Dead Alewives

The Dead Alewives was an improvisational comedy troupe during the 1980s and 1990s from Milwaukee. They did not get a lot of press during their active life, but some of the group's individual members went on to become noteworthy since the group's breakup.

The Dead Alewives began as a splinter group from the Milwaukee-based national comedy organization, ComedySportz. The split occurred out of a desire to do a less family-oriented, more uncensored style of improv than the "clean" variety offered by ComedySportz. The group took its name from the local phenomenon of multitudes of dead alewife fish washing up on the shore of Lake Michigan during summers in the mid-1980s. Its shows always featured music from local bands during their set breaks.

The Alewives began performing in the ComedySportz theater space in Milwaukee's Third Ward district, but called many Milwaukee area theaters home during almost 12 years of live performances. Other venues that played host to their shows included Thai Joe's, The Avalon Theatre, and the Miramar Theatre, which is where they wound up their weekly live shows in the late 1990s.

The Dead Alewives approached widespread recognition many times, but never seemed to enjoy the push that would launch them to national prominence. Their Dungeons and Dragons sketch from the comedy CD Take Down the Grand Master made the rounds on the Internet during the late 1990s. The short was also one of the most requested on the syndicated Dr. Demento radio program.Entertainment Weekly once reported that the Dead Alewives had been contacted about a television sketch-comedy series, but it ultimately fell through.

The Dead Alewives ceased their weekly live performances in the late 1990s, and the individual members all pursued other interests.

Francis Montgomery "Mondy" Carter — Mondy Carter was a founding member of the troupe. He lived in Milwaukee for many years and worked as an actor in the city's live theater industry. He moved with his family to Asheville, North Carolina where he hoped to continue to work on theater projects with his wife, Karen Stobbe.

Robert "Bo" Johnson — a founding member, currently lives in Milwaukee, and works in theaters in the area. He plays rhythm guitar with Milwaukee-based pop band Random Maxx.

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