The host for the evening, Tony Venditti opens the show with class. He is dressed to the nines, and looks somewhat like the Italian restaurant owner at every Italian restaurant in Little Italy. He begins discussing 19 years of marriage, and about life as an Italian. He looks like he belongs in a Vegas Show Lounge, and his comedy matches. While he is a generic comedian with little risks, he has a subtle intelligence to topics that have been explored by a great many comedians. As he explains, he is merely a side dish for the audience, and is about to bring out the main courses. Some might identify him as a comedy relic, but he has enough modernity in his act to keep him current. As a host he warms the crowd up and gets them ready for the remaining acts, therefore he has successfully done his job.
Up next is a guest spot from local comedian Nick Carter. Carter begins discussing his name, and moves on to varying topics. He is slightly hit on by an audience member, and rolls with it. He demonstrates a strong side of spontaneity going with the audience. He has always been a strong writer and growing performer, but tonight he seems much more playful, at ease, and the audience is enamoured with him. His strength in his act is always his wordplay; his writing is carefully crafted and caters to an intelligent audience. He can take one word such as "Hope" and deliver a continuous stream of laughter. Very well done, and he looks ready to take whatever the next step is in his comedy career.
Venditti then introduces Kyle Radke. Yuk Yuk's Ottawa has a knack of getting the most laughs for the patron's dollar. Radke himself is a headliner, and headlines at the Prescott club this weekend and then middles at the Elgin St. location. To follow this, basically tonight two headliner quality acts are performing, good business sense for Yuk Yuk's and excellent for the audiences. Radke has a laid back style, casual while sipping his drink, one feels like they are sharing stories over drinks. He jokes about not wanting to be a father, goes into quite empowering material about women obsessing too much about their looks. For the second time this evening a comedian uses grammar in a joke, this one on double negatives. This audience is thrilled with the material, and Radke himself is WHAT TO WATCH for this weekend.
But wait, there's more.
But wait, there's more.
The host then introduces Jeff McEnery, who takes the stage humbly, some might say passively, a subject he discusses later in his act. His style is similar to Radke in that he is laid back and casual. It takes a minute to adjust to his accent, possibly southern. He is wearing a hockey ball cap over what can only be described as a red hair "fro", with much of the hair hanging over the edge looking like birds wanting to fly away. His silhouette behind him looks exactly like Krusty the Clown. With the hair and the accents, there are worries that this is going to be a Jeff Foxworthy type of performance. Relief is in the air when the audience realizes he is exceptionally smart. He riffs on low culture v. high culture in unique and hilarious ways. He discusses himself, his family, and the world in general, all with well written, and well received jokes. He wins the hearts of the audience, making one wonder who they liked better, McEnery or Radke. When the audience can't choose their favourite because they were both so good, then the show receives a WHAT TO WATCH from JH5.
Get out and support live comedy, and this may just be the show for you! It is accessible, non-offensive, and is mindful about comedy should be: writing jokes that people laugh at, not writing jokes to shock people into laughter.
To reserve please call 236-LAFF
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