Tamiami Trail, will bring the laughs to downtown Sarasota. According to Les McCurdy, the goal is to have McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre open by late March or early April at 1923 Ringling Blvd.

Formerly Shaner’s Pizzeria, the 7,100-square-foot space has a full kitchen, which allows McCurdy’s the option of expanding its menu. There will be a new area called The Green Room, which will host open mic nights and other live performances. The lounge area includes a bar that patrons will pass through before heading into the showroom. The showroom will seat 200, with a triangle-shaped stage.

Les McCurdy says patrons should prepare for the same quality acts they have come to expect. “Sarasota and the Bradenton area is a very unique area, it really is. And it’s highly sophisticated and very unique, but we’re pretty savvy to that. And we’re looking forward to Rosie O’Donnell,” says McCurdy. “And we got some surprises coming up, too. I don’t want to really announce them, there are going to be some celebrities coming to town that have not been here before, for sure from each generation. So we’re excited about all that.”