So far at the 32nd edition of the Just For Laughs comedy festival, I have seen six shows (with about a dozen more on tap before it ends next weekend), and so far, I have been batting .1000 when it comes to strong line-ups and killer material. Here are capsule reviews of some of the Just For Laughs shows I have seen so far during the first half of the fest.
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The Ethnic Show at the Metropolis is a virtual United Nations of comedy, in which a cross section of ethnic and religious backgrounds were well represented. Persian comic Maz Jobrani, as in previous years, was the perfect host for the show, and gave his take on the recent World Cup soccer tournament, to how Team U.S.A.'s cheer was the least confident cheer he ever heard, to how orgasmic the game of soccer can be. East Indian Paul Varghese gave the best line of the show "The last time native Americans smiled? 1491". Montreal-born Greek comic Angelo Tsarouchas explored the true meaning of the Greek term "Malaka"; New Jersey native Mike Marino (pictured at right) represented Italians everywhere, and gave a killer routine about Walmart, especially when using the self-serve checkout lane, and thinks he deserves a 10% employee discount as well (it was like comedy with a Soprano attitude to it). Erik Griffith gave new meaning to "purging", and token Jewish comic Elon Gold talked about "pro-Semitism", and did a dead-on impression of Woody Allen as Abraham as he bargained with God about the first circumcision. The Ethnic Show continues until July 23.* * *
Since 1991, Just For Laughs explored the sensitive topics of dating, mating and relating with Date Night: The Relationship Show; and I am happy to say the tradition has continued. New festival favorite Godfrey (pictured at left) served as the show's host, and genuinely enjoyed entertaining audiences (especially when he punctuated a lot of his routines with plenty of chuckling between the jokes), especially when he talked about how women were always feeling chilly around bedtime and slept with 200-pound comforters in order to keep warm. Joe Matarese talked about what it was like to have a psychologist for a wife (and him a mental patient). Brassy Lynne Koplitz spoke about her 11-year relationship with her pet Yorkie dog, which she compared to an abusive little Italian man). And John Heffron gave advice to a 15-year-old couple about married life, especially about he was not allowed to use the bathroom, and has to carry a bag filled with his own toiletries every time he has to use it. The Relationship Show's final performance is on July 25 at the Metropolis.* * *
Perhaps the hottest ticket during the early part of the festival was the inaugural All Star Show, a showcase of six of Just For Laughs' most popular fan favorites. Host Dom Irrera was in top form once again, talking about his love of Montreal (and his "people", the hookers and heroin addicts who inhabit St. Laurent Blvd.) to how he uses soccer matches to help him fall asleep. Ryan Hamilton used his boyish Idaho charm to explain how it's very difficult to meet people and the hazards of riding on a bike's handlebars. Angst-filled Judy Gold spoke about her 92-year-old mother's constant battles with her string of home care professionals. Adams Hills sang quite a revolutionary new version of "O Canada" if Bryan Adams composed it. Robert Kelly talked about how when men get older, they don't care about their appearance any more (which means they reach the "fuck it, tuck it" stage in their lives). And Alonzo Bodden (pictured above) was the highlight of the show, giving a killer set on his take on some of the issues of the day, including how Toronto mayor Rob Ford is actually an "honest" politician. The final All Star Show is ready to invade Club Soda on July 26.* * *
The OFF-JFL Series offers the best value for your comedy buck, with comics giving one-hour solo or specialty shows in an intimate club setting, with a special offer of two OFF-JFL shows of your choice for only $30.
One comic's show that you should invest your two-for-$30 deal is Irish comic David O'Dougherty's solo show at Theatre St. Catherine. His one-hour showcase of storytelling, keyboard playing and bizarre songs offers non-stop laughs, and made me wish I could spend another hour watching him in action. He spoke on such wayout topics as Toblerone bar smuggling in your anal cavity, "ghost mice" in his attic water tank, and how disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong was responsible for all of O'Dougherty's personal problems and troubles. And his songs about bad, uncaring corporations and life in general had me crying with laughter. This is a must-see show!The Midnight Surprise Show, also at Theatre St. Catherine, reminded me of the old Bubbling with Laughter series that ran for nearly 25 years at Club Soda, where there were always surprise appearances by top name comics who used the show as a sounding board for sets that would be performed at a gala the following night. At the Midnight Surprise Show that I caught, which was hosted by the talented James Adomian (loved his bit about why there is no Disneyland in New York City), had a mixture of comics who appeared in the All Star, Ethnic and Relationship shows, including Godfrey (who did a dean-on impersonation of Denzel Washington as a stand-up comic), Maz Jobrani, Judy Gold, Jarrod Christmas and Orny Adams, whose furiously-paced, anger and frustration-laden set killed at both the Relationship and Midnight Surprise shows. And the best thing about Midnight Surprise, is that no two shows are alike. It's a great way to cap off your night of comedy clubbing at Just For Laughs.
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For more information, or to purchase tickets, to any Just For Laughs show between now and July 28, go to their website at www.hahaha.com.
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