Lakewood priest headlines two sold-out comedy shows in church basement

Father Witold Kaczmarzyk left the sanctuary for the stage in Lakewood, Colorado, to headline two sold-out stand-up comedy shows in his church basement. The Catholic priest performed for an audience of 540 people on Friday night, marking his first time performing live comedy.

The performance drew a large crowd after a parishioner posted a photo of Kaczmarzyk riding a scooter to church earlier this summer. That image spread across the internet and turned the priest into a social media sensation. Kaczmarzyk said his Facebook page now receives two million views per month.

The priest admitted the experience was stressful. He told the audience that he was shaking and wondering what he was doing with his life. He contrasted this feeling with his Sunday duties, where he leads mass for hundreds of parishioners without nervousness. He said he usually tells himself to just do it.

Kaczmarzyk shared that he was a shy student in high school and college who often hid from people. He now uses that confidence on stage. During the show, he told the crowd that his father did not think he was funny. He also mentioned his daily routine, noting that he fills the sanctuary on Sundays but fills the basement on Friday nights.

The audience responded with laughter and a standing ovation. Kaczmarzyk said the scooter helped build his online audience but could not help him on stage. He relied solely on his material and his ability to connect with the room. The event concluded with the priest earning applause from the skeptical and supportive fans alike.