post

The First Time

The First Time

 

Ok, I had been talking about becoming a comedian for years, now it was time to actually do it. Until the early 80’s, comedy was done at different venues in the area, like the Portfolio in Shadyside. All that changed when the Pittsburgh Comedy Club opened in Dormont.

I had just started seeing Chrissie, the girl I would marry and we went to the club on one of our early dates. We went to see a guy we had seen on the Tonight Show and the HBO Young Comedians special. His name was Jerry Seinfeld, you may have heard of him. That was in April of 1982 and I wasn’t even old enough to get in. I looked older than my age and nobody asked for ID. Yeah, nothing you can do about it now.

Here was a place doing comedy full time, with shows from Wednesday through Sunday. I was excited to be there. Here was a place I could get work as a comedian, even though I hadn’t done it yet. I would never do a paid show in that room, but that’s for later in the journey.

I don’t know why it took so long, but it wasn’t until November of that year I finally got up the courage to give it a shot.

They had an open mike on Tuesday nights. I had been working on material for a few years, now it was time to see if it worked. I told myself it was time and spent the day nervously preparing myself. I picked up Chrissie and we drove to Dormont.

When we walked in, there was a group of people standing around the bar area. They were the comedians, nobody else had shown up. No crowd, no show. I can’t deny there was a sense of relief. I don’t have to force myself to do this tonight. At the same time, I had prepared myself all day and now it wasn’t going to happen.

Looking back, it probably wasn’t the worst thing. My brother had a purple old lady wig he had worn for Halloween and I had brought it along with me. I don’t know what I was going to do with it, probably make a fool of myself and ended my comedy career before it started. As we were leaving, one of the guys told me to come out to Tickles on Monday night. They always have a crowd.

Now I would have to wait another week to make my debut. I left disappointed and relieved.

Tickles was the second comedy club to open in the area. It was in the basement of The Holiday House in Monroeville. It was a hotel with a big Vegas Style showroom that brought in big acts. It’s now a strip mall. I headlined the final week in the basement room before it was torn down.

By then it was no longer Tickles, the Funny Bone had taken over the room.

[Read more…]

post

Not Funny and Time Slips Away

Not Funny and Time Slips Away

 

If you’re not aware, I’m older than I was when last we spoke. Maybe you’re one of the friends who sent me birthday wishes. I can’t believe how many friends I have and I appreciate them remembering me…I also can’t believe how many friends I don’t know who the hell they are or remember how I know them.

Birthdays are not a big deal for me, especially as I get older. When you’re a kid you look forward to them. You even add the half year to your age. Remember being ten and a half? Yeah, nobody’s ever been fifty-five and a half.

I’m at the point now that I stay the same age until that stupid clock strikes midnight on August 4 and my wife tells me happy birthday…Don’t remind me.

Normally I would have a show on or right around my birthday. It takes my mind off getting older and I really enjoy performing…Used to anyway. It’s been a long time.

I did a few minutes hosting the graduation show for my latest class…the one I’m calling the Covid-class.

[Read more…]

post

Comedy Classes

Comedy Classes

 

Just wanted to talk a bit about the Comedy Classes I offer. The next round will be at the Parkway Theater beginning Wednesday April 10. We do every Wednesday for four weeks and then a final class on either Wednesday or Thursday May 8 or 9.

The final class is to get sets as tight as possible for the Graduation Show in front of a live audience at the Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks on Friday May 10.

Classes are held in the theater section of the Parkway which is a great venue for what we are doing.

You learn timing, stage presentation, joke structure, getting over stage fright and many other useful guidelines for your Stand-Up career. Only eight students in each class because of the time I spend working with each of you on a weekly basis.

Classes are $100 for all five and Graduation Show. I try to keep the price low because I know money can be an issue when you’re starting on this journey.

I’ve been performing as a professional comedian for 36 years and am doing this to give back to fellow comedians. My experience will help you make significant progress with your act and have fun doing it.

There’s only one spot left open for this round, but if you’re interested in future courses just hit the contact on this page and I will let you know about upcoming classes.

I’m also available for coaching sessions if you can’t make the class times work.

Parkway Theater 644 Broadway Avenue, McKees Rocks. I spent my youth watching movies at this place.