Steve Byrne writing and directing a movie about the life of an “Opening Act”

“‪I wrote a film while on the road about starting off as a comic on the road. Now it’s officially happening. Proud to be directing this with an incredible cast and crew.”

So said stand-up comedian Steve Byrne, who previously starred in the TBS sitcom Sullivan & Son from 2012-2014, and now is directing his own movie, The Opening Act, starring Jimmy O. Yang from Silicon Valley.

Filming has begun in Los Angeles, with producers Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley (who have shepherded Byrne since their first Wild West Comedy Tour, and now with Wild West Picture Show Productions). The film has Yang playing Will O’Brien, a new stand-up comedian who gets the chance to MC on the road for his comedy idol, and follows him and them over the course of a weekend.

So, of course, the film has plenty of other comedians in starring and co-starring roles.

Among them? Neal Brennan, Russell Peters, Debby Ryan, Bill Burr, Anjelah Johnson, Tom Segura and Roy Wood Jr.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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