Eleven comics for Comedy Moshpit stood on the basement stage of Be Here Now for the last time Wednesday night.
The show marked the last time the Moshpit will perform at the venue, after some controversy between the two resulted in a break.
Be Here Now’s Facebook page said Moshpit’s manager, Kyle DeWees, was withholding gas money from out-of-town comics, which DeWees denies.
“If I had an agreement with somebody, I paid them. That’s how I do things,” DeWees said. “If a comic came to me and said, ‘Hey, I can’t do your show unless I get gas money,’ I’m going to figure out a way to get them gas money.”
Noel Quizalla, who has performed stand-up with the Moshpit for a year and a half, said the break reminds him of a bad relationship.
“There’s hurt feelings on both sides,” he said. “It was great for three years, then something got messy. It’s a breakup. It happens.”
Be Here Now said they did not want to comment on the break with Comedy Moshpit.
DeWees said the Moshpit will do podcasts for the rest of summer and will resume shows in the fall, in an effort to start breaking new ground.
They have not decided on a venue yet, but DeWees said there are several prospects.
“For me, it does suck, the fact that it’s not going to be there anymore, but I really look forward to finding a new venue,” he said.
Dave Lightfoot has regularly attended Moshpit events for two years and is in their Hall of Fame as a fan participant, said a change in venue could be an opportunity for the Moshpit to expand. He said before it had to compete with other bars and events in the Village.
“With this unique atmosphere, with how the comedy is and acts are, I think it will be good to move elsewhere,” Lightfoot said.
DeWees said he does not want the break to develop into mudslinging and prefers to look to the Moshpit’s future, such as expanding to road shows and regular podcasts.
“It’s going to be a change, but it’s going to be a welcome change,” he said. “It is what you make it, and a lot of people came out and made this a great show, made it one of the three best shows in Indiana. Indiana’s turned into a hot bed for comedy recently.”
Ball State alumnus Trevor Smith has followed Moshpit since it began and eagerly anticipates some of the changes.
“I had no idea about their podcasts- I think it’s really cool,” he said. “I’m actually really excited for that.”
Smith said one of his favorite memories at the Moshpit was when his girlfriend won a free T-shirt.
“I remember they had a chugging contest, and they gave them really warm beer they had left out all night. It was stale, but no one knew that until they got up there and were chugging it,” he said.
Smith’s girlfriend wore the T-shirt she won to the show Wednesday night.
Lightfoot fondly remembered the 100th show and the roast the Moshpit did for co-founder Jake Lentz as a farewell.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to send him off than have a main staple of comedy- a roast- for him. We had just a whole slew of comedians who were friends of Jake,” he said.
DeWees is staying positive for the dedicated fans of Comedy Moshpit.
“Thanks [to fans] for coming out and supporting the show,” he said. “The second we get a new venue, come back out- we’re going have a lot more fun. It’s definitely not done.”
