Jeff Dunham brings his comedy to Upstate NY

by Rebecca Clark
Static Noise
http://www.staticnoise.net

Being a stand up comic isn’t as easy as it looks. It takes guts and above all talent to have what it takes to get up on that stage. Jeff Dunham is one of the best comedians I have seen who embodies so much talent and is a true genius of his craft. Dunham knows how to do regular stand up comedy, improv, be a ventriloquist, AND he is a host all wrapped into one. I couldn’t help but be in awe when I saw him perform on April 20, 2008 at the Stanley Theater in Utica, NY on Dunham’s “Spark of Insanity Tour.”

Warming up the audience for Dunham was one of his friends known as “Guitar Guy.” Guitar Guy looked like he was in a rock band and played like he was in one too. He joked about looking ridiculous when he was younger and his family. Guitar guy has a son who is in a rock/metal band Avenge Sevenfold. He went onto joke about how every time he sees his son perform he sees his 401k! Overall Guitar Guy’s performance was great and he did an amazing job warming the audience up for the main event.

As soon has Guitar guy left the stage the whole theater became dark and a video played of peanut giving the spectators a sneak peak of what happens backstage before the show. Peanut stole Dunham’s video camera and captured hilarious footage such as, Dunham putting on make up, and Bubba J passed out with beer cans all around and on top of him.

Shortly after the video was over, Dunham came onto the stage and started off his show doing his stand up material. The whole time he had a big smile on his face as he was performing. Dunham did some improv with the audience members. Two girls got up and left about 10 minutes into the show. Dunham immediately started cracking jokes about them when they left and it carried on into his act with Walter when they returned with beers in hand.

Walter was Dunham’s first guest of honor for the night. The crowd went wild as Dunham reached behind him to pull Walter out and began his act. Walter is a bitter, grumpy old man whose criticism is truthful, harsh and witty. Dunham did an amazing job with designing Walter and making his puppet not just a puppet, but also an actual real live character. The way Dunham made Walter’s facial expressions when he talked all the way down to how his arms were crossed made Walter, well Walter!

Dunham was a bit racy compared to his DVD’s, but it was tasteful and funny with a few “dirty” jokes thrown in his act. Walter dropped a few “naughty” words here and there and it turned into an on going thing with Walter. Walter said pussy and Dunham proceeded to yell at him and every time after that when Walter wanted to say pussy he would say, “meow.” Dunham was very clever and even had himself laughing!

Walter also made fun of whoever built the Stanley Theater. The Stanley is a gorgeous and very fancy theater, and because it is a beautiful theater, Walter pointed out that when you see a show the lights are off most the time!

Before Walter had to leave, Dunham announced that he was doing a Christmas show for Comedy Central and in order to have it on television for the holidays he is taping it in June. Dunham asked the audience if they wanted to hear him practice some new material for the holiday show. The crowed cheered with excitement; Walter on the other hand harassed Dunham and kept asking, “Do we really have to do this?”

Up next was Achmed, Dunham’s villainous dead terrorist, but instead of his usual underwear turban, he had on a Santa hat. As Dunham and Achmed began their bit, Dunham had issues with Achmed’s feet not staying in position and as he attempted to fix Achmed’s feet Achmed’s arm came off! It was a random silly thing, but made the situation even more hilarious! Dunham also tested more new material with Achmed for his Christmas special. To help Dunham with his new material Guitar Guy came back on stage. It took a few minutes to get going on the songs because of some technical difficulties. Dunham and Guitar guy kept the audience occupied while things were being fixed. Dunham was being so funny that Guitar guy had to laugh it off before he began playing! Dunham and Achmed sang Christmas songs that you might recognize with Achmed’s terrorist twist! Some songs they sang were “Jingle Bombs” and “Silent! Night.”

After Achmed’s performance Dunham introduced Peanut. The crowd went crazy as Peanut bounced out of his box and onto his place next to Dunham. Peanut’s character matches his outside appearance in every way. He has green fluffy hair, one shoe and is purple. Peanut has a fun loving silly personality and is totally the other extreme of Walter’s character. He is bouncy and nothing but a ball of energy on stage. One of my favorite parts of Dunham and Peanut’s act was when Peanut maked fun of Dunham’s name calling him “Je-fah-fah” as Peanut slowly slipped closer to Dunham flipping his head sideways invading his personal space. Dunham tried to act mad at Peanut but ends up laughing and brushing it off due to Peanut’s charisma.

Dunham and Peanut also bring on the Christmas joy early this year by doing a rendition of the traditional “A Night Before Christmas.” Guitar Guy came back again to help give “mood music.” It took Dunham awhile to get through the story because Peanut kept interrupting him asking him silly and funny questions! To close Peanut’s set Josie Jalapeno on a Stick came out. Jose looks pretty much like he sounds. He is a Mexican Jalapeno on a stick with a sombrero on with a Spanish accent. As Jose tells his stories to Dunham, Peanut chimes in and eventually Peanut and Jose argue!

After Dunham finally settles the fight between Peanut and Jose, Dunham quickly puts Peanut and Jose back into their boxes and announces that “the show is over, that is what you paid for, but I have a special treat for you!” For Dunham’s encore he brought out Bubba J, a redneck, hillbilly beer and Nascar loving character. Bubba J was the perfect character to end with because there are real people in the surrounding Utica area that resemble Bubba J!

The reason why Dunham said Bubba J was the encore or extra part of the show was because Dunham hasn’t worked with Bubba J for awhile and had to refer to notes to get his lines right. Little did Dunham know that the audience knew every word and phrase that Bubba J said. It was a very extraordinary and neat experience hearing the crowd say the lines as if they were singing along to a song at a concert!

For more information on Jeff Dunham and to see if he is coming to a town near you visit his official web site www.jeffdunham.com