comedy  
Repercussions of a collector  
 
 
LaughingComedy Shows 2001-2020

Photo Date Name Theatre Location Laughs
10-11-01 Penn & Teller Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Maybe not technically a comedy act, but I don't have a grouping for magicians. We had close seats, yet I couldn't see how any of the tricks were done. Even more amazing in person than on TV.
10-26-01 Steven Wright Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
I don't know how he was able to keep a straight face with the audience howling in laughter. Twisted, but somehow logical observations.
  03-24-02 LAF: Laughter Arts Festival Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Starring Kevin Meaney ("That's not right!"), Bobby Collins, Wendy Liebman and Bobcat Goldthwait. Didn't much like Bobby; Wendy was previously unknown to me and a pleasant surprise; Kevin was charming and funny as expected; and Bobcat overcame my preconceived revulsion, by toning it down and concentrating on comedy not histrionics. Overall, a funny night.
10-06-02 Paula Poundstone Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Quick witted and engaging with a lot of ad libbing. Really able to connect with the audience.
Photo 10-15-02 Smothers Brothers Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
A repeat performance, and while a few timeless jokes remained the same, they work to keep it fresh by invoking some current events. Included another visit from Yo-Yo Man.
10-19-02 An Evening with Groucho Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
One of my all time favorite comedians, uncannily played by Frank Ferrante. The video says it all:

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11-05-03 Lily Tomlin Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrinGrin
"The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe." Lily and her multiple personalities on full force.
  02-01-04 Sarah Vowell Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Not many can pull off reading their material on stage and not seem self absorbed, but she is so down to earth, and the material so funny, that she easily pulls it off. Right up my alley. Dry wit and historical oddities.
  04-04-04 The Best of The Second City Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Source of so many of today's comedians, including many on SNL. Several in this group have the potential, but time will tell if they break out into the big time.
  07-31-04 Gallagher Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrin
How many times can one laugh at a smashed watermelon? Well, at least twice, but it is getting stale. He makes many wry observations, but it's time to change the act.
  09-26-04 Bob Newhart Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
In stark contrast to the previous act, this mild mannered accountant continues to be himself and has charmed audiences for almost 5 decades.
  04-07-05 Carrot Top Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Another performer in danger of overdoing his shtick. Fortunately he is extremely funny and the props add to the show.
Photo 11-02-06 Lewis Black Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
At first, I was put off by his angry and obnoxious rants on The Daily Show, but over time I came to appreciate the insights and cleverness of his observations. In person, he much more personable and even likable.
  11-19-06 Kathleen Madigan Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrin
Was unfamiliar with her work, but thought we would give it a shot. She was OK, but was underwhelmed.
  11-25-06 Jim Gaffigan Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE Grin
Third in the Grand's comedy series, and this was a gamble that didn't pay off. Some in the audience found the many jokes about Hot Pockets amusing, but it eluded me.
  10-02-07 David Sedaris Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrin
Entertaining and funny, but an odd experience watching an odd little man reading stories from his book.
Poster 12-01-07 Jon Stewart Bob Carpenter Center Newark, DE GrinGrinGrinGrin

Opened with a well informed riff on Delaware. Followed with the usual political stuff, but the highlight for me were his takes on kids and dogs. Some clever ad-libs and he handled hecklers well. Got a lot of press including this and a mention on the Daily Show of a giant promotion poster.


Photo 11-22-08 Louis CK Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Louis second national tour, "Louis C.K.: Hilarious" follows last year's HBO special "Louis C.K.: Shameless". Although he has been doing stand-up for 20 years, I became a fan only recently from his TV show "Lucky Louis". He presented a very open and honest reflection about the middle age issues of children, family life, divorce, and sex in a very endearing way.
Poster 06-19-09 Jerry Seinfeld Academy of Music Philadelphia, PA GrinGrinGrinGrin

He's still got it. He remains just as insightful and hilarious as his performance twenty years ago. The topics have evolved into fatherhood, technology, pharmaceutical commercials and ass jokes, but the foibles of human nature continue to provide belly laughs .

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Photo 01-22-10 Paula Poundstone Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin

While her written material was good, her bantering with the audience was the highlight. Quick witted and able to make jokes about various jobs without being condescending. She reluctantly took an intermission break and had an even harder time ending the show. She just loves telling her stories. The video below is a story told at the show:

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Photo 10-10-10 The Capitol Steps Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Musical political humor. Having only heard them on the radio, I wasn't prepared for the very funny stage antics - few props, but frequent costume changes. Several Delaware jokes courtesy of Christine O'Donnell and Joe Biden, plus this skit:

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Photo 02-26-11 Kenan Thompson Trabant Center Newark, DE Grin
Billed as "Comedian and Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson will perform stand-up comedy Saturday, Feb. 26." was clearly a case of false advertising. Instead it was an evening spent reminiscing about his storied acting career in such cinematic classics as Fat Albert and Good Burger. Tellingly he early on stated that he doesn't see himself as a comedian, but as an actor.
Photo 10-04-12 Stuffed and Unstrung Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrinGrin

Henson puppeteers featuring the Miscreant Puppets in a hilarious night of improv. Barbara got to be part of the show, as Wilmington native Michael Oosterom performed a song about Barbara the nurse and Jerry the scientist from Fair Hill. Michael also got to work in a few jokes about this time as an usher at the Christiana Mall movie theater. Quickly creating witty lines in improv must be tough enough, but doing it while also making up songs on the spot and pupettering at the same time was amazing. Cast also included Tyler Bunch, Allan Trautman, and Alison Mork (Chairy on Pee-Wee's Playhouse).

  11-01-13 Steven Wright Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin

Repeat performance, but all new material. Same laid back style, though the deadpan delivery was cracked a few times by a chuckle. Also seemed to be fewer one liners and more story telling so harder to come away with good jokes for the office., but good stuff none the less.

Photo 03-09-14 Bill Cosby DuPont Theatre Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrinGrin
47 years after my first comedy show,Cos still makes me laugh. His style remains the same, but the observations now come from the life of an 76 year old man. Musing on the everyday trials and tribulations of marriage, personal comfort and the aches and pains of growing old. Fortunately for all of us, he is embarked on this "..far from finished" tour and will star in a new upcoming TV series.
  03-27-14 Lily Tomlin Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
First saw her over 10 years ago, and once more, a comedienne who has not lost her touch. A nice overview of her timeless characters, including a few film clips, but all new material. Finished with a charming Q & A, though she refused to get pinned down politically.
  11-14-14 Danny Bhoy Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Always fun to discover a new talent, and experienced another great bargain with 99 cent tickets. He seemed to be somewhat put off that he wasn't getting a bigger reception for his first US tour, since this Scottish-Indian comedian is apparently a superstar in Europe. Through a series of letters to various companies, he offered refreshingly clean observations on technology and poor customer service.
Photo 10-23-15 B J Novak Bob Carpenter Center Newark, DE GrinGrin
Pleasant, clean performance, but he seemed overwhelmed by the large crowd. He announced that it was probably the largest audience he has ever had. Show only lasted 1 hour including an opening act of the D-Sharps.
Photo 10-30-15 John Cleese and Eric Idle Hippodrome Baltimore, MD GrinGrinGrinGrin
Stories, skits, stand-up and singalongs! Began with a greatest hits film clip, followed by an interesting background on their careers and they performed a couple of classic skits. Second half had each do a solo set with John doing an extended string of "racist" jokes and Eric signing his greatest hits, and ended with a Q & A. Left us with he ear-worm singalong of "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life!"
Photo 11-01-16 Fred Armisen Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin

Another Grand Opera House Meet & Greet, with the very affable Fred Armisen. He just wandered in unaccompanied through the front door and started introducing himself. I had bought one of his 7'singles which he volunteered to autograph.

  04-12-17 Davis Sedaris Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin

We've seem him before and he seemed more somber this time. His longest piece was about his late alcoholic mother and his mellowing racist father. Still, some good humor and an engaging Q & A.

Photo 10-27-18 The Second City - Made In America Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
We have seen the touring company in the past, but with different players. They were not identified in either the program or on stage, but I believe they were: E.J. CAMERON, MJ LYONS, JACKIE SOUTHEE, JORDAN SAVUSA, RILEY MONDRAGON and VERNON MINA. All were very good and have the potential to breakout into stars. Mosts of the skits worked well, but their talent really shines through on the improv bits.
Photo 11-15-18 Lewis Black Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrinGrin
Funniest show in quite some time. Have seen him before but he had all new material and some as current as that morning's Trump tweet. Included a touching story about his parents turning 100 years old. Long time opening act John Bowman was also very good and deserves to have his own show.
Photo 06-27-19 Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! The Mann Music Center Philadelphia, PA GrinGrinGrin
I've seen about a dozen tapings of TV and radio shows and they are always interesting but this one differed from the others in both the number of do-overs and the amount of material recorded from which to edit. It was surprising to watch Peter Sagal flub so many lines, usually quickly followed by another take, but at the end of the show he needed to redo several more. The show ran over two hours so needed to be cut down to under an hour, removing much of Pauia Poundstone's best bits. She was on an angry tear ranting about climate change and the mundane topics covered by the show, all with prolific F-bombs, so clearly she knew they would never air. The other panelists were Luke Bryant and Faith Salie and the Not My Job guest was Jennifer Weiner. Forty members of Luke's Philly family were in attendance and along with Jersey Boy Peter, there lots of local jokes that didn't make the cut, other than one Wawa reference.
Photo 02-07-20 Demitri Martin Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
Witty, dry one liners and clever short stories in the Steven Wright vein plus some clever art work finishing with a song. Only knew him from The Daily Show, but am now a fan.
  02-21-20 Lewis Black Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrin
We have sen Lewis Black several times and the funniest portion of the show if often at the end when he reads rants from the audience. Not sure what that says about his own material, but so be it. I will see him again but perhaps we should space out the shows a bit longer since most of his bits were repeats of jokes from last year.
Photo 03-06-20 Paula Poundstone Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE GrinGrinGrinGrin
We've seen her several times, but every show is completely different as it is mostly ad libbed. She loves to interact and banter with the audience and the participants response varies greatly so you never know how it will go. There were a few tough cases but her wit is so quick she was able to salvage the conversation. Kudos as well for keeping a Meet & Greet appearance even in the midst of the coronavirus panic.
 


 
    Last updated, July 29, 2020.