Rhythm and Views

Comedy Tsunami Hits Maui

July 26th, 2010 at 09:35am skayian

Get ready to laugh until you cry, Maui. The 2010 comedy season is full swing.

Internationally known entertainers DL Hughley and Tom Green compete for your attention with headlining gigs, while aspiring professionals hone their chops at improv shows and open mic nights across the island.

Hughley, one of the Original Kings of Comedy, brings his “Unapologetic” world tour to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater Saturday, Aug. 14.

Hughley’s quick wit and biting topical commentary make him a favorite of those who like content with their laughs. That observational aspect of Hughley’s stand-up can cut close however, and often lands the entertainer in the middle of controversy.

We at Rhythm & Views can’t wait to see what Hughley says about his recent controversial appearance on “The View.” During the show, Hughley attributed the spread of HIV in the African-American community to men on the “down low,” closeted bisexual men who hide their gay encounters from their female partners.

If you can’t wait until mid-month for a taste of something edgy, head to Lahaina Aug. 6 for Tom Green’s appearance at The Maui Celebrity Series. This series continues to bring top-notch talent to the intimate Maui Theater, home to Ulalena. Green’s unique, post-cancer comedy mayhem perfectly falls in line behind previous Celebrity Series’ guests David Spade, Tom Arnold, Paul Rodriguez, Joan Rivers, and Roseanne Barr, among others.

Comedy fans wanting to get out of the audience and into the action can check out the monthly “Comedy Hui” improv series at the MACC’s McCoy Theater. The family-friendly show — created in the vein of Whose Line Is It Anyway? — unfolds with interaction between the audience, the cast and a live band. The third show of the improv series is set for Friday, Aug. 20.

Those of us who fancy ourselves comedic diamonds-in-the-rough also love “Tin Can Comedy” open-mic nights, held every Tuesday at Mulligan‘s on the Blue in Wailea. The new weekly comedy show, hosted by Maui radio personality and self-described “circus announcer” Shaggy Jenkins, heads into round two of its championship laugh-offs on July 27. The comic left standing at the end of August will open for Hawaii’s own Augie T at The Iao Theater in Wailuku on Sept. 4. The winner and finalists also receive cash prizes.

R&V has a confession: “comedy season” isn’t real. But the laughter on the Valley Island seems to be peaking this summer; so let the giggles, chuckles and guffaws commence.

by Suzanne Kayian

Entry Filed under: Upcoming Event