Physical comedian and family entertainer Kenny Ahern will present his 60-minute family show, To Laugh is to Live!, on Saturday, June 6, at 2 pm at the iconic, newly renovated Harbor Theater in Two Harbors.
Kenny specializes in physical comedy and audience participation, creating a show that is fun for all ages. His main show isn’t just about gags; he views laughter as a way to build a joyful sense of community. “My goal for every show is to leave people happier than they were when they came in,” Kenny said.
With a show fashioned in the style of old Vaudeville, from its set design to its tone, Kenny is excited to be performing at the Harbor Theater. He said, “I am happy partnering with the theater to promote its reopening by Matthew Unzeitig, who bought it in 2024. The importance of a multi-use theater space whose mission is to serve all and is embraced by community volunteers is more important than ever. For an entertainer, these are often the most rewarding places to perform.”
Kenny should know. He has toured internationally and performed at various venues, including theaters, fairs, festivals, and schools. His career began in 1983, almost by accident, while he attended college in Virginia. His English professor, knowing that Kenny had some interest in the field, suggested he audition for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College so he could write a research paper about the experience. He ended up being accepted into the Clown College and turned it into a lifelong career.
While earning his Bachelor’s in Fun Arts degree from the Ringling Brothers Clown College, he met his future wife, Brenda, who is also a graduate of the Ringling Clown College. After five years with the Big Top, they moved to Brenda’s hometown of La Crosse, WI, in 1989. Brenda went on to become an elementary school teacher, and Kenny became a freelance entertainer. He’s never looked back. The couple raised a son and a daughter who now live a reasonable distance from home with their spouses, and they cherish their almost two-year old grandson.
Beyond the circus, Kenny has studied with some of the biggest names in physical comedy, including Tony Award winner Bill Irwin and Christopher Bayes, the head of Physical Comedy at the Yale School of Drama. He has worked as a consultant and performer for Cirque du Soleil since 2014.
Over the years, Kenny has performed in 12 countries and in every U.S. state except Hawaii and Alaska. He’s brightened the stage at the White House, the World Expo in Japan, and the Moscow Circus School in Russia.
After four decades, he acknowledges he’s not as nimble as he was in his 20s. But he’s still trim, fit, and fun to talk with. And he can still balance a ladder on his chin, play the saxophone while balancing on a rolling globe, and leave everyone from toddlers to grandparents laughing and wanting more.
The most enjoyable time for him is being on stage. “I’m totally focused on the audience when I’m on stage,” he said.
The Harbor Theater, originally called the State Theater, was built not long before World War II. It suffered during the movie-theater downturn of the 1980s, was briefly revived in 2014, and was nearly lost to water damage until Unzeitig stepped in. Bringing a performer like Kenny, with his vaudeville-inspired set, is a full-circle moment for a building born near the end of the vaudeville era.
“To Laugh is to Live!” is a mustsee family experience in the beautifully restored Harbor Theater. At just $5 for children and $10 for adults, it’s a rare opportunity to see a dazzling display of world-traveled comedy antics, hilarious physical stunts, and genuine heart—right here in our own backyard.
