Comedy Week In Review

• March 9, 2015
• Comedy

People who know me at work can’t believe I do comedy.  People who know me from comedy can’t believe I’m a chaplain.  It’s ok,  I can’t believe anyone’s a rodeo clown.

I’ll never forget seeing the flyer for a comedy class in Chicago.  It was on a grocery store bulletin board in Comic Sans font with a cartoon smily face..obviously destiny was calling.  

The adventure started with a 7-week class that culminated in a short stand up performance for friends and family.  I’d like to think I could do without this type of structure,  but I know I wouldn’t have tried stand up without it.  I would have made excuses and never found the time,  similar to the way I approach gym membership.  If only you could get in shape thinking about working out,  man I’d be ripped.

 

I moved to Hawaii thinking comedy was in the past until I saw yet another flyer.  Well,  it was more of a large sign painted in a window,  but still,  a non-digital advertisement for improv classes @ Laughtrack Theater.  In addition to teaching long-form improv, they had a monthly open mic.  Since the spring of 2010 I’ve performed improv and stand-up in bursts of semi- regularity  ( ok, inconsistently )  with the past two years finding more and more opportunities to get on stage.  Most of the time it’s a decent sized room of people from various backgrounds all wanting to have a good time and night out with friends.  Sometimes it goes very well and there’s lots of smiles and laughter.  And other times the loudest noise in the room is someone sucking the last two drops of their drink through a straw like an ambitious broken vacuum.  But,  it’s true what they say  ( they being trusted professionals as well as people who have never attempted comedy but seem to be well-versed in the best approach ),   each set is a learning experience and an opportunity to grow and find my voice in this crazy, mind bending,  why would anyone do this tradition of standing alone on stage to attempt humor.

 

This week I was part of 4 shows which officially doubles my past record of,  you guessed it,  2.

There seems to be a close correlation between comedy and Irish Pubs and the name Brian or O’Brien as the case may be.  I told jokes at Otoole’s,  Anna O’Brien’s,  and Hawaiian Brian’s.

 

Wed, February 25. Anna O’Brien’s. Comedy U.

A comedy show slash birthday bash.  My job duties for the evening doubled as court jest and cake transport.  The crowd was lively and festive,  going so far as to gesture with their arms extended as if they were raising the roof.  Forget laughter I told them,  just throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don’t care and I’ll know you’re having a good time.

 

Fri, Feb 27. Otoole’s.

I had a great time hosting a small but fun show under a giant mustache.  By the time it was over, everyone knew each other a little better.  It was like inexpensive group therapy with drink tokens.

 

Sat, Feb 28. Otoole’s 2 Revenge of the Stache.

This was my fourth private gig,  which is a fancy term for a party or meeting with comedians hired as the entertainment.  Good times had by all at a local school’s parent’s night out event.  They even had pistachio cake.  Not a typo.  My belly approved.

 

Wed, March 3. Hawaiian Brian’s.

 

I got to headline with some local and visiting comedians.  Mars Comedy has a weekly show that includes featured comedians followed by an open mic.  Good crowd with a mix of both laughter and broken vacuum straw noises…I’ll take variety and call it a week.  As long as they’re enjoying themselves and don’t start throwing the straws at me I’ll consider it victory.

From host to headliner to cake carrier to cake eater…it’s all part of the comedy adventure.

Yes Anthony,  but these shows have already happened and I don’t own a time machine.  Well I see your point.  That’s why I’ll be listing upcoming show dates on this here comedy page so you don’t have to embezzle plutonium for time travel anytime soon.

Cheers,

A

• Comedy
• Giant Mustache
• Irish Pub
• Pistachio Cake
• Stand-Up