Me and my wife Kim were featured in Larchmont Buzz Local News for our Backyard Comedy Series.
It’s a great article all about what we’re doing. I’ll include the whole article below, but you can also click here to read it directly on their website.
A huge thanks to Neil Vacchiano for writing this awesome article.
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The Backyard Comedy Series
Written by Neil Vacchiano. Originally published on Larchmont Buzz Local News last January 3, 2025.
It’s Wednesday night in Larchmont. I’m at the venue of a private comedy show I’ve been hearing rumblings about all over town.
Sitting across from me are Dan and Kim Lerman. And we are in their backyard, just a block from Larchmont Blvd.
I observe my surroundings and take a moment to appreciate the clear and concise description of the show that is: The Backyard Comedy Series.
The Hosts
I met Dan and Kim a few weeks earlier at a dinner party. My brain intuitively nicknamed him Comedy Dan upon meeting, and I’ll refer to him as that going forward because I have (some) free will when I click my fingers on this keyboard.
I’ll tell you a little bit about Comedy Dan and Kim, the hosts of this private show in Larchmont. Kim grew up in Calabasas and now works in tech. Comedy Dan grew up in New York and is a Psychology professor – and if you know me, this naturally redirects the conversation. But we refocus. There will be other times to ironically pick his mind on –”what is mind?”
The origins of the show go back to 2009 you could say, when the couple met. Kim was the stage manager of a play that Dan was acting in – a foundation that would later aid in the show’s development and the success it has garnered over the last couple of years.
A Pandemic Story
I self-rate the venue as exemplary, the perfect setting to social distance and listen to comedy amidst a pandemic, which brings Dan to a natural point to speak on the show’s establishment.
The couple settled in Larchmont in late 2022 and soon after, they received news of the unexpected passing of Dan’s grandfather. He had been battling Alzheimer’s, which they believe was exacerbated by the profound loneliness he experienced in quarantine during the pandemic. The loss impacted Dan and Kim, underscoring the devastating effects of prolonged isolation.
As they navigated the grief with the awareness that so many other people and their families were being affected by this, they decided they wanted to put something together locally where people could safely begin to come back together in person.
The idea for The Backyard Comedy Series was born from this desire – not just to entertain, but to bring people together, fostering the kind of human connection that Dan and Kim seek to create.
Building Community
But the project quickly blossomed into a hot-spot event in the neighborhood which has been deemed a ‘comedy networking party’ due to its unique format and industry crowd.
These days, the show generally sells out within a week of tickets being offered – mainly to Larchmont locals, the majority of whom walk to the show.
In classic Larchmont community fashion, the show kicks off a little different than typical crowd work. Instead, they open with ice breakers, giving everyone at the show a chance to meet their neighbors. Comedy Dan’s favorite is: ‘What’s your favorite vice?’
I pause to glance down to my Zyn container, then answer – referencing Andrew Huberman’s take on the potential health benefits of minor daily nicotine consumption.
Back to the show. For those worried about public speaking, I’ll note the ice breaker isn’t an elaborate oratory exercise, it is just to the group sitting beside you.
And while the show has amassed prevalence in the village, at the heart of the series is a commitment to giving back. Kim, who handles the show’s marketing, works alongside Comedy Dan to raise funds for Hilarity for Charity, an organization founded by Seth Rogen that supports Alzheimer’s care, research, and awareness.
The Lerman’s personal connection to this cause makes the series not only an entertaining evening but one with heart and meaning that serves tribute to the legacy of Dan’s grandfather.
The series showcases a range of performers – from local comedians to household names including Chad Kroeger, J.T Parr, Al Lubel, Zavior Phillips and The Quiz Daddy, Scott Rogowsky to name a few.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL…
Larchmont’s Own SNL
Think of the Backyard Comedy Series as your local Larchmont Saturday Night Live, just not on Saturday nights.
They generally have a musical act perform, some sketch comedy, clowns, you name it. And of course, in neighborly fashion, they end the show right at 10pm to respect the noise ordinances.
And oh yea, they serve miso soup and hot chocolate in the winter months.
Watch The Show
Speaking of which, the next show will be this January 16th and a few names in the line-up are Willie Simon, Brittany Ross, Jonathan Kite and Dan Ahdoot.
That being said, you never really know what names might show up to perform..
They generally put tickets for sale two weeks prior to the show and sell out quick – given there is only space for 80 people to sit comfortably on their own blankets and chairs in the backyard.
If you’d like to get on the list for tickets or if you’re a local performer and you’d like to reach Comedy Dan and Kim you can message them on Instagram (@backyardcomedyla) or sign up for notifications HERE.