Publication Date: Friday, December 19, 2003
Comedy to go
Comedy to go
(December 19, 2003) 'Chopshticks' offers an evening of clean and clever jokes
by Robyn Israel
T axes, for most Americans, are reasons for crying rather than laughing.
But for comedian Robert Mac, there is humor to be found in the annual obligation -- so much so he has incorporated it into his act. The tax return, he said, is his year in review -- if you will -- providing him with plenty of comedic inspiration.
"I think it's the most revealing someone can be, to read their taxes," Mac said. "So many comics are open about their sex life or their politics, but it's still taboo in polite society to discuss how much money they make."
Mac breaks that taboo in his act, which has been described, he said, as "wordy, clever and cerebral" fare. He will be one of three comedians sharing the bill next week at "Chopshticks," which will take place on Dec. 24 and 25 at Ming's Restaurant in Palo Alto. Eric Schwartz and Mike Capozzola are the other comics participating in the event.
Organized by Los Altos resident Gloria Goldblatt, "Chopshticks" is a benefit for the Jewish Coalition for Literacy, which trains and sponsors volunteer reading tutors in public schools. Last year's inaugural event sold out quickly, prompting Goldblatt to add another show this year. And though "Chopshticks" is intended for a Jewish audience, the event is open to all to enjoy.
"This is like a big party open to everyone in the community," said Goldblatt, who teaches English Language Development at the Barron Park Elementary School in Palo Alto.
Goldblatt booked Capozzola, Schwartz and Mac because all three possess the qualities she was looking for.
"I felt these three represented three different styles, but they're all smart, observational, dry and very funny in different ways. The commonality is that they're all very clever for our clever audience."
That should certainly please Mac, a Los Angeles-based comedian who appeared this summer at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal.
"I like college-educated crowds. I like to drop references that people will get. But a lot of comedy club audiences are rowdier and drunker and don't want to listen as much as watch," Mac said. "For me, if you don't follow every word, I'm just a guy talking."
Capozzola also shoots for a "clean and clever" routine. But don't expect to hear humorous observations about men's neckties from the San Francisco comic -- he's simply "not that guy."
"If you were to apply the 'verse, chorus, verse' song (analogy) to (my) comedy, I try to do something at an angle to that. It isn't that formulaic. I like assuming the crowd is a bright crowd. I do things that I appreciate, and I like it when the crowd follows along."
Schwartz will also bring his own unique style to the event, incorporating his love of hip-hop music into his stand-up act. Known for free-styling -- inventing raps off the top of his head -- Schwartz loves to "get the crowd rocking." And, knowing that the majority of the audience will be Jewish, he intends to tailor his routine to suit them, incorporating his own Chanukah songs into his act.
For instance, Schwartz has created his own parody of OutKast's smash hit, "Hey Ya," entitled "Chanukah Hey Ya."
"When I'm mixing hip-hop and Hebrew, I'm just proving that 'Oy 'is 'Yo' backward," Schwartz said.
Schwartz said he finds inspiration in hip-hop comedians, such as Biz Markie and Humpty Hump.
"They're funny and they use music. And I think it's cool these people are just being themselves and nor trying to be like anybody else. That makes them different."
Dubbed "Suburban Homeboy" because he still lives at home with his parents, Schwartz has nevertheless traveled extensively, having been MC for the "WB on Tour," a live show that toured college campuses last year. He has also done other TV spots, such as UPN's "Live in Hollywood" and "Local Comedy Jam" on Mun2. He was also a semi-finalist in this year's San Francisco Comedy Competition.
Capozzola has performed all over the country, and has appeared locally at the Improv, Punchline, Comedy Cellar and Cobb's. To help make ends meet while he pursues his comedy career, Capozzola relies on his background in art, drawing cartoons that appear on greeting cards. He also does independent consulting.
Mac's comedic talent has earned him success in a number of competitions. He won Comedy Central's Laugh Riots Stand-up Competition in 2001 and was a finalist that year in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. In his spare time, he runs Foot!, a San Francisco-based business that offers comedic walking tours of the city.
Mac's long-term goal? The ability to call his own shots more.
"If I could write for a show like 'The Simpsons' -- which I respect -- or if I could be on 'The Daily Show.' But my long-term goal changes every day, depending how close I am to making rent," Mac said.
Doing comedy in Los Angeles, Mac said, is different from doing it in the Bay Area.
"Comedy in the Bay Area is more based on the art of comedy," said Mac, who moved to L.A. a year and a half ago. "In L.A., it's a stepping stone for comics, half-comics and commercial actors who do comedy to further their career. It's not really (done) for the true meaning of comedy down here.
"But this is where the business is sadly. If you want to make it and call your own shots, you have to go through the hoops here," Mac said.
Despite the challenges and obstacles that go hand-in-hand with a life in stand-up comedy, the trio continues to persevere.
"Comedy has a certain adventure and risk, and there's a heightened euphoric sense when you get offstage," Capozzola said. "I feel like I'm in lower earth orbit. There's something really satisfying about a new joke working."
What: "Chopshticks: An Evening of Chinese Food and Comedy." Performers will include Mike Capozzola, Robert Mac and Eric Schwartz. Norm Goldblatt will emcee.
Where: Ming's Restaurant, 1700 Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto
When: Dec. 24 and 25. A no-host bar will commence at 6:30 p.m., followed by a family-style dinner and the show.
Cost: Tickets are $55. Tables of 10 will be reserved in advance; otherwise there will be open seating.
Info: Please e-mail chopshticks@hotmail.com
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