Stand-up comedy is one of my favorite forms of entertainment, mostly because of the storytelling involved. Comedy, especially the kind performed in front of a live audience rather than delivered in written form, requires a unique talent, one which I enthusiastically admire but sadly do not possess.

The source of the comedy does not concern me; whether it come from a live performance or streaming from Netflix online. I am perfectly content sitting back and laughing until my sides ache.

I had attended JD's Comedy Café on 615 E. Brady St. several times prior to its closing. The first time I was on a blind date, which I found out the hard way is like eating Mexican food on a first date; way too messy and self-consciousness-inducing to do in front of a stranger.

While you keel over with laughter at the racy religious or political slurs, your date will no doubt straighten up in her seat next to you, arms folded across her chest mentally condemning you as a bigot.

Needless to say, it is a recipe for a disastrously awkward evening that will more than likely result in the lack of a returned phone call.

After that uncomfortable date, I returned to JD's with other groups of long-time friends and always left feeling satisfied. Although in my many visits I felt the facility itself always ached for a renovation.

When the new owners announced the grand opening, I swung by on Wednesday night's open-mic night to check out the new digs.

The building layout has not altered greatly, but the inside and out has received a new coat of paint and the tables are updated. Luckily, the stench of millions of cigarettes smoked over the years has also vanished.

This particular amateur night encourages aspiring local and regional comics to take the stage for anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes. Normally the line-up for the night is based on experience; starting with the novices and ending with a longer segment from a professional comic.

The first few comics that crawl on stage, fumble with dirty slips of scribbled upon paper. There are several long unnecessary silences, but as the talent progresses so does the confidence and competence of the comics throughout the night.

I entered the venue, fully anticipating a few (if not many) uneasy moments as the beginners practiced their skits on a live audience.

Surprisingly, not a single performer had any noticeable issues. One after another strutted into the spotlight and had the crowd hooting in seconds. At one point, I had been laughing so continuously, that my cheeks began to cramp from the perpetual smiling. Between comics I made the "kissing fish" face to try to relax my face muscles, but it was without much luck because before I could take a breath I found myself cracking up once again at the new antics in front of me.

The new owners of Milwaukee's Comedy Café have definitely stepped up the level of talent, and considering Wednesday nights have free admission I can guarantee I'll be back again soon.