Bringing the funny to Amish country

John Bunn believes there is nothing better than making people laugh.

“It’s rewarding to be able to put a smile on people’s faces,” he said.

That means he’s in the right business.

As general manager — and director, writer and one of the star performers — at The Amish Country Theater, Bunn gets to delight Amish Country guests and locals with wholesome, hilarious family entertainment throughout the year.

“We started out 14 years ago just to give people something to do in the evenings after dinner,” Bunn said. “We’ve become one of the must-see tourist attractions in the area. And we’re having a lot of fun doing it.”

The Amish Country Theater in Berlin presents two different comedy variety shows during the week from May through October. The 2025 season will feature “Haystack Hilarity” and “All Quacked Up.”

The theater also offers special performances through the year, including tribute band concerts — like the upcoming tributes to Brooks & Dunn, The Great American Ride tribute to Toby Keith, and performances by The Malpass Brothers — and unique “land cruises” that offer a cruise ship experience but without the ocean.

“We introduce two new comedy variety shows every May,” Bunn said. “One is on Tuesdays and Fridays; the other is on Thursdays and Saturdays. What’s cool about that is you can stay all weekend and see both. Or you can see one in the spring and the other one in the fall.”

Before helping to establish the theater, Bunn was the creative arts director at NewPointe Community Church in Dover, where his country bumpkin character Bubba Joe was a staple at children’s service. Bubba Joe morphed into Lynyrd, the “self-proclaimed” star of The Amish Country Theater performances.

“Mike Conn and the other owners knew me from the church,” Bunn said. “They’d been to the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) and saw potential for a comedy show to give people here something to do in the evenings. They asked me to help get it started. We had no clue what we were doing, but we knew we could be funny.”

The variety shows feature comedians, ventriloquists, magicians, jugglers and singers “to give the audience a break from laughing too much,” Bunn said. “The idea is just to come, relax, sit back, have a good time and laugh your head off for two hours. The Amish Country Theater is thrilled to announce that award-winning ventriloquist Kevin Johnson has joined our cast and is featured in all of our original comedy shows! Known for his unforgettable performances on America’s Got Talent and The Late Show with David Letterman, Kevin has captivated audiences around the world as a headliner on Disney Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean. With his incredible talent and hilarious characters, Kevin brings a new level of entertainment to our stage, making every show an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss your chance to see this world-class ventriloquist live! We have two Amish characters who do parody songs. One of our core values is that it’s always going to be clean, family friendly and very funny.”

The variety shows always culminate with a grand finale salute to American veterans.

When you visit one of our comedy shows at The Amish Country Theater, you can always expect the unexpected! Our stage is home to some of the most exciting and diverse talent in the world of entertainment, ensuring no two shows are ever the same. Magician and internet sensation Rick Smith, Jr. is a regular crowd favorite, wowing audiences with his mind-boggling illusions, unmatched card-throwing skills, and viral tricks that have taken the internet by storm. But that’s just the beginning—our theater also hosts top-tier performers from across the globe, including award-winning ventriloquists, comedy magicians, musical acts, and hilarious comedians who know how to keep the laughs coming. Whether it’s a surprise guest, a new stunt, or an unexpected twist, each visit to The Amish Country Theater promises an unforgettable experience full of laughter, amazement, and fun for the whole family. You truly never know what kind of magic—or mischief—you’ll witness on our stage!

The highly popular land cruises set sail during the winter months and occur each month throughout the year with the exception of October and December.

“It’s an all-inclusive vacation at the Berlin Encore Hotel & Suites, which is attached to the theater,” Bunn said.

“Everything about it is like being on a cruise ship — the shows, the buffets, the 24/7 soft serve ice cream — but you’re at our place for three days and two nights. We’ve been doing the cruises for four years, and they are growing in popularity.”

You can reserve your tickets or learn more about The Amish Country Theater at AmishCountryTheater.com or by calling 888-988-7469. The theater is located at 4365 State Route 39 in Berlin.