Laughing is the most genuine thing a person can do. Every chuckle, every squeak, every snort or chortle shows off a piece of one’s personality – you know, the small, private section of it that’s the “permanent” part. People have been both loved and hated for the sounds coming out of their mouths. Laughter is a powerful thing.
Diversions is about to help you unleash the inner-self you’ve been hiding to give you a preview of this fall’s best comedy acts appearing in the Washington area.
Gabriel Iglesias
Venue: DC Improv
Dates: Sept. 6-10, times vary
What It Costs You: $15-17
The Punch Line: This cute little guy is lovable for more than just his pudgy chipmunk face and “super happy to see ya!” personality. Always keeping it real, Iglesias’s stand-up is a mix of “true” stories about his personal life and experiences – complete with characters and sound effects.
His favorite topic to poke fun at? His roly-poly shape. It’s no wonder why his debut CD was entitled “Picachu…I See You.”
While this 27-year-old is still on the rise, he’s already made some big-time appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and ABC’s My Wife & Kids.
Jon Stewart
Venue: Merriweather Post Pavilion
Date: Sept. 16, 8 p.m.
What It Costs You: $40 (starting price)
The Punch Line: TV star, author, political revolutionary – Stewart is “the man” to many.
Rumors have been circulating that more young people get their daily dose of news from him than any big-wig network. Stewart was the one who was able to make a very serious, very powerful political debate show look like an episode of Barney & Friends. And so Crossfire was canceled, the world said, “Eh, whatever,” and Stewart’s ratings went up.
We’ve watched his career unfold with glee and are bound to be just as pleased when he comes to our backyard.
Kathy Griffin
Venue: Warner Theatre
Date: Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m., 10 p.m.
What It Costs You: $40
The Punch Line: When your most recent claim to fame is a reality TV show titled My Life on the D-list, people are going to raise eyebrows and roll eyes at you. True, she’s way too quick to tell you too much information, but Griffin is obnoxiously funny. She is a living definition of the word “spunk” – but in a good way. You can’t tear your eyes or ears away from her.
Born and raised in Chicago, this red-headed spitfire initially made a name for herself on the NBC sitcom Suddenly Susan, starring as the not-really-lovable Vicki Groener. You can catch her now playing a security guard on the Sierra Mist commercials.
Oh, and did we mention her first reality TV show ever was Kathy Griffin Is … Not Nicole Kidman? Yeah, no one’s arguing that one.
Pablo Francisco
Venue: DC Improv
Date: Oct. 18-22, times vary
What It Costs You: $22
The Punch Line: This guy has the voice of an angel – an angel of hilarity.
From “the movie guy” to his Mexican girlfriend “Rosita” to everyone’s favorite governor, Arnold (with a hard “AHN”), Francisco is a master of sound-effect and impersonation comedy. Warning for asthmatics: you’ll begging for an oxygen mask.
Truly an international sensation – the man has gigs in Europe – Francisco has starred in his own Comedy Central Presents spot and appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His animated delivery is chock full of hilarious goodness that won’t leave you disappointed.
Carlos Mencia
Venue: The Lyric Opera House
Date: Nov. 1, 8 p.m.
What It Costs You: $37 (starting price)
The Punch Line: When you have a television series that was this summer’s highest-rated new comedy series, then maybe, maybe you can call yourself king as well.
Mencia madness has swept the country’s living rooms with his Comedy Central series, Mind of Mencia, and now will sweep the country’s theaters with The Punisher Tour. Oh yeah, and Comedy Central was tripping over itself to give Mencia another season of Mind, which will air in March.
Another comic who is not afraid to speak his mind on everything from his Latino background to women to trash cans, Mencia will be a great way to wrap up a Halloween celebration.
Contact Diversions editor Lauren Effron at effrondbk@gmail.com.
