I OFTEN JUDGE COMEDY CONTESTS and attend school shows, because it gives me the opportunity to see performers' early work. Time is an incredible teacher and watching a performer grow is still exciting to me every time.
Caroline's and Danny's Skylight Room continue in their partnership for the Off-Off-Broadway Comedy Contest, with preliminaries held at Danny's and the finals held at Caroline's. The February contest is especially noteworthy, because the Broadway comedy duo Monteith and Rand will be hosting, before they open their own new show this April.
I've already had the pleasure of judging with Suzanne Rand, who was a member of the legendary Second City Chicago troupe, along with John Belushi and Bill Murray. John Monteith was in the Toronto troupe with Dan Akroyd and Gilda Radner. They've both directed and written, as well as forming one of the only improvisational comedy teams to have had its own Broadway show. Not a bad duo to have know your work. Congrats to Danny's booking manager, Donald Schaffer.
A COMEDIENNE DESERVING congratulations and "happy anniversary" is Monday Night Madness hostess Angela LaGreca, who is also the warm-up comic for ABC's "The View." Angela is celebrating her second year of madness at Eighty Eight's with a marathon on Mon., Feb. 23, at a special 7 pm time slot.
The incredible line-up scheduled includes: Cory Kahany (if you haven't seen her work--go!); pianist, singer and whirlwind Mark Nadler, who is killing Fridays at Sardi's; cabaret's Rohn Seykell, who is becoming as well known for his musical comedy as for his vocal chops; Christian Nova, who has a wonderful new CD and toured as the Phantom of the Opera; award-winning vocalist Baby Jane Dexter; acoustic guitarist-singer-songwriter Eric Hansen, whose CD has recently been featured with live in-store concerts at Barnes & Noble and Sam Goody; and composer and now cabaret artist Carol Hall (best known for "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"). I also want to mention the show's musical director, Lenny Babbish, whom I've sung with and who is one of the best at handling the timing involved in playing for comedy.
RECENTLY when I received an invitation from Stephen Rosenfield to check out the Industry Night show for his American Comedy Institute, I couldn't wait to get a copy of the show tape, because he was featuring some past favorites of mine. The show did so well, it's being brought back to Don't Tell Mama, Wed., Feb. 11, at 8:15 pm.
First mention goes to past Danny's winner and MC Ron Poole. I've enjoyed him often as a host, but this was the first time I've seen him do a full set. His crowd work and likability can't be beat. When I need a clean joke, I often use his bit about how Times Square really hasn't changed much from its days of drugs and sex shops, because at the Disney Store (featuring dolls from the movie "Toy Story") you'll still hear sales clerks and kids calling out "I got a Buzz," "I got a Woody." I've found that line works with both a hip crowd and a broken-hip crowd.
Another former Danny's winner is waiter-in-purgatory Brad Zimmerman. Imagine persnickety actor William Daniels ("St. Elsewhere," the original "1776," the voice of the car in "Knight Rider") doing stand-up as a disgruntled waiter, and you'll get a taste of what Brad does. His very funny description of the adjectives he's expected to use to describe wines is bold, woodsy, brisk, petulant (you get the picture), and his blind-date-from-hell material is one of a kind. I saw Brad a year ago and now that he's had time to truly hone his misery, I can't wait till some sitcom or smart casting director/agent finds a way to use this character.
A PERFORMER already breaking onto the small screen is Sunda Croonquist, the evening's host. She's had lots of experience hosting her own show at Stand Up NY, "Femme Fatales of Comedy," giving work to more than 70 comics. Unlike many hosts, with Sunda it's about making sure the comics come out to a warmed-up but fast-paced environment, not about how much time she gets to have for her own material. Following her recent appearances on Comedy Central's new "Premium Blend" and "Make Me Laugh," L.A. is knocking--which reminds me of Sunda's background, with a Swedish Jehovah's Witness for a mom. As Sunda says, "Brings a whole new meaning to the song 'Someone's knockin' at the door. Someone's ringin' the bell.' "
FINISHING the evening in the traditional "headliner" slot was John Roach. Though John has a strong act with great material about teaching a tough class of girls while they murder the English language--"Axe not what you can do for your country an' shit"--he is also a wonderful impressionist, whose speciality is doing the voices of famous "old, dead white men," including Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, and Elvis. Now I know some bookers and reviewers turn their noses up at impressionists; sorry, but I defy anyone to keep from laughing when Kevin Pollack does William Shatner--or for that matter, when William Shatner does William Shatner.
It's not just the impressions; it's how you weave them into your material. What makes John special is that he knows you'll only get his references if you're a baby-boomer or old enough to remember Ed Sullivan or the Rat Pack, and he makes fun of himself and his limitations. I've watched other impressionists flat out die, because if the audience doesn't know (or care) if you resemble Curly, Moe or "Who's on first," you better have plan B to bounce back with. John would be great doing resorts, ships, opening oldies concerts, or for headliners with a variety-oriented audience. He would also make a great addition to an ensemble sitcom. q
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