Hey, guess what? This page is no longer the home of Michael O'Connell comedy! See photos, videos, show dates, my podcast, and more! Go check out the new site at www.michaelocomedy.com!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
NEW WEBSITE FOR MICHAELOCOMEDY!
Hey, guess what? This page is no longer the home of Michael O'Connell comedy! See photos, videos, show dates, my podcast, and more! Go check out the new site at www.michaelocomedy.com!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Happy Mike Day! The Mikes hit Laughs Unlimited on Thursday, July 18th!
After an appearance on Good Day Sacramento and successful shows at the Sacramento Comedy Spot, the Punch Line and Laughs Unlimited, the Mikes are returning to Laughs for a special birthday show on 7/18. For a Mike.
Join Mike Betancourt, Michael O'Connell, Mike Sinclair and Michael Calvin Jr. for a comedic celebration of Calvin's 33rd birthday at one of Sacramento's premier comedy clubs. There will be drinks and laughs and fun for all. Don't miss out on Happy Mike Day.
Tickets are available for pre-sale HERE.
Laughs Unlimited
1207 Front St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 446-5905
8:00 PM
Tickets $10.00
Be sure to check out the latest Mikes photo gallery at the Mikes Facebook page.
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Mikes are coming to Sacramento Comedy Spot this Friday night, 11/30!
The roster includes comics Mike Betancourt, Michael
Calvin Jr., Michael O’Connell, Mike Osborn and Mike Sinclair, all seasoned
comedians whose faces are well-known in the Sacramento comedy world and
beyond.
The group was assembled by Michael O’Connell, who
realized one day that there were quite a few Mikes doing comedy in Sacramento -
and all of them were very, very funny.
More than that, they were each funny in their own unique way. Putting all of them together in one comedy
show, he realized, would provide a wonderful diversity of comedic styles and a hysterical
experience for audiences.
“I’d worked with all these guys and loved their stuff,”
O’Connell says. “They’re some of my
favorite guys in comedy. I can’t believe
it took me so long to think of all of us joining forces. Kind of like the Avengers. Or Damn Yankees. But, you know, with jokes.”
Their inaugural show at the Comedy Spot is planned to be
the first of many upcoming appearances in California and elsewhere for this new
and exciting comedy tour.
Mike Betancourt, a hard-traveled comedy headliner, is
known to his many fans for his intense, energetic and animated style, and these
fans sometimes end up with him standing on their table during his shows. Unpredictable
and cloaked in mayhem, he’s rocked clubs and colleges up and down the west
coast with his twisted tales and explosive antics, and has worked with such big
comedy names as Jim Bruer, Ralphie May and Dat Phan.
Michael Calvin Jr. has been tearing up comedy stages all
over northern California since 2006. His
magnetic personality and wild, fun stage presence make new fans for him
wherever he goes, from Sacramento to San Francisco to Fairfield to Modesto to
Reno. His love of comedy is infectious,
and his dedication to it so strong that he was even married on Good Day
Sacramento’s Valentine’s Day Show at Laughs Unlimited.
“Wheelchair comedian” Michael O’Connell has turned a
lifetime of disability into a career in comedy, delighting audiences from
Seattle to L.A. with his laid-back, dry style and tales of his life experiences
as a man on wheels. He co-founded the
all-disabled comedy troupe called The Comedians with Disabilities Act and tours
with both them and the Mikes. He’s
appeared on such famed stages as the Laugh Factory in Hollywood and the L.A.
Improv, and counts several celebrities among his fans.
A cast member on Mark at the Movies and a recurring performer on Good Day Sacramento, Mike Obsorn is a sought-after emcee, speaker and, of course, comedian. He’s hosted hundreds of events ranging from comedy shows to charity fundraisers to West Sacramento’s Trucktoberfest. His sharp, observational, tongue-in-cheek writing coupled with his natural charm and easy style make him irresistible to audiences.
With one foot in L.A. and the other in Sacramento, Mike
Sinclair is the epitome of comedy hustle, appearing in clubs, hosting rooms and
lighting up competitions on both sides of the state. The long-time host of the Grown & Sexy
Comedy Show at Sacramento’s A Touch A’ Class nightclub, his smooth style and
hilariously frank humor have made him a favorite of both audiences and fellow
comics. From the Comedy Store in L.A. to
Tommy T’s in Sacramento, Sinclair gets it done, and gets it done right.
Tickets for The Mikes show are $12.00, and are available
for pre-sale the Sacramento Comedy Spot’s web site (www.saccomedyspot.com/mikes). This performance is for audiences 18 and
older only.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Watch the Comedians with Disabilities Act on Laugh Factory Live on your PS3!
There's a new app for the PS3 called Laugh Factory Live. It's free right now, and through the end of this month, and thereafter will cost a subscription of $2.99 per month (so now's the time to try it out while it costs you $0.00). It allows you to not only watch streaming Laugh Factory stand-up shows as they happen (as happened with our show), but they also have an archive of on demand comedy video, where you can watch hundreds of hours of material, including our November 13th performance.
Here's what you do to check this out if you have a PS3.
1) Turn on your PS3. It makes the steps that follow much more enjoyable.
2) Scroll over to the TV/Video Services item on your main menu and click on the "My Channels" icon.
3) From there, scroll down through the services available until you see the Laugh Factory logo. Click on that! Alternatively to all this, you can find the app in the Playstation Store under the "Media & Apps" category.
4) Follow the steps to download and install the app.
5) Sign in to it, and on the first menu, choose "Comedy On Demand".
6) Find and click on "Laugh Factory UNCUT".
7) From there, find and click on "Comedians with Disabilities".
Hope you enjoy. This show was particularly special because of our guest headliner, Geri Jewell, who completely rocked the place. Feel free to pass this information on to your other PS3 pals. Not only can they watch US (which is the most important thing, right?), but can dive into massive pile of amazing Laugh Factory comedy from some of the biggest names in the business. If they can stop playing Call of Duty long enough.
Learn more about Laugh Factory Live HERE and HERE.
Friday, September 28, 2012
The Comedians with Disabilities Act returns to Hollywood - with comedy legend Geri Jewell!
The heralded disabled comedian troupe will be performing on Tuesday, November 13th, at 8:00 PM, in a benefit show for L.A. City College's Office of Special Services. Regulars Steve Danner, Nina G, Eric Mee and Michael O'Connell will be joined by Jewell for a night of differently-abled laughter to raise monies for programs that benefit LACC disabled students.
Comedian/actress/author/speaker/trainer Geri Jewell is best remembered as Cousin Geri on the 80s sitcom The Facts of Life, where she became the first disabled person to have a regular role on a television series. She went on to appear in such shows as 21 Jump Street, The Young and the Restless, and as a regular on the hit HBO series Deadwood. But she began her career in comedy, which is her first love, and has been seen on many cable comedy shows like A&E's Evening at the Improv and VH1's Stand Up Spotlight over the years. These days, when not acting or performing, Geri is in high demand as a motivational speaker and diversity consultant for Fortune 500 companies and the US government. She has also written her autobiography, "I'm Walking as Straight as I Can", detailing her life living with cerebral palsy and overcoming disability barriers in Hollywood and beyond.
The Comedians with Disabilities Act formed when four northern California comics, all with different disabilities, decided to team up to create a unique, hilarious and unforgettable comedy tour. Eric Mee is the visually impaired comic. Steve Danner is a little person. Michael O'Connell has Muscular Dystrophy and is in a wheelchair. And Nina G is a comedienne who stutters. They've performed at comedy clubs and college campuses all over California, and are now returning to the Laugh Factory to follow up their first blockbuster performance there in 2011.
Monies raised will be going to L.A. City College's Office of Special Services, and audience members are promised a night of "accessible" comedy like they've never experienced. The Sunset Strip is about to get "special".
The Laugh Factory
8001 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 656-1336
8001 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 656-1336
Saturday, September 1, 2012
The Sacramento Comedy Festival - 9/7/12 - 9/15/12!
Last year, Brian Crall--owner of the Sacramento Comedy Spot--brought the dream of Sacramento having its own comedy festival to life. This year, it's back and bigger than ever, with an amazing assemblage of comedy shows, ranging from improv to sketch comedy to variety shows to game shows to stand-up, bringing together performers from L.A., Denver, the Bay Area, and right here in Sactown. Shows will take place at both the Sacramento Comedy Spot and Luna's Cafe, and will be happening every night of the festival.
Improv comedy shows will include such teams as Anti-Cooperation League, The Neighbor's Kids, Awkward Face, Lady Business, Lipstick Librarian, Bro Squad 5 and Comedy Sportz Sacramento, as well as the popular In Your Facebook show that uses the Facebook pages of audience members as improv fuel for the performers. Sketch comedy will come from The Syndicate, Comedy Space (presented by creator Ray Molina), and Critical Hit (the geek-centered comedy show, created and hosted by Nick Pettigrew). The Retrocrush.com Comedy Show will be a variety show that will be taped for a web series, and will include special guest Charlotte Stewart (Little House on the Prairie). The Sacramento Comedy Spot's own weekly podcast/game show, The Top 10 List Podcast, will be taping two live shows during the festival, and I Challenge You will have audience contestants competing in trivia and funny physical challenges. The late night Dirty Comedy Show will not be for the faint of heart. Special guests to the festival will include Jeff Sloniker (Reno 911, Parks and Recreation) and Betsy Sodaro (Animal Practice). Musical guests will include Dog Party and Picard Maneuver.
Tickets are available now for purchase online, either for individual shows (ranging from $5.00 to $12.00) or the all-encompassing Unlimited Festival Pass ($55.00) that will let you see any and every show of the Festival. Beer is served at both the Sacramento Comedy Spot and Luna's Cafe. No minimum is required.
Click the logo below to go to SacComedyFest.com for a full schedule of events, performer list, event info and to purchase tickets.
Read the article on the Festival in Submerge Magazine here.
Michael O'Connell will be performing in Stand-Up Extravaganza #1 at the Sacramento Comedy Spot on Friday, 9/7, at 10:30 PM.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Ready to try comedy? Here's how.
Over on my Tumblr page, I wrote a really big six-part series called "So You're Ready To Try Comedy". It's written for the person who's never tried stand-up before, and it walks you through all the steps, from how to write a joke to how to find an open mic room to how to get up there and finally strut your stuff. It's written from my perspective, based on my experience getting started and what I've learned along the way in the world of comedy. All you'll need to know (or at least most of it), all for free. What a deal!
So if you're done with the "Do I have what it takes?" question and ready to get your start, I hope what I have to say on the matter is helpful for you. It all starts right HERE with part one. Jump on in, and good luck!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Smokin' & Jokin' Returns!
The return of this show also marks the return of comedian Jason Resler, now the first comic to make two appearances at S&J. Fans enjoyed him that much the first time around. So I'm bringing him back for more, and hopefully drawing some of those never-been-to-a-cigar-lounge Resler fans in. Jason's been on the road touring a lot, so getting him back in Sac is a rare treat. We're taking full advantage of this brief window before he's right back on the highway.
As always, Smokin' & Jokin' is a two-headliner show, and I've been dying to fit in comic #2 for some time. It's none other than Steve Danner, one of my partners in the Comedians with Disabilities Act comedy troupe. Steve has rocked rooms from the Punch Line in San Francisco to the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, and I can't wait to see what he can do with my favorite cigar lounge.
I will be your host, and look forward to lighting up and laughing-out-loud with all of you, so please, join the fun! Tickets are on sale at the door, and cost $10.00. Early arrival is highly recommended as seating in the place is limited (early arrival is the difference between getting a plush leather seat and getting a plastic chair). Advance notice: cigar and pipe smoking only is allowed in Tobacco Road - no cigarettes. If you're a cigarette smoker, you can just step outside and come right back in after. No worries.
Let us smoke! And joke!
Tobacco Road
2912 Pasatiempo Lane
Sacramento, CA 95821
916 489 4590
2912 Pasatiempo Lane
Sacramento, CA 95821
916 489 4590
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Michael O'Connell Does Comedy at The Place - Sunday, July 29th
Coming up on Sunday, July 29th, I'll be teaming up with some of my favorite comics to do the inaugural show for Comedy Night at The Place, where an evening of laughs will erupt in one of Roseville's hottest hot spots.Put on by Sam Bruno Entertainment, the show will be hosted by Sam Bruno himself, and will feature me, D.S. Davie and Jason Armenio. I've been fortunate enough to work with all of these guys, but never all in the same show! You're going to love their stuff as much as I do. And we're going to be keeping it clean, so if you're offended by the raunchy stuff, we got your back.
The Place is an Italian restaurant and bar in downtown Roseville, and is probably my favorite eatery in town. Owners (chef) Mike and (pastry chef) Moneka McDermott have created a relaxed, intimate and classy atmosphere where you're made to feel right at home. And the food! You got-a pizza, you got-a pasta, you got-a panini! Loads of great eats. The kitchen will be closing for the comedy show, however, so if dinner is on your mind, I'd say show up an hour or two earlier than the shows 7:00 PM start time. But cocktails will be flowing at the bar, and you will need to buy two of them! No tickets to buy for this show, but yeah, your standard two-drink minimum. Such a small price to pay for such amazing-a comedy!
Come on down and check us out, why don'tcha? All the magic will be happening here:
The Place
221 Vernon St
Roseville, CA 95678
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 742-5447
It's looking like this show may be pretty packed, so I would advise early arrival to guarantee seating. We'll see you there!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Back in Sac: The Comedians with Disabilities Act returns to Sacramento Friday, May 4th!
Brought together by comedian/producer Keith Lowell Jensen, the group, at that time, consisted of Michael O'Connell, Steve Danner and Eric Mee. Based on the success of that first show, the group was booked at the heralded San Francisco Punch Line soon after, and were joined by a guest-set performer named Nina G. Nina was immediately recognized as the element that no one had even realized was missing and was added to the tour, completing the foursome that began playing clubs, theaters and college campuses across California together.
Finally, on Friday night, May 4, 2012, the Comedians with Disabilities Act will finally be returning to the place where it all began, performing a one-night only show at the Comedy Spot at 9:00 PM. Returning, also, will be Keith Lowell Jensen, who will be hosting the festivities. In addition, the show will feature a special guest performance by San Francisco comic Steve Lee, another disabled performer. All the members of the Act have high hopes that, as long as they're repeating history, that the sellout part will repeat again as well.
Advance tickets are available for purchase on the Comedy Spot's web site, and early buying is strongly recommended based on the demand for this tour. Tickets are $15 and can be ordered here:
http://saccomedyspot.com/comedians-with-disabilities-act/
The venue is roughly at 20th and J Street in midtown Sacramento:
Sacramento Comedy Spot
1050 20th St. Ste 130
Sacramento, CA
916 444 3137
Don't miss out on California's favorite differently-abled comedians in their homecoming show!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Comedians with Disabilities Act coming to Red Bluff and Oakland!
Everyone's favorite differently-abled comics will be hitting the State Theatre in Red Bluff, California, on Saturday night, February 11th, for a big to-do brought to you by Z-NIRP Productions, bringing the funny to the peoples of the great Cal north. The show starts at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $20 at the door, but discount tickets are available now at Red Bluff Grocery Outlet and Sky River Music. Don't miss this chance to see their "special" brand of comedy and find out why the San Francisco Examiner called them "The most unconventional comics to pop up in 2011".
Read all about it in After Five Magazine here.
The State Theatre
333 Oak Street
Red Bluff, CA 96080
530 529 2787
Comedy Off Broadway Oakland
Miss Pearl's Jam House (at The Waterfront Hotel)
1 Broadway (at Jack London Sqaure), Oakland, CA
Miss Pearl's Jam House (at The Waterfront Hotel)
1 Broadway (at Jack London Sqaure), Oakland, CA
510 214 2626
Stay tuned for more news of upcoming dates for the Comedians with Disabilities Act tour to be announced soon!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Michael O'Connell at Jon Lovitz Comedy Club and Hollywood Improv this week!
In both cases, I'll be standing in (so to speak) with a show called The Crippled Kings of Comedy, one produced by Dante the Comedian (Last Comic Standing). It, too, will feature a group of all disabled comics. I'm very much looking forward to meeting some of the disability brothers and sisters from the SoCal area and seeing if I can represent well for NorCal (recognize!).
The first show is this Wednesday night, October 26th, at 8:00 PM, and will be at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club (1000 Universal Studios Blvd #222, Universal City, CA 91608 - 818 824 6545) on the famed Universal CityWalk right outside Universal Studios.
Show #2 will be Sunday night, October 30th, at 7:30 PM at the Hollywood Improv (8162 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 - 323 651 2583). As for the days between the two shows, I'll be hanging around LA and seeing what else I can make happen. Strange things come to pass in the magical land of Hollywood, you know...
So if you're in SoCal, come on out and see me while I'm in your neighborhood! Two chances in one week! Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The Comedians with Disabilties Act at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, October 4!
On Tuesday night, October 4th, handicapped parking will be a little harder to find on the streets of Hollywood.
The Comedians with Disabilities Act, the all-disabled comedy troupe, will bringing their "special" brand of funny to the legendary Laugh Factory on Sunset Boulevard for an unforgettable night of hilarity to benefit Los Angeles City College's Office of Special Services. The fundraiser will provide funds for tutoring for LACC students with disabilities.
In their first performance since their highly successful and heralded Special Olympics fundraiser show at Napa's Uptown Theatre, the group - made up of Steve Danner (little person), Michael O'Connell (wheelchair) and Nina G (comedienne who stutters) - will be joined by special guests to provide a night of decidedly unconventional humor.
Eric Mee, the visually impaired regular on the tour, will not be performing in this particular show.
Formed in 2010, the cadre is comprised of working comedians who decided to combine their unique situations into a comedy show that fans hadn't seen before, one where they milk their individual challenges for hysterical storytelling, and at the same time take the chance to educate the public on disabled peoples and issues. Called "The most unconventional comics to pop up in 2011" by the San Francisco Examiner, the northern California-based team they are making their first appearance as a group in southern California.
Steve Danner
Steve Danner’s comedy career began as an audience member at a club. The comedian on stage that night decided to have some fun at his expense, and Danner’s skills in heckling back at him led the comic to approach Danner after the show and suggest he give comedy a try. He did so, and soon began a career as a prolific comedian and producer, delighting crowds at clubs and comedy rooms all over the west coast with hysterical tales centered heavily on his dwarfism. His comic journey keeps him on the road much of the time, but as Danner is fond of saying, “Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy!”.
Michael O'Connell
Michael O’Connell was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at two years old and went into a wheelchair full time in 1995. But it wasn’t until years later that a friend dared him to try doing comedy at an open mic night at a Sacramento club, and after ending up winning the competition that first night on stage, he never looked back. He’s played comedy clubs from Seattle to San Diego, been featured in newspaper and on radio and television, and counts several Hollywood celebrities among his fans. His business card reads “100% Comedy, 0% Stand-Up”.
Nina G
Touting herself as “the world’s only female comedian who stutters”, Nina G hails from the Bay Area and has spent a lifetime dealing with both speech and learning disability issues. A key note speaker and disability activist, Nina turned her talents to the stand-up stage to help raise disability awareness through comedy, and performs at some of the industry’s hottest clubs (the Hollywood Improv and the Purple Onion) and has shared the stage with some of its biggest names (Dave Chappelle).
Kathy Buckley and John Kevari
The regulars will be joined for the fundraiser by two special guest comedians, both Los Angeles locals. The headliner for the night will be America's first hearing-impaired comedienne, the award-winning actress, author and motivational speaker Kathy Buckley. Her list of televised appearances is overwhelming (The Tonight Show, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Entertainment Tonight, just to name a few), her accolades are astounding (from such names as Colin Powell and Anthony Robbins), and she has touched hundreds of thousands of lives through her acting (shows such as Touched by an Angel and her critically acclaimed one woman Off-Broadway show), her writing, and her motivational speaking engagements all over the world.
Also performing is Los Angeles comedy veteran John Kevari. Born with two fingers on one hand, John grew up watching the giants of comedy on Johnny Carson and feeling drawn to stand-up "like a moth to a flame". After reading an article in People Magazine about the Comedy Store in 1986, the then-23-year-old caught a bus from his home in San Bernardino to Hollywood and did his first stage appearance there on a Monday night show. That first success has led to over 25 years of bringing laughter to LA's biggest comedy clubs, and to showing audiences how to turn adversity into hilarity.
The Comedians with Disabilities Act fundraiser show begins at 8:00 PM at:
The Laugh Factory
8001 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Tickets will be sold at the door. Valet parking is available.
An additional free comedy show featuring the Comedians with Disabilities Act will take place earlier in the day at 2:00 PM at the Camino Theater at Los Angeles City College, for students and faculty of LACC only.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Michael O'Connell to perform opening night at Sacramento Comedy Festival
As fans of comedy, most folks watch YouTube clips, catch specials on Comedy Central, watch Saturday Night Live or buy a stand-up CD or DVD from some well-known performer. But while this is all well and good and perfectly fine, people don't realize that they're missing out on the real energy of comedy, the raw essence of it, the laboratory where it's birthed (or stillborn). They don't realize that they have access to the very crucible where all those voices and faces from TV and the web start out and pay their dues and become the household names that go on to make movies and blow their noses with hundred dollar bills (if I was Sandler, that's what I'D do when I had a cold...).
This is the arena of live local comedy. And you don't have to go to LA or New York or Chicago to find it. It's right here in Sactown. It's in our local comedy clubs. It's in all of our many open mic rooms that you can find almost any night of the week in the area. It's in bars. Sometimes it's even in cigar lounges (thank you, thank you very much). It's traditional (and experimental) stand-up. It's improv groups. It's sketch comedy. It's every flavor of funny that your heart desires.
And the even better news is that for four days this September/October, you don't even have to look all over town trying to find it. Because it's all going to be in one place.
The Sacramento Comedy Festival is a four-day showcase of the best Sac (and San Francisco, and a little LA) has to offer. Taking place at the Sacramento Comedy Spot downtown, it will feature multiple shows from Thursday (September 29) to Sunday (October 2), allowing you to sample as little or as much as you please. Broken down by genre (improv, sketch, stand-up), these shows will range in cost from $8.00 to $12.00 each, but there are package deals available to let you get great savings for buying all-day passes or the big full-weekend pass. All told, you'll have 20 different comedy shows to choose from, all filled with some of the best and brightest talent from around the region. You like the old stool-n-mic stand-up? Come see folks like Ellis Rodriguez, John Ross and Nick Aragon (and San Francisco treats like Nina G, Mary Van Note and Marty Grimes). More a fan of SNL or Kids in the Hall? Laugh it up to sketch comedy groups like The Syndicate, Uphill Both Ways or Van Full of Candy. Or do you like the Who's Line is it Anyway? frenetic comedy style that only improv can bring you? Marvel to the lightning-quick hilarity of Sacramento's Anti-Cooperation League, LA's Bro Squad 5 or Oakland's Awkward Face.
The stand-up part of the Festival begins Thursday night (9/29) at 9:00 PM, when I'll be lucky enough to be performing with some of my favorite people in Sac comedy world - Keith Lowell Jensen, Ray Molina, Eve David, Josh Barbee and Johnny Taylor. For those of you who've been asking when I'm going to be on stage in Sac again, you now have your answer. Ten bucks will get you a ticket to see all six of us. Or, if you're REALLY smart, you'll grab up that weekend pass and spend four days laughing your arse off at all the amazing acts that Brian Crall - owner of Sacramento Comedy Spot - is bringing together for your knee-slapping pleasure.
For the full schedule for the festival, a full list of performers and a link to grab tickets, just click here for the skinny:
If you've been meaning to delve further into your town's comedy scene, you'll never get a better chance, Sac. Come on down to midtown and see some of the folks you'll be later able to tell your "I saw them when" stories about. Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Comedians with Disabilities Act this Saturday, July 30, at the Uptown Theatre in Napa!
“Lots of able-bodied comedians out there tell blind or wheelchair jokes and get the audience to laugh AT the handicapped,” said Michael O’Connell, the group’s wheelchair representative. “But wouldn’t it be more fun for the crowd, we thought, to be invited to laugh WITH the handicapped instead? That’s guilt-free fun right there.”
Since their first sold-out show in Sacramento, the group has been in growing demand, getting booked at such lauded venues as San Francisco’s Punch Line comedy club and at college campuses. Their comedy comes from the lifetime of experiences each has had due to their individual challenges. They see the tour as not only a chance to entertain, but to educate people on disability issues.
“We’re all comedians first,” said Napa native Steve Danner, the comic who is a little person, “and it’s a comedy show. But who says you can’t make people laugh and send them home with something to think about too?”
Danner’s comedy career began as an audience member at a club. The comedian on stage that night decided to have some fun at his expense, and Danner’s skills in heckling back at him led the comic to approach Danner after the show and suggest he give comedy a try. He did so, and soon began a career as a prolific comedian and producer, delighting crowds at clubs and comedy rooms all over the west coast with hysterical tales centered heavily on his dwarfism. His comic journey keeps him on the road much of the time, but as Danner is fond of saying, “Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy!”.
Michael O’Connell was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at two years old and went into a wheelchair full time in 1995. But it wasn’t until years later that a friend dared him to try doing comedy at an open mic night at a Sacramento club, and after ending up winning the competition that first night on stage, he never looked back. He’s played comedy clubs from Seattle to San Diego, been featured in newspaper and on radio and television, and counts several Hollywood celebrities among his fans. His business card reads “100% Comedy, 0% Stand-Up”.
Eric Mee was only eighteen years old when, while protecting a young child, he was stabbed in the chest. Complications resulting from his injury led to the loss of his eyesight. Choosing not to let this drastic life change get him down, he began joking about his condition and giving speeches to groups that were always filled with humor. After many suggestions, he turned his talents to stand-up comedy, and now brings his manic energy and outrageous tales to the stage.
Touting herself as “the world’s only female comedian who stutters”, Nina G. hails from the Bay Area and has spent a lifetime dealing with both speech and learning disability issues. A key note speaker and disability activist, Nina turned her talents to the stand-up stage to help raise disability awareness through comedy, and performs at some of the industry’s hottest clubs (the Hollywood Improv and the Purple Onion) and has shared the stage with some of its biggest names (Dave Chappelle).
This concert features a special guest performance by Los Angeles comedian Samuel J. Comroe, a fast-rising stand-up star with Tourette Syndrome. Comroe learned back in school how to get others to laugh about (instead of at) his condition, and used to perform comedy shows on his high school campus at lunch for fifty cents a person. This love of comedy turned into career, and he’s now a regular at LA laugh spots like the Improv, the Ice House and Flappers, has won several comedy competitions (including placing 8th out of 101 in the World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas) and has taken his one-of-a-kind performances nationwide.
Produced by Big Mini Entertainment, the benefit concert begins at 8:00 PM (doors open at 7:00 PM). Tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased at the box office or through Ticketmaster.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
"Smokin' & Jokin' II" this Friday, July 8, at Tobacco Road!
After its monster debut, Sacramento's only comedy and cigar event returns to kick the jokes and light the smokes once more. Attendees will enjoy fine cigars from Tobacco Road's mammoth humidor while being treated to comedic sets from some of Northern California's finest comedians.
Veteran comic Kristen Frisk, winner of 2010's Tommy T's Talent Search Finals, has been dazzling audiences solo and as part of one of California's hottest comedy tours - "The Real
Ellis Rodriguez, the Boston-born son of Panamanian immigrants and former Marine, is a west coast comedy power player who's a regular favorite at clubs like the Hollywood Improv, the Laugh Factory, Tommy T's, Pepperbelly's and Laughs Unlimited, and recently completed taping on his soon-to-be-released comedy DVD "Go Be a Clown". Smokin' & Jokin' audience members will get a chance to see this dynamic, charismatic and much-heralded performer in an intimate (and smoky) venue.
The show will be hosted by wheelchair comedian Michael O'Connell, a regular at Tobacco Road and a player at comedy clubs from Seattle to San Diego. The creator of Smokin' & Jokin', he is also one of the founders of the "Comedians with Disabilities Act" comedy tour, a troupe of disabled comics that have brought their unique brand of funny to venues like the San Francisco Punch Line and are preparing for their July 30th blockbuster show at Napa's Uptown Theater.
The second Smokin' & Jokin' show brings a new twist as the hour before the show begins (7:00 PM to 8:00 PM) will become Amateur Hour, when audience members will be invited to come up and try their hand and telling a joke at the mic before an audience. This portion will be for amateurs only. No working comedians will be able to perform.
Handling sound and spinning Rat Pack music for the show will be NorCal's DJ Rob, whose skills and tunes will set the tone for this exclusive and unforgettable evening.
Sponsoring the show will be Punch Cigars, and Punch's representative, Ed Trevino, will be on hand with cigar deals, offers and merchandise.
Tickets for the event will be $10.00 and will be for sale at the door only. No advance tickets sales will be provided. Seating is limited due to the venue's size, so early arrival is strongly recommended. Early arrival also allows plenty of time to relax, enjoy the lounge's friendly atmosphere, and light up a stogie or two.
Smokin' & Jokin' II will go down at:
Tobacco Road Cigar Lounge
2912 Pasatiempo Lane
(at Town & Country Village, corner of Fulton and Marconi, across from Trader Joe's)
Sacramento, CA 95821
916 489 4590
Come spend your Friday night lounging and laughing at Tobacco Road!
Monday, June 13, 2011
The "Comedians with Disabilities Act" at Bunjo's Comedy Lounge in Dublin, CA - 06/17/11!
All your CDA regulars will be hitting the stage: Eric Mee, he of the visual impairment; Steve Danner, he of the little personification; Nina G, she of the sharp (and stuttering) tongue; and Michael O'Connell, he of the four-wheelin' joke-dealin'. They will be joined by special guest performer Sandy Selvi, an MS survivor, stem cell recipient, author, speaker, and hysterical comedienne.
Bunjo's Comedy Lounge is located inside the Willow Tree Restaurant in Dublin (just minutes away from Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon, Fremont, Castro Valley and Hayward) and is fast becoming a major go-to spot for Northern California comedy, featuring performers from HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime, Jay Leno, David Letterman and More. Food can be ordered from the restaurant before or during the show, featuring the Willow Tree's heralded Chinese cuisine.
Bunjo's Comedy Lounge
@The Willow Tree Restaurant
6513 Regional Street
Dublin, CA 94568
925-264-4413
The show begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the event or online at www.bunjoscomedy.com.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
My 1-Hour Interview on Disabled Radio
I first met Disabled Radio host Rob Pritts when I called in to chat on the show where fellow Comedians with Disabilities Act member Nina G was the guest. Rob asked that I come back and do the show myself, and I said I'd love to, and we set a date and made it happen. I've done quite a few radio spots during my time in comedy, but about 20 minutes is the max I've done. On this show? A full hour, with just me. Could I possibly talk about myself, comedy and disabilities for a full hour?
You've met me, right?
So Rob and I did the show, and it was a blast! We talked about a whole range of subjects related to both comedy and disability, as well as my life in general. We also got to interact with some cool folks via Disabled Radio's chat room, including my pal Martin who was catching the show live. I was really pleased to be a part of something like Disabled Radio, which works as a fantastic venue to bring disabled people together and to educate the "abled" at the same time. Big thanks again to Rob for having me on. And we're talking about getting a show together with all four members of the Comedians with Disabilities Act soon, so looking forward to that quite a bit!
If you'd like to hear my appearance (the whole damned hour of it), just click here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/disabledradio/2011/05/19/enter-laughing
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Davis gets schooled this Thursday night with "Comedy Binge"!
Davis is about to get a whole lot funnier.
This Thursday, April 14th, stand-up drops on Davis in a big way with the premiere of "Comedy Binge" at the Graduate, a new monthly showcase featuring some of Northern California's best comics.
Davis local comedian Cory Guebels, producer and host of Comedy Binge, has pulled together some of the best working comics from Sacramento, Stockton and Lodi to launch the endeavor. The comics include Nick Aragon, Jason Armenio, Michael O'Connell, Josh Barbee, John Ross and Keith Lowell Jensen.
Noting the lack of stand-up in the city of Davis, Cory took it upon himself to change that. As the title of the show suggests, instead of bringing in just a headliner and an opener, he wants to over-stuff the audience with multiple comedic courses, giving the crowd a variety of styles to sample and a cross-section of what the NorCal scene has to offer. The next show is already booked for May, with a new roster of exciting young comics ready to joke it up for the Graduate.
Doors will open at the Graduate at 8:00 PM, and the show starts at 8:30. The cover charge at the door is $5.00.
The Graduate
805 Russell Blvd #A
Davis, CA 95616
530 758 4723
805 Russell Blvd #A
Davis, CA 95616
530 758 4723
NOTE: Comedy Binge comedians Jason Armenio and Michael O'Connell will be appearing the day of the show on the "Radio Parallax" program on KDVS 90.3 FM to promote the event. The program runs from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and can be streamed live off the web here.
Friday, March 18, 2011
"Smokin' & Jokin'" comedy show at Tobacco Road on Friday, April 8th!
Ramp Up Productions proudly presents Smokin' & Jokin', a night of cigars and comedians at Tobacco Road Cigar Lounge in Sacramento, Friday night, April 8th, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
The show will be hosted by comedian and cigar enthusiast (and not necessarily in that order) Michael O'Connell, and will feature the double-headlining talents of two of northern California's finest stand-ups, Keith Lowell Jensen and Sean Peabody.
Sean Peabody is a veteran of the stand-up circuit and has headlined comedy clubs and colleges all over the west, as well as shows for the troops overseas (Sean being an ex-Marine himself). Known for his crowd interaction and extroverted style, Sean always leaves audiences dazzled, and is considered by many a California stand-up to be the "comedian's comedian".
Keith Lowell Jensen gained fame as part of the "Coexist?" comedy tour and as a solo comic has played clubs from L.A. to New York, opening for some of the biggest names in the business (like Norm MacDonald and Robin Williams). He also directed and starred in the documentary film "Why Lie? I Need a Drink" and is set to release his second comedy CD.
Michael O'Connell is in a wheelchair and makes jokes about being in a wheelchair and therefore people laugh because they're afraid to hurt the feelings of a guy in a wheelchair. In other words, everybody wins.
Tickets for Smokin' & Jokin' are $10 at the door, and those attending are encouraged to show up early, as seating is limited. A couple of Tobacco Road notes:
This will be a smoky room, as audience members will be lighting up and smoking cigars and pipes. It's recommended that only those who feel they're okay with sitting in a smoky room for a couple of hours attend this show.
Cigarette smoking is not allowed in the Tobacco Road lounge. Cigar and pipe smoking only. Cigarette smokers and can step outside to smoke and head back in at their discretion.
Bringing one's own cigars is not permitted, much in the same way bringing one's own bottle of vodka is not permitted at bars. Tobacco Road has an enormous walk-in humidor with a vast range of cigars to suit any cigar fan's tastes, so you're sure to find just the right stogie (or two!) to suit you as you enjoy the show.
Tobacco Road is located at Town & Country Center at the corner of Fulton and Marconi in Sacramento, right across from the Trader Joe's. The address is:
Tobacco Road
2912 Pasatiempo Ln
Sacramento, CA 95821
916 489 4590
2912 Pasatiempo Ln
Sacramento, CA 95821
916 489 4590
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