Comedy Producer, stand-up comedian, and Wimberley homeboy Jack Schutze (pronounced Shoot-zee) is bringing stand-up comedy to Wimberley’s Opera House at 7A Ranch. His show, “Outlaws in the Opera House,” features three seasoned comics: Ryan Shields, Ellis Aych and Jason Johnson. All are regular marquee headliners in Texas and several of the most requested return acts in Schutze’s shows. All know something about growing up in a small town.
Ryan Shields, a small-town Texas alum, says his upbringing provided him with enough material to last a lifetime. Based out of San Antonio, he is known for a smart, lighthearted and honest approach to comedy. He has worked as a voice actor, a film extra and has toured with several major headlining comedy showcases. Shields was a featured act for the Big Little Comedy festival and a finalist in the US Comedy Contest in Los Angeles.
Ellis Aych is an actor and comedian with film credits “Evinced”, “The Good Hearts Club” and “Kahrlton Heights North.” Originally from Louisiana, Aych has been a central Texas resident for most of his life. Schutze says Aych’s style is fun and familiar, much like hanging with an old friend.
Jason Johnson is originally from El Dorado, Arkansas. After two months of utter failure at Arkansas State University, he joined the U. S. Air Force and for the next twenty years fought terrorism, his ex-wife and undiagnosed autism. His observations about life and the lives of those around him are crowd favorites. In 2019 he was a semi-finalist in the Funniest Comic In Texas competition and in 2023 he was a finalist in the Funniest Comic in San Antonio contest.
As the producer for “Outlaws in the Opera House,” Schutze began his own career as a performer three years ago. He is well versed in the basics - premises, tags, bits and chunks - that comics perfect, sometimes for years, to create a successful performance.
Schutze was raised in Austin and Wimberley and “As the youngest of three brothers,” he said, “I learned that making jokes was the only way to get a word in.” Laughing and watching funny movies was a big part of his life and then, around age 13, he discovered stand-up comedy.
“From then on, I devoured everything I could get on the subject, including producing.”
To date, Schutze has produced over 50 shows in Central Texas. In the process of booking more than 200 comics for performances like the free Thursday shows at Roughhouse Brewing, he said, “I found a great lineup to bring to Wimberley.” He credits 7A Ranch for providing a unique venue for the genre.
General admission tickets are $15 for the 90-minute show and seating is on a firstcome, first- served basis. For guests who want guaranteed seats near the stage, VIP tickets are available. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Beer, wine, and canned cocktails are available to purchase. Routines may include adult language, so the program is not suitable for children. For tickets go to Eventbrite.com and key in Outlaws at the Opera House Comedy Showcase. Tickets are also available at the door.
