Comedy
Ronald Reagan, Evan O’Television and More at Toad
Anybody at The Toad in Cambridge on Sunday night can now say that they saw Ronald Reagan—Boston’s premier 80’s saxophone duo—as they MC’d a comedy night, fresh off of their country-wide tour with Amanda Palmer. The dynamic duo opened with a quick-paced wordless saxophone piece, only pausing for the audience to sing “Take on Me,” then continued with Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”
The first comedian up was Mehran Khaghani. He explained to a roaring crowd how it was growing up Iranian and gay. The man had a great stage presence—comfortable and able to work with the audience and was amusing both on stage and off.
Ronald Reagan took the stage once more to play Starship’s “We Built This City (on Rock and Roll)” and Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” before introducing Evan O’Television. Mr. O’Television’s act was an argument between him and an old recording of himself—in this case, a recording taken before the election who was worried about spoilers. It was very clever (and a little meta). Ronald Reagan played The Twins’ “Love in the Dark” before intermission.
Alec Spiegelman and Kelly Roberge were inspired to begin an 80’s pop music saxophone duo one summer while listening to Cindy Lauper records. Kelly is currently working on a project he called “All of Us Solo Quartet,” in which he performs as all four members of a band that met online from various places around the world. He opened the second part of the night as the quartet with their different accents and mannerisms.
Tom Dustin stepped up next. His jokes had the audience laughing and cringing from their inappropriate content. He read a very amusing, over-the-top dating profile he made and talked about the reactions people had to it.
Pointing out that it wouldn’t be an 80’s night without some Michael Jackson music, Ronald Reagan went up one more time to play “Beat it” and then finished the night strong with “Don’t Stop Believing.”
Steve-O (a.k.a. Stephen Glover) has become a household name over the last two decades. Famous for his cringe worthy stunts on MTV’s Jackass and WildBoyz, he is never shy and always up for a challenge! Steve-O is coming to Atlanta this week to perform at the Improv Atlanta 12/3 – 12/5 so get ready for holiday cheer, Steve- O style!
We asked Steve-O a few questions, you can read his answers below:
TBB:First of all, since you are coming to Atlanta this week, tell us what your favorite thing about Atlanta is. Also, do you plan to visit anywhere other than the Improv while in town? Ever heard of the Clermont Lounge? ;)
Steve-O: It was July 4th the last time I was in Atlanta, and I had a great time taping big fireworks to my skateboard and blowing them up while I rode around a skatepark. That was a really wild time. Next week I go to jail for the crane-climbing stunt I did earlier this year in Los Angeles, so this weekend I’ll be sure to enjoy my last days of freedom roaming around Atlanta. I’m sure the Clermont Lounge is awesome, but I think I’m going to skip that spot this weekend.
TBB: The Clermont just might be a little too much for you Steve-O!
Returning for its 17th anniversary production, Horizon Theatre Company turns “ho ho ho” into “ha ha ha” as it reprises its popular production of The Santaland Diaries by award-winning satirist David Sedaris, November 20-December 31.
This show is one of the funniest Holiday shows out there. We have found our new holiday tradition here at The Backstage Beat!
The setting for this naughty show is a Macy’s in New York City as they prepare for Santa and all the families that come to see him. Welcome to this wicked wonderland and exposé of all things elfin. Out of work and middle-aged, a writer in need of holiday cash decides to employ his gift for insightful observation in the trade of elfdom at Macy’s Department Store. Besieged by bratty kids with overzealous parents and donning a humiliating costume, he finds that his cynical self and his elfin alter ego, “Crumpet,” are not exactly compatible. His remedy for the saccharine overdose he endures in his never-endingly exuberant job is to tell all – giving us a backstage pass to the secret lives of Santas and elves. Though definitely not your traditional stocking stuffer, this caustic Christmas carol is a laughter-spiked antidote to the holiday blues. The Santaland Diaries serves up holiday cheer and sneer – and a rebel without a Claus.
Crumpet is played by Harold M. Leaver. I was truly impressed with his ability to stay in character with so much hilarity happening. He was a master at this role! What a naughty little elf!
Along with Harold, Lala Cochran and Enoch King perform as “Sidekicks” and bring the whole show together. Their various roles are both detailed and laugh out loud funny!
This is a true local masterpiece! For those of you who dare think you can’t see a great show with local talent, go see this one! But be warned, it is not for kids and the humor is not for everyone.
Give yourself a great gift this holiday season, see this show and let us know how you liked it!
Joe Gatto from the very funny and highly successful “Impractical Jokers” called The Backstage Beat to talk about the tour he is on which brings him to Atlanta this weekend!
Joe told us about what we can expect when he, along with his fellow jokers Murray, Q and Sal, take the stage this Friday at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.
When asked about his friendship with the other jokers, Joe said,”You are talking about four guys that have been friends since freshman year in high school. This transcends the Impractical Jokers show and even the Tenderloins. We started performing together in the Tenderloins in 1999. We have had a deep rooted friendship since 1990.” Joe explained to me that they are business partners, friends, performers, all at the same time. They actually know each others families and are very close. Joe summed it up like this, “I go over to Sal’s parents house every Christmas. We are genuinely involved in each others lives, not just for the show.”
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