Sure, this upcoming March you can giggle at the fluorescent ecstasy-influenced ensembles that sweep across the beach during Winter Music Conference. And you can secretly snicker at the snooty truffle-oil-and-saffron sect with their fancy palates and out-of-state license plates as they throw down ridiculous amounts of flow during the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. But if you want a good, genuine, gut-buster that doesn't involve food-bloat or a disagreeable magic mushroom, the sixth annual South Beach Comedy Festival is sweeping into town Wednesday, March 2nd to Sunday, March 6th.
And as usual, Comedy Central gives the affair its stamp of approval by returning as this LOL-poloza's national media partner and helping to bring in both big acts you've heard of and super talented up-and-comers. To find who you need to see, read on.
Hottest Ticket:
Kevin Hart
Performing at the Fillmore Miami Beach March 5th (8 and 11 p.m.) and 6th (8 p.m.)
You've seen him alongside Snoop Dogg and Method Man in Soul Plane, with Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan in Death at a Funeral, and getting all kinds of rowdy after being denied a hook-up in The 40 Year Old Virgin. And obviously you want to see much more of Kevin Hart because he's officially broken a SoBe Comedy Festival record with ticket sales and has added a third performance -- Sunday, March 6th (8 p.m.) -- in addition to his two previously scheduled gigs at the Fillmore Miami Beach Saturday, March 5th. Not so surprising since his one-hour comedy special I'm a Grown Little Man on Comedy Central debuted as one of the highest rated specials for the network. So, what makes Hart so funny? Here's a sampler:
The Big Names:
Wanda Sykes and Adam Carolla
Sykes performs at the Fillmore Miami Beach March 4th at 8 p.m.; Carolla performs at The Colony Theater March 3rd, 8 p.m.
C'mon, you know these two! Carolla was the Pinky to Dr. Drew's Brain on Loveline, drunkenly watched girls bounce on trampolines with Jimmy Kimmel in The Man Show, and is the voice of the The Adam Carolla Show. And you've certainly seen Sykes everywhere -- from Curb Your Enthusiasm, to Evan Almighty, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and to her most brilliant role to date Biggie Shortie in Pootie Tang. Both well-known comics have a distinctive sense of humor, both blunt and clever. Need a sample? Since both were involved in the prank-calling puppet show, Crank Yankers, here's a clip of each from the now defunct (but hilarious) show:
Gladys Reports a Turd (Wanda Sykes):
Adam Carolla and Dr. Drew Reach Out to Their Listeners:
The Names You *May* Know But Should Still Check Out:
Doug Benson
Performing at the Colony Theater March 2nd, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.
A bearded stoner armed a raunchy sense of wit, you've seen Benson on Best Week Ever, the fifth season of NBC's Last Comic Standing, the pro-marijuana documentary Super High Me, and sitting on a throne and being one hysterical asshole on The Benson Interruption. Here's a dime bag's worth of his humor:
Up and Coming Locals:
Mad Cat Theater Company
BACKSTAGE @ The Fillmore March 4th at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Locals, Mad Cat Theater Company will present "The Preservation Society". written and directed by Paul Tei who you may have seen on as seen on Burn Notice as Barry the Money Launderer and on Zeke & Luther as Eddie Coletti. The play focuses on Polly Chekhov, a Hollywood, CA comedy writer who's forced to relocate to Hollywood, FL in order to write her grandmother's eulogy, but with distractions from her eccentric family, hilarity ensues. Sure, sounds a lot like the movie Eulogy, but with Tei's local rep as a talented performer and writer, we're sure there's a few surprises to be seen. And if not, we're looking froward to Mad Cat's recreation of the Viking funeral scene.
The Have-Nots
Performing during The South Beach Comedy Festival Local All-Stars on Thursday, February 24th at 7 p.m.
Warm up your funny bone with the Have-Nots, the funniest local comedians that you've never heard of before although their lineup includes previous winners from South Beach Comedy Festival's "Best New Comedian Contest", national touring headliners, and even an Emmy winner. These local all-stars include Lisa Corrao, Wendi Starling, Johnny Trabs, Gene Harding and Dave Williamson. The event is hosted by Miami New Times "Best Club Comic 2010" Jessica Gross and features sounds by DJ V2. For a more in depth view of The Have Nots, check Cultist in the next couple of days, otherwise, here's a teaser of their talent:
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