MIDDLETOWN – Live standup professional comedy in Lake County continues to enjoy its recent revival and Twin Pine Casino in Middletown is the center of attention this summer.

Comics from around the country, including such names as Sinbad and “Chicago” Steve Barkley have performed at the “Comedy Corner” in the Manzanita Bar and Grill, located in the newly remodeled Twin Pine Casino and hotel.

The twice-monthly programs include Bay Area comics as well as nationally known touring comedians.

The casino recently announced that they are expanding the program and beginning this week will shift to a more traditional three-person comedic format.

Local comic Marc Yaffee will open the program and host the Thursday, Aug. 13, program that will feature Bay Area comic Candy Churilla.

Shows begin at 7 p.m. and are free.

Rubber-faced Mickey Joseph is the headliner. Joseph has performed in Lake County several times in recent years and is a regular performer in Las Vegas. He also toured with other well-known actors and comics in the stage production of “The Rat Pack,” in which Joseph played Joey Bishop.

Joseph has an amazing ability to mimic other famous – and some infamous – real-life characters as well as some of Hollywood’s most beloved stars. His Sgt. Bilko impersonation brings back memories some thought long forgotten.

Future shows will continue biweekly with the next show scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27, when Christian Reyes will open. Adam Stone will be the feature act with Rick D’Elia in the headliner slot.

Yaffee will return in the headliner's spot Sept. 10 with Dave Bothun as the feature act. A Lake County News article about Marc can be viewed at www.lakeconews.com/content/view/2009/764/ .

A special all-female program is in the works for late September.

More details maybe found on the Twin Pine Web site or by calling 1-800-564-4872.