Kathleen Madigan

Lewis Black calls Kathleen Madigan the “funniest woman in America.” Fellow comedian Ron White says she’s “easily one of the best comics alive.”

Attendees of this year’s Concert Industry Awards in Los Angeles saw why first hand as she deftly handled hosting duties in front of possibly the toughest audience there is – industry insiders. But the most important audience – the public – has caught on to Madigan in growing numbers as well.

It’s a safe bet Madigan’s trajectory will continue skyward with “Gone Madigan,” a Showtime special airing in December that will also get a run on Country Music Television. A DVD release of the show follows. But the smart and supremely likable comedian isn’t stopping there.

Agent Jackie Knobbe at APA has theatre and performing arts center dates booked into May for Madigan, a previous winner of the American Comedy Award for best female comedian.

“Kathleen is one of the best comedians working, male or female,” Knobbe told Pollstar. “We want to get her into a lot of theatres, performing arts centers and other venues that are right for her.”

Expect her to be well-positioned to fill those theatres and PACs. With the CMT appearance, Madigan may tap into a new audience in addition to that which she’s already built on HBO, radio and on the road. The DVD of the concert special will get a major promotional push from Walmart and K-mart.

“She’s sort of an everyman kind of comic, that anybody can watch and get something from,” Knobbe said. “And I know that once that audience finds her, she will be even bigger.”

Madigan beat out Larry The Cable Guy and other notable comics to win the 2007 Sirius Radio Comedy Cup

Kathleen’s special, “Gone Madigan,” debuts on Showtime Dec. 17 at 9 p.m.