Bringing the Funny to Amish CountryBy: Adam Cook

When the shops close and lanterns dim along State Route 39, laughter still spills from The Amish Country Theater, where the barn doors open onto the stage and the day in Amish Country doesn’t end — it simply changes acts.

As the curtain rises on its 15th season in 2026, the theater promises more of what keeps audiences coming back: award-winning comedy, top-notch tribute acts and clean family-friendly entertainment that lights up the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country.

The lights first came up nearly 15 years ago when Mike Conn and his sons, Jeff and Braden, teamed up with local comedian John Bunn — “the funniest man they’ve ever met” — who’s been yukking it up on stage ever since. His signature character, Lynyrd, a lovable local yokel, has become the heart of the show.

What started in an old warehouse has grown into a 600-seat playhouse just steps from the Berlin Encore Hotel & Suites, filling night after night with laughter.

“Everything we do is family-friendly comedy,” said Jan West, the theater’s assistant general manager. “You can bring a 5-year-old or a 95-year-old — nothing offensive or off-color. Amish Country is wholesome, and we want our comedy to be, too.”

In a place known for peace and quiet, the theater’s laughter is anything but. The show unfolds like a modern-day “Hee Haw,” a down-home variety show that changes with the seasons.

Take ventriloquist Kevin Johnson, who joined the troupe last December with his feisty parrots Clyde and Matilda and a wisecracking old man named Harley in tow.

“I’ve performed on cruise ships and in theaters all over the country,” Johnson said. “But this place is something special — the people, the energy, the laughter. It’s what live entertainment is all about. It feels like home.”

Johnson is a seasoned professional with 18 years on cruise ships, nearly 9,000 shows at Legoland, and appearances on “America’s Got Talent” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

“It’s the audience that keeps me coming back,” Johnson said. “You never know what’s going to happen in live theater. One night, a kid handed me the mic and just walked off the stage. That’s why I love it — it’s different every night.”

Every performance takes on a life of its own with audience volunteers, spontaneous laughs and surprises that make each show unique. Each comedy show is filmed, so guests can take home a keepsake — maybe even their own onstage moment.

The theater debuts two new comedy shows for its regular season, running May through October, and caps it off with a fresh Christmas production from November through mid-December. For regulars, that’s three new reasons to return. For first timers, it’s an open invitation to discover what keeps the laughter rolling year after year.

“We write two brand-new comedy shows each season,” West explained. “One runs on Tuesdays and Fridays, the other on Thursdays and Saturdays. So, if folks are in town for a few days, they can catch both. Wednesday nights, we switch it up with a musical tribute.”

A crowd favorite, the theater’s website lists a full calendar of tribute shows celebrating Toby Keith, the Eagles, Journey, Kenny & Dolly, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Rhonda Vincent and more.

For those who want the full experience, the theater’s Land Cruises offer three-day, two-night, all-inclusive getaways at the Berlin Encore Hotel & Suites. Guests enjoy comedy, live music, game shows, bingo, backstage tours and 24/7 soft-serve ice cream. Many return year after year, drawn as much by the camaraderie as the comedy.

All seating is reserved, perfect for families and groups who want to sit together. Tickets are available at the door or online, where new shows and special acts are posted the moment they’re booked.

Whether it’s a return visit or a first night under the barn lights, one thing’s certain: At the Amish Country Theater, laughter can rattle the rafters, bring down the house, and make the night.

When the shops close, the show goes on. Trade sightseeing for showtime at The Amish Country Theater in Berlin, where laughter fills the night. Visit AmishCountryTheater.com for showtimes, tickets and Land Cruise details. For more information, call 888-988-7469.