Deep down in the cockles of my President’s Choice Deluxe White Cheddar macaroni and cheese clogged heart, there’s a yearning for some recognition.
But not for myself. My need to perform is juxtaposed with my general shyness and predilection for reclusivity.
I’m talking about a group of young folks out there that I can be proud to say are solid new members of the comedy community.
Our humble beginnings lie with Chris McNutt, as he yelled jokes over the patter of drunken yahoos at the original Whitewater Wednesday. Now we have a full roster of comics who, every second Wednesday, bring a bucket-load of yuks to Coasters, on the picturesque corner of 2nd Avenue and Jarvis.
The drunken yahoos might occasionally still be there, but an audience is definitely being built.
For comedy’s sake, the crowd’s attention span is directly proportional to the performer’s material.
I know, there’s some math involved … a danger zone for yours truly.
However, this isn’t a particularly difficult equation when you realize the sheer amount of comedic talent that has crawled out from under the floorboards this past year.
It’s taken a large amount of prodding and metaphorical fluffing (yeah – I said it) to get some of these guys on stage, but now Whitehorse can truly claim to have a mostly thriving comedy scene.
In the past few months, we’ve had the likes of Scott MacDonald, Rob Stalkie, Logan Larkin and Steve McGovern become welcome regulars to the Coasters stage.
In my belief that every good performer deserves an attentive crowd, I wanted to give the opportunity for these relatively new comics to hit a greater range of people.
It is my humble opinion that these fellows are, as the kids say: “Freakin’ hilarious.” (Not knowing many kids, I might be paraphrasing.)
And I think it’s about time for others to realize that as well.
For a Yukon performer there’s no holier a Grail than the Yukon Arts Centre. Standing on the big stage, under the hot lights, with a full audience at your disposal, is pretty awesome. Even when you bomb (Heh.)
Considering that there isn’t a comedy festival anymore, there won’t be many chances for these guys to have that experience.
This disappointed me as there is some great work going into their sets. Just watching these new comics you can see that they’ve practised, paced and panicked to get onto the stage to share their particular brand of humour.
There’s a wide variety of styles and concepts — some really great stuff — that really should be thrown in front of a full, rapt audience.
There is a happening, young comedy scene going on, with some stuff that’s on par and even better than what could be seen at clubs Outside.
Thus we veterans (whatever that means) of the Whitehorse comedy community will be presenting a show at the Yukon Arts Centre on June 11. Joining us will be the aforementioned, plus as many special guests we cram into one memorable evening.
Do your community a favour and come see what’s been brewing at Coasters for the past year at The Last Potluck, June 11 at 8 p.m., at the Yukon Arts Centre.
Tickets are available at the box office and Arts Underground.
Anthony Trombetta is the host of Coaster’s Comedy every other Wednesday at 9 p.m. The next show is June 18. If you want to share your war stories with this comedic veteran, contact him at [email protected].
