Stand … and deliver: Top comics share insights
A boy walking down the street throws a quarter up in the air intending to catch it in his hand. Only the quarter lands in his mouth and ends up lodged in his throat.
His father tries unsuccessfully to get him to cough it up. He gets an assist from a female passerby who, trying to help, grabs the young boy in, ahem, a particularly sensitive area.
Up, almost instantaneously, comes the quarter. The father thanks the woman for saving his son’s life, and asks, impressed, and noting the odd manuever that she used in doing so, if she’s a doctor.
“No,” Charlottesville comedian Jim Zarling said, delivering the punchline with the look of the cat that ate the canary, “I’m a lawyer.”
Zarling is the driving force behind the Charlottesville Comedy Roundtable, which he started after beginning his own standup career and coming to the realization that he’d better improve his craft if he had a little help from friends in the business. Read more
Busy weekend at Gateway
Escape from the overload of turkey, guests and football by joining one of the weekend specials at Wayne Theatre Alliance’s Gateway at 329 West Main in Downtown Waynesboro.
On Friday, Nov. 25, the final round of WTA’s Top Comic Competition will be held at 8 p.m. And on Saturday, Nov. 26, the multi-talented Jesse Harper will bring his mix of folk and jazz and original songs to WTA’s Gateway. The 8 p.m. show will highlight the talented guitarist-songwriter’s special touch.
In last month’s round, eight comics paired off. The competition was fierce. The audience struggled with selecting their final four choices. Battling it out on Friday night are the Central Virginia comics Julian Close, J. F. Ferguson, Brad Foster, and Joe Shea. Again audience members will vote for their favorite. This time the winner will take home the coveted WTA’s Gateway Top Comic Trophy.
On Saturday, singer/songwriter Jesse Harper is continuing as the front man for Old School Freight Train (whom the Boston Herald called the “most talented young string band in the land”) by opening his solo project at WTA’s Gateway. Harper, who has performed with numerous mentors and friends such as David Grisman, Madeleine Peyroux, and Josh Ritter, will play songs from his debut album, “His Best Intentions.” The evening will demonstrate the inspiration Harper draws from jazz, gospel, Americana and blues.
Tickets for both the Friday and the Saturday performances are available online at www.WaynesboroGateway.com at the box office. Tickets are $10.
Gateway’s Top Comic competition back for round two
Eight of the 16 comics from the first round of Gateway’s Top Comic Competition are ready to take the stage for the second round on Friday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. in Downtown Waynesboro.
The comics are among the best new comics in Central Virginia. They call Richmond, Lynchburg, Charlottesville and surrounding areas home. Seeking to be one of the four who will compete in the final round in November are Josh Bluhbaugh, Caitin Carone, Julian Close, TJ Ferguson, Brad Foster, Steve Howze, Zak Krone, and Josan Velez.
The audience will decide which of the eight go on to the final round.
Tickets for Gateway’s Top Comic can be purchased online at www.waynesborogateway.com or at the door. Admission for the 8 p.m. performance is $10.
Gateway’s Top Comic opens Friday night
WTA’s Gateway will present the first round of the Top Comic Competition on Friday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m.
The Charlottesville Comedy Roundtable will organize the Gateway Top Comic Competition. The best new comics from Richmond, Charlottesville and the surrounding area will descend upon Waynesboro to battle it out for the title of Top Comic.
Round One is on Friday, with 16 comics bringing their best five minute sets and going head to head with audience deciding the winners. The remaining 8 will return in October for round two with the audience deciding which four will advance to the finals at the end of November.
Make your reservations now and prepare to help decide who really is the TOP.NEW. COMIC.
Tickets are $10 and are available online at
www.WaynesboroGateway.com or at the door.
