JUNE COMEDY LOSER
the june edition of comedy loser was last night and it was a really fantastic show. we had video, characters, sketch, a ‘white off’ that featured a couple of white dudes trying to prove their ‘whiteness’ in an effort to be declared ‘whiter’ than the other. it was hella fun.
TIRED CLICHES
as the cliche goes, all good things must come to an end. that was the last comedy loser of the season and i’m almost 100% sure that i’ll be producing it here in winnipeg in the fall. comedy loser has built a good following here in winnipeg and that is a true testament of the talent here in winnipeg. the show is nothing without its performers, so a huge thanks go out to the regular cast of comedy loser, and to all those that guested into the show, booked themselves into performers slots, and a thanks to the few of you that liked to crash the show and through ‘an idea’ onstage whenever i needed you because we needed to fill out the show. if/when it comes back in september, there will be some changes made to the show itself. i want the show to be tighter technically, i’m bringing on a stage manager, and i’m going to look at adding a few surprises to the show. in bigger picture terms, i really want to bring in the gang from the loner show (as part of the laugh sabbath series of shows at the rivoli in toronto) and host them for a weekend here in winnipeg. i want to do a comedy exchange typed thing that brings toronto to winnipeg and winnipeg to toronto.
BREAK, BUT I’M WRITING
i’m now officially on comedy break until the third weekend in july. i’m going to take the time to look at my jokes, fix them, rework and rewrite, and cut the jokes that i feel haven’t worked in a long time.
INSECURE COMIC
the shows in edmonton have really rattled me. i did 6 shows in 3 days in edmonton. all were booked through the national aboriginal day committee in edmonton. it was really nice to headline shows at such a major event in an excellent city like edmonton. i am truly grateful for the chance to do it. BUT. the shows were hard on me and my insecurities as a comic and a storyteller. the venues for the shows were not ideal. they were outdoor stages in parks, makeshift stages at city hall atriums, hotel conference rooms, etc. the outdoor, open air shows sucked. i think i sucked.
on national aboriginal day i was at the legislative buildings in edmonton, for the city’s celebration. it was a beautiful day, hot, sunny, and there were about three thousand people out and about in that park. as i walked up to the park i could hear the music playing from the stage. i got excited and nervous once i saw all of the people there. as i approached the stage, i noticed that there were people sprawled on blankets, sitting in lawn chairs, etc. The city had set up about 40 chairs for people to sit on in the front of the stage, but those were mostly empty. as we all know, comedy is a sharing of words/jokes/moments, but sharing them with people that are a couple of hundred feet away on a blanket was the toughest thing i’ve ever had to do. i was sandwiched between some musical acts and when i was brought onto the stage, my intro went something like, “ok, this guys name is ryan mcmahon, and he is mooseguts, a comedian!” i’m sure the lady meant well, but, not exactly a great intro to let people know who i am, what i’ve done, and what they’re going to see in the next 25 minutes. i struggled through an abbreviated set that featured my “native stuff”, my “dad stuff” and a i performed a few “indian top 10′s” that i do on the clarence two toes podcasts. to be honest, i can’t remember if i even got a good laugh from the crowd.
because it was open air, an outdoor festival complete with food booths, hippies selling their homemade hemp necklaces, and government sectors pushing their agenda’s on ‘the indians’, it was easy for folks to escape from my grasps. while delivering jokes and struggling not to kill someone up there, i watched as dozens of folks simply stood up and walked away once i started. that threw me off to say the least. NOW, i know – this is an annoying little rant session from me, but, it was a hard thing to experience. i’m sure some people out there heard a joke or two and they may have got a good chuckle, but as a comedian i want to experience your laughter so as to share that moment with you. not to experience the joy and laughter that accompanies the jokes felt bad and it made/makes me feel really unfunny – even if that’s not the truth. they were hard shows to do, i definately earned my money doing them, and i’m really going to have to rethink how i’d approach that type of situation again if ever faced with it. it made me realize, i’ve got alot to learn.
BACK TO THEATRE
i’m finishing my submission to native earth for the weesageechack festival. i’m really proud of what i’ve written so far. the play involves clarence two toes, the fictional community of moose lake, a cast of ridiculous characters, and some good old fashioned dram-edy. i hope the piece is selected.
THE WIMP #2
i’m booking a date for the next wimp. it might be before the fringe. whoa.
