On Wednesday, June 13, two comedians will bring their unique brand of humor to The Comedy Connection in East Providence.
Your headliner for the evening, Barry Rothbart, has performed his stand-up on “The Tonight Show,” “Conan,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” and his own Comedy Central Presents Special. Currently, he can be seen on the new Showtime series “Kidding with Jim Carrey” and in the upcoming Melissa McCarthy movie, Happytime Murders. He was named a “New Face” and “Best of the Fest” performer at the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Fest, and as one of Variety Magazine’s 10 Comics to Watch. He has also co-starred in the ABC series “Downward Dog,” as well as making appearances in The Wolf of Wall Street, on MTV’s “Punk’d” and in Demetri Martin’s indie feature, Dean.
The other featured comedian is Greg Barris. Greg is a staple in New York’s downtown stand-up scene and is the creator of Heart Of Darkness, ‘The World’s Most Important Live Event” — a psychedelic showcase of comedy, live music and fringe scientists, which has been a frequent Time Out New York Critic’s Pick, much loved by BrooklynVegan, and hailed as “excellent” by The New Yorker. PAPER describes Greg as “the perfect combination of very good looking, hilarious and super-weird.” Greg’s comedic shorts have been featured on “Funny or Die,” “College Humor” and “Jay Leno’s Laugh Squad,” to name a few, and his debut comedy album Shame Wave is available on aspecialthing Records.
Now that we’ve gotten introductions out of the way, I had a chance to sit down and chat with the boys through the wonders of technology.
Dan Martin (Motif): Hey guys, how are you?
The Guys: Great. We just shared a peach. It was super ripe.
DM: Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?
TG: I’m going to mind soon, but not yet.
DM: How long have you guys been performing respectively/together?
TG: Separately around 15 years. Together we did one tour a few years back. We didn’t argue once.
DM: Is this your first tour together?
TG: Yes.
DM: Greg, have you always been good looking?
TG: Yes. Barry has never been though.
DM: Is this your first time in Providence?
TG: No, Passed through for a reason I can’t remember.
DM: Do you have any favorite facts about RI?
TG: Yes, I just heard its the home of the fifth longest orgasm ever recorded. Amazing.
DM: Barry, you were named a “new face,” what was your old face like?
TG: Riddled with eczema.
DM: Do you have any other stops in New England?
TG: Boston and Chicopee, MA and Brooklyn, NY.
And there we have it — the unflappable Barry Rothbart and Greg Barris. Inspiring us all to pursue our dreams. I’m glad they could find the time in their hearts and busy schedules to teach us the values of eating healthy and sharing. Joke’s on them, however, as I asked way more than a couple of questions! Greg gives me a sense that he is not only modest about his looks, but honest about Barry’s appearance as well. Which, of course, is probably why they get along so well. The key to a lasting friendship, after all, is honesty. So, please come on out to the Comedy Connection and put a former rash-covered face to a name. If all else fails, maybe we can try for Sixth Longest Orgasm ever recorded. And, if that fails, we can string seven together and lie about it.
A NIGHT OF COMEDY WITH BARRY ROTHBART AND GREG BARRIS. Wednesday, June 13 at The Comedy Connection. 39 Warren Ave, East Providence. Doors 7pm, Show 8pm. Tickets and info available online at ricomedyconnection.com
