At 79 and 75 respectively, comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short aren’t slowing down—they’re just getting started. On November 2025, the duo confirmed their next chapter: The Dukes of Funnytown! Tour, a 13-date North American run kicking off January 29, 2026, at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas, and wrapping April 12, 2026, in Birmingham, Alabama. The tour isn’t just a nostalgia trip; it’s a masterclass in timing, chemistry, and absurdity—and it’s already selling out.
What Makes Their Live Show So Irresistible?
It’s not just the jokes. It’s how they deliver them. Steve Martin brings his signature dry, intellectual wit—often punctuated by banjo plucks and deadpan stares—while Martin Short barrels in with theatrical energy, voicing a dozen characters before you’ve caught your breath. Together, they’ve built a live act that feels like watching two old friends improvise a sitcom inside your brain. According to Consequence.net, the show "redefines the form in unexpected and profound ways," with jokes landing at rapid-fire speed, often without setup, and punchlines that roast Hollywood, fame, and—most deliciously—each other.
They’re not alone on stage. Joining them every night is Jeff Babko & The Steep Canyon Rangers, a Grammy-nominated bluegrass ensemble that weaves banjo, fiddle, and jazz-inflected rhythms into the comedy. The music isn’t filler—it’s punctuation. A plucked banjo string after a punchline? That’s the sound of laughter hitting its peak.
From 2025 to 2026: The Full Timeline
The tour doesn’t start in 2026—it’s already underway. Fans who missed the 2025 leg still have chances: The Dukes of Funnytown! Tour includes shows on November 7–8 at Boston’s Boch Center – Wang Theatre, and December 4–5 at Albany’s Palace Theatre and Wallingford’s Toyota Oakdale Theatre. The 2026 dates are even more packed: Austin’s Bass Concert Hall (Jan 30–31), Minneapolis’s Orpheum Theatre (Feb 28, two shows!), and Washington, D.C.’s DAR Constitution Hall (March 13) are all on the calendar.
And here’s the twist: some of the most expensive tickets aren’t in New York or L.A.—they’re in the Midwest. On February 28, 2026, tickets at the Orpheum in Minneapolis range from $176 to $279, depending on showtime. Compare that to the $61 entry point for the December 5, 2025 show in Wallingford, Connecticut. Pricing varies wildly, but one thing’s clear: demand is outpacing supply.
Why This Tour Matters Now
Steve Martin and Martin Short didn’t just grow old—they evolved. Their 2025 HBO special Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life proved they still had lightning in a bottle. But now, with their roles in Season 5 of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building fresh in the public’s mind, and the show renewed for Season 6—set to film in London for the first time on October 28, 2025—their cultural relevance is peaking again.
This isn’t just comedy. It’s legacy. Martin, who released his 12-track album Safe, Sensible and Sane with Alison Brown on October 17, 2025, and his book Steve Martin Writes the Written Word in May 2025, has spent years expanding his art beyond stand-up. Short, meanwhile, has become a master of character-driven storytelling. Together, they’re not performing—they’re curating a living archive of American humor.
What’s Next? The Legacy Continues
They’ve been touring together since the 2010s, but this feels different. These aren’t retirees doing one last lap. They’re artists in their prime, still pushing boundaries. The tour’s title—The Dukes of Funnytown—isn’t just a gag. It’s a declaration. They’re the kings of a world they built, and they’re inviting you to the throne room.
For fans who’ve followed them since Saturday Night Live or Three Amigos, this is more than a show. It’s a reunion with the people who made you laugh when you needed it most. And for younger audiences discovering them through Only Murders? You’re seeing comedy history in real time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do tickets cost for the 2026 tour?
Ticket prices vary significantly by venue and date. The lowest price on record is $61 for the December 5, 2025 show at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut. In contrast, select February 28, 2026 performances at Minneapolis’s Orpheum Theatre range from $176 to $279. San Antonio’s January 29, 2026 opener starts at $203. Premium seating and VIP packages can push prices even higher.
Who is Jeff Babko & The Steep Canyon Rangers?
Jeff Babko & The Steep Canyon Rangers are a Grammy-winning bluegrass band known for their tight musicianship and genre-blending style. They’ve toured with Steve Martin since 2011, providing live instrumentation—especially banjo and fiddle—that complements the duo’s stand-up and sketches. Their music isn’t background noise; it’s a key part of the show’s rhythm and emotional texture.
Are Steve Martin and Martin Short still acting together?
Yes. They recently wrapped Season 5 of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, and the series was renewed for Season 6 on October 28, 2025. This time, the trio—including Selena Gomez—will travel overseas for the first time, filming in London to solve a new mystery. Their on-screen chemistry remains as sharp as ever, reinforcing why their live tour is so anticipated.
What’s new with Steve Martin’s other projects?
In 2025, Martin released his collaborative album Safe, Sensible and Sane with banjoist Alison Brown, featuring guests like Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, and Aoife O’Donovan. He also published Steve Martin Writes the Written Word, a collection of his essays, short stories, and humorous writings. These projects show he’s not just a comedian—he’s a multidisciplinary artist still creating at the highest level.
Is this their final tour?
Neither has said it’s their last. At their age, they’ve earned the right to say yes or no whenever they want. But their energy, creativity, and audience response suggest they’re far from done. If past form holds, they’ll likely announce another leg before this one even ends. The joke, it seems, is still on the clock.
How did they start performing together?
They first collaborated on screen in the 1980s, but their live chemistry didn’t fully ignite until the 2010s. Their breakthrough came with the 2013 Broadway show Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life, which led to a national tour and later an HBO special. Their onstage rapport—equal parts affection and mockery—is the product of decades of mutual admiration and shared comedic DNA.
Sports Analysis
