Updated December 15, 2025, at 10:47 AM.
Pittsburgh’s funniest, mostly queer, comedians want to hear your problems. On Thursday, December 18, Amir Megherhi, Cassi Bruno, Ellen Lundie, Roy Gloeckl, and Tyler Ray Kendrick will address real questions from the audience with honest yet humorous answers.
“No Straight Answers: Holiday Edition” is a festive, unfiltered comedy show in which performers answer audience questions about dating, holiday stress, and more. Participants can either write their questions on paper and place them in a bucket or approach the panel directly to ask.
Gloeckl originated the concept for the show back in June. He said, “Arcade Comedy Theater was looking for some LGBTQ+ material to present during Pride, and I wanted to merge standup comedy and therapy.”
The panel for the first show included Gloeckl, Cassi Bruno (now his co-host), Adam Mazza, and, as the token straight, Mike DiGuglielmo.
Gloeckl is a fresh face on the Pittsburgh comedy scene. In 2023, he took a stand-up comedy class at Bottlerocket Social Hall and never looked back. He has been performing for two and a half years and has been starring with Sydney Washington, Fumi Abe, and local comedians such as Mike Travers, Derek Minto, and Chrissy Costa. He’s been on the Pride Main Stage twice.
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In October 2024, Gloeckl was reminded of his mission in a standup. He said, “A young lady came up to me after my set and thanked me. Reflexively, I said, ‘You’re welcome,’ but I thought it was an unusual response to a bunch of jokes. She went on to say that she had brought her gay bestie to an open mic previously, and there had been so much homophobic content that they left. She was so mortified that she had put him through that, but she said, ‘He would have loved that [Gloeckl’s] set.’”
He added, “That same night, three young bros from Ohio in cowboy boots, big belt buckles, and at least one camo ball cap approached me to tell me how much they loved my set, and our conversation became all about acceptance, love is love, etc. I realized that I am more than just a gay man in the comedy scene. I owe it to myself and my community to represent, openly. If that means that some people will not book me for their shows, then so be it. I am not stuffing my stories in the closet so that a crowd in Nowhere County will accept me.”
Gloeckl is creating safe spaces where comedians and audiences can be themselves. December’s show benefits the Pittsburgh Equality Center. Gloeckl said, “They are raising funds to build a new center. I am collaborating with Ray [Sydney-Smith, President and Board Chair of the Pittsburgh Equality Center], and we have a couple of other comedy-centric events coming up. Stay tuned for that!”
Gloeckl said, “The show has become about sharing everyday experiences, thoughts, and feelings, but also laughter. Real therapy can be scary – and expensive!”
Ellen Lundie, a featured performer who will be doling out advice on the panel, said, “You don’t have to take my advice, but I hope you’ll leave the show with some laughter and extra holiday cheer.”
Co-host Cassi Bruno joked, “I wouldn’t take advice from any of these people, but it’s worth a shot!”
Gloeckl promises that the evening will be a joyful, irreverent night that’s guaranteed to make your season a little brighter (and a lot funnier).
Next up, Gloeckl is looking for a venue for a Naughty Valentine’s Day edition of “No Straight Answers.” Gloeckl said, “If any has a space, hit me up on Insta.”
“No Straight Answers: Holiday Edition” will be at the CoHatch on Pittsburgh’s South Side on Thursday, December 18.