When Kym Whitley was honored by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis in 2023 for their annual Salute to Women in Leadership Gala, she didn’t hold back her love for the city. Now, the beloved actress, comedian, and podcast host is returning to the Lou with a mission: to make St. Louis laugh.
Whitley is one of the marquee headliners for the 2025 Flyover Comedy Festival, a four-day celebration of stand-up, sketch, and improv taking place November 13–16 across the St. Louis region. Her performance will be part of the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Gallery Laughs series, a special collaboration between the museum, Flyover Festival, and Midcoast Media.
On Friday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m., Whitley will take the stage at the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park for a free evening of comedy hosted by Chris Denman. She’ll be joined by veteran St. Louis comic Frank Lyles, continuing the Gallery Laughs tradition of pairing national talent with nationally recognized comedians. No tickets are required—just show up early, as seating is first-come, first-served.
Whitley, who counts St. Louis-born comedy icon Redd Foxx among her heroes, has long blended acting and stand-up into a career defined by heart and humor. “I let God lead me to where my career should be,” she told WBLS in 2024. “I try to be kind to people by being a light in the world and having a good time.”
That light has shone across more than 130 film and television credits, from “The Upshaws” and “Act Your Age” to “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Soul Man” – which starred St. Louis’ own Cedric The Entertainer. and the film “Next Friday.” She has voiced characters in “Black Dynamite” and “Rango,” starred in the OWN docuseries “Raising Whitley,” and co-hosts the NAACP Image Award-winning podcast “Two Funny Mamas” with Sherri Shepherd.
Founded in 2017, the Flyover Comedy Festival has grown into a nationally recognized platform for comedic talent. This year’s expanded lineup features nearly 150 performers, including Aziz Ansari, Kyle Kinane, Beth Stelling, Dulcé Sloan, Dvontre Coleman, and hometown favorites Randy and Jason Sklar, who will record a live episode of their hit podcast Dumb People Town.
Beyond the laughs, Flyover’s mission is rooted in community: to elevate St. Louis as a cultural hub, spotlight emerging voices, and harness the healing power of humor.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her work, Kym Whitley’s return to St. Louis promises a night of laughter, legacy, and love for the Lou.
Gallery Laughs with Kym Whitley takes place at Saint Louis Art Museum (1 Fine Arts Dr) in Forest Park on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The Gallery Laughs series, produced by Mid Coast Media, is part of SLAM’s Free Fridays programming. For more information, visit slam.org. The Flyover Comedy Festival will take place from Nov-13-16 at various locations throughout the region. For more information on the festival, visit www.FlyoverComedyFest.com
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
