Photo by Cindy Luft Jeff Dunham, sans puppet, clowns around in the RotorWay helicopter onstage at Theater in the Woods Saturday evening.

August 2, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin  - Although there isn't an official count yet, preliminary estimates had attendance at comedian/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's show Saturday night presented by RotorWay International exceeding last year's 10,000. If that is the case, it will be the single most well-attended event ever at Theater in the Woods.

Dunham, a RotorWay helicopter builder and pilot, entertained the large crowd with his classic characters, Walter, the curmudgeon; Achmed the Dead Terrorist; Peanut, Jose Jalapeño; and even Bubba J in an unscheduled appearance.

People had staked out seats at the covered Theater since the morning, and by the early evening, all 3,500 seats under the roof were were taken. By curtain time, the crowd spilled out throughout the area, and large screens monitors provided viewing for them.

The night started with "Guitar Guy" Brian Haner's comedy/musical routine. A crowd favorite was his re-creation of Jimi Hendrix's national anthem where he went as far as playing the guitar behind his head, and one-handed.