Rick Wharton - The Comedian
Rick Wharton is a versatile comedian who has performed in all styles of comedy. In his early days, Wharton co-founded the cult fave popular sketch comedy troupe Plead the 5th. Wharton' talent got him to a spot on both touring and mainstage at Toronto's famous university of comedy, The Second City(1993-95), where performances alternated between improv, sketch and musical comedy formats. Rick went on to develop a unique pure improv show, Rick's Improv Café(95- 2000) which enjoyed a very successful five year run at the Laugh Resort to large crowds and rave reviews. From time to time ..Rick also suits up and performs in the stand up clubs and for corporate functions.
Most notable is Wharton's award for "The Next Jerry
Seinfeld" (1998) by The Movie Network (TMN). The many sides to Rick's comedic stylings have also been used in television, film and corporate comedy.
Rick is branching out again...he is now working on a new comedy CD which will be released soon.
THE SECOND CITY
In 1993 Rick was asked to audition for Toronto's "Second City" where he performed with both the touring and mainstage companies.
"Rick Wharton on Stage...Rick Wharton was back in town, this time as part of the Second City Revue. I used to think he was funny when he was working with MCA, but the guy has developed into a laugh-a-minute force and one-liners.
He was on stage at The Firehall for a weekend gig with five other equally funny characters; Albert Howell, Janet Vandergraf, Teresa Pavanik, Carolyn Meehan and Jack Mosshammer. They also did a really well done
improv bit, using suggestions from the audience. ... the audience loved it."
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"First-Rate performance" The Daily Gleaner, Fredericton, N.B. |
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"A sold out crowd clapped and crooned." Gravenhurst Banner |
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"funny, inventive and entertaining" The Hamilton Spectator |
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"cast members had the audience in stitches." Bracebridge Examiner |
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"masters of improv." The Cornwall Standard-Freeholder |
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"unpredictable comic flair" The Whig-Standard, Kingston, Ont. |
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"the Second City gang was rolling us in the aisles."
Peterborough Examiner |
PLEAD THE FIFTH
Rick is no stranger to the comedy scene. Co-founder of the popular cult comedy troupe
"Plead the Fifth," he toured some of the scariest clubs and restaurants for three years.
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"These guys are a riot...The Next Kids In the Hall.
Wharton is the glue who glides through scene to scene with a natural gift and presence."
Harris Rosen - PEACE Magazine, Seneca College |
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"Young talented - a perfectly balanced trio" Toronto Star |
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"A well written executed briskly paced mixed show of skits, and games and music"
Eye Magazine |
STAND UP/IMPROV - (THE NEXT JERRY SEINFELD)
Rick was the recipient of The Movie Network's "Find The New Seinfeld" Contest in a noisy, hotly-contested joke-off at the BCE Place Atrium.
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"Wharton's talent is titanic ....awesome standup routine which led him to win the next Jerry Seinfeld contest.....Wharton has revealed enormous heart and dedication." |
RICK'S IMPROV CAFE
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"Local improv instigator Rick Wharton has mutiple personalities - he's a veritable comic Sybil."
Daryl Jung - NOW magazine |
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"The best improv show I've seen...Exemplified improv's most attractive qualities"
Andrew Clark - The Toronto Star |
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"where the alternative audience has been hiding..."
Jim Slotek, The Toronto Sun
"very cool...the place to be....Wharton wears more hats than Heda
Gabler." Daryl Jung, NOW Magazine |
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"Wharton puts on a great show, not only as producer but as performer....tough to do"
CFRB |
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"Wharton is witty, bright, effervescent, not pretentious, with a dash of cute."
Rory O'Shea |
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"A must see, great show" Humble Howard, CFNY |
CORPORATE
Rick has performed in over 200 industrial corporate events, both solo performer and with a comedy troupe. The shows have been very well received and add a comedic audience-centred flair to private functions.
Visit the Corporate and Testimonials pages for further information.
UPCOMING
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Soon to be released - a new Comedy CD: The Life and Times of Soupy and Shecky |
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