This past weekend, I discovered my new favorite activity: comedy
shows. A friend had tickets to the late show at the Improv in San
Jose. I always thought that stand-up comedy shows were a boring
thing of the past, but the show at the Improv was entertaining from
start to finish.
This past weekend, I discovered my new favorite activity: comedy shows. A friend had tickets to the late show at the Improv in San Jose. I always thought that stand-up comedy shows were a boring thing of the past, but the show at the Improv was entertaining from start to finish.
The Improv had an intimate and elegant ambiance yet at the same time it was casual and comfortable. It is not only a comedy showcase, but a restaurant as well. Dinner is served only at the first show and because we went to the late show, I can only describe the appetizers. I ordered the spinach and artichoke dip, which wasn’t nearly as tasty as Applebee’s, but it was good and rather affordable. (At $5.95 you can’t complain.) The appetizers range in price from $4.95 to $7.95 and include Improv Nachos, Fried Calamari and Spicy Chicken Tenders.
Entrees are also very affordable, with the Prime Rib being the most expensive item at $15.95. The menu includes Baja Grilled Chicken, Pasta Jambalaya, the Improv burger, and Chicken Tequila Pasta. Dinner is served at the first show Wednesday through Sunday, and dining customers get priority seating, so you’ll want to show up two hours before the show starts.
After learning about the menu, it’s hard to believe that there’s more but, yes, the Improv actually features great entertainment as well as food. The comedy showcase made its premiere in New York City in 1963. Since then, it has featured many famous comedians and actors. The Improv has been regarded as a “launching pad” for many of today’s successful television and nightclub comedians. Before becoming a world famous Saturday Night Live cast member, David Spade was a local comedian at the Improv in Tempe, Az. Other famous Improv veterans from the past include Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, Jonathan Winters, Adam Sandler, and Drew Carey.
On the night I was there, Dane Cook was the performer, and since I had never heard of him or the Improv, I wasn’t too excited. But after about 30 seconds of Dane’s performance, I was sold.
This guy was hilarious, with comedy bits ranging from disgusting bathroom humor to cookies and to driving in the car with your mom. His material definitely left the crowd wanting more. There were even shout-out requests from people in the audience who were clearly fans of this local rising comedian.
I think what I loved about the show was the environment. You can’t really go wrong when you’re in a room filled with a bunch of people who are all laughing uncontrollably while eating tasty appetizers. I think a comedy show is almost like going to a day spa. You really get the feeling that you’re being pampered because there’s this person on stage whose sole purpose is to make you laugh. I felt energized. Although I’m sure there are the times when the comedian’s humor doesn’t always seem amusing, I found myself continually laughing.
Comedians are amazing. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to come up with your own material and perform it in front of a live audience? And your material has to be good enough to get laughs out of a big crowd. The bravery a comedian needs must be right up there with that of a firefighter or Marine. (Well, almost.) It’s hard to imagine that someone would dream of being a comedian. It’s almost the same as having a life’s goal of going in front of a crowd wearing nothing but your underwear, hoping for acceptance.
Overall, my first live comedy showcase was a positive experience. Dane Cook was on such a roll that the set lasted almost an hour longer than usual. He interacted with the crowd who obviously related to his jokes. I was surrounded by boisterous laughter during the entire set. He definitely made a good impression as my first live stand up comedian.
Next week at the Improv, Pablo Francisco will perform beginning Thursday, Nov.13 through Sunday, Nov. 16. Francisco was awarded “Nominee Male Stand-up Comedian of the Year” in 1999 at the American Comedy Awards. He was also a cast member on NBC’s MAD TV and has appeared on many other networks, including FOX and HBO.
Honestly, whether you need to get away from it all for a little while, or you’re just in need of a good laugh, go to a comedy show. Trust me, it works. And if that isn’t enough enticement to get you in the door, maybe the food will do the trick.
Laughing hysterically and eating at the same time, what could be better?
Chrissy Bryant is freshman at San Jose State University. She writes A College View about local college life and things that catch her fancy. Contact Chrissy at ed******@*************es.com
