Meet Wil Palumbo | Performing Arts Venue Owner – The Keystone Stage

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wil Palumbo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wil, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
It can’t be done. You can’t do it. It’s impossible.

These are the phrases that in my entire life from a child all the way to business owner I love to hear, I’m the kind of person who enjoys overcoming obstacles and this is one of my favorite statements because my only response is challenge accepted. Typically I adapt and overcome to this kind of challenge.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I guess I fall into the category of Artist, Creative? You tell me…

I am the primary owner of The Keystone Stage, located in Olyphant, PA. I am also all of the following:

Comedian
Singer/Songwriter
Actor
Writer

So, yeah I might be a creative too, I wear a lot of hats.

The best of my comedy career is what lead me to attain ownership of The Keystone from the previous partners, I wanted to help build something that this area of Pennsylvania has never seen, a place where creatives and master their craft and maybe attain the next level. Opening a business at the end of Covid was very challenging but the creation of The Keystone has endured and will continue to endure. During the pandemic, performances were basically killed, even now we are a few years out of it and attendance at bars and event centers for entertainment is still lower than usual in our area.

The pandemic lead me to produce outdoor comedy shows, which were successful and gave work to comics who hadn’t worked since the start. This lead to the meeting with The Keystone’s original partners, which lead to my ownership.

Adapt and overcome to what can’t be done, this is our motto, and I have done this from the start of my comedy career.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well obviously I’d bring them to The Keystone on event nights, but a week in Scranton would look like this:

Monday – The Keystone for the weekly all ages all talent open mic of local artists performing their craft, grab some local pizza from Luigi’s
Tuesday – The V Spot Bar in Scranton for NEPA Scene’s open mic and the food, which is Amazing.
Wednesday – depending on the week a trip to Wilkes-Barre for the Spacement comedy show and mic, eating at one of the local shops.
Thursday – Comedy Night at The Keystone where we see all local talent. Hosted by 18 year comedy veteran and guru Dan Danzy, whose accolades are astounding.
Friday and Saturday of course will be at The Keystone, cause we have music or comedy every weekend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out the community of performers we have created at The Keystone. The supportive community of comedians and musicians all helping each other grow in their craft and creativity. The Keystone is for artists by artists, and the make that dream of mine a reality.

Website: www.thekeystonestage.com

Instagram: thekeystonestagellc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekeystonestage?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Youtube: @thekeystonestage

Image Credits
PFD Media – Paul Davis Fliers – Dan Danzy