By Peter Lindblad
Long ago, in a bygone era when dinosaurs walked the earth (that’s what kids today think anyway), Rich Little was the greatest impressionist in all the land, doing spot-on impersonations of Johnny Carson and Ronald Reagan, among others He sold boatloads of comedy albums and had the market cornered in the ‘80s.
Flash forward to 2024, and Shane Gillis is having a moment, following his much-ballyhooed hosting gig for “Saturday Night Live,” the show that once fired him for making some off-color comments deemed offensive. He’s put that all behind him, and one of his claims to fame is he does an amazing Donald Trump. It’s helped him get to where he’s at today.
Jay Pharoah, another former SNL member, does fantastic impressions of Barack Obama, Eddie Murphy, and Dave Chappelle, among a host of characters.
Neither of them is coming to Wisconsin anytime soon, though, although both were just here. However, one of comedy’s finest, and most underappreciated, celebrity impressionists is on his way, and his show headlines this week’s slate of stand-up shows in the state. Can you guess who it is?
Epic Event Center – Green Bay
Craig Gass, Don Jameison & Rob Brackenridge (March 16) – Do Christopher Walken? Do Al Pacino? C’mon Craig, give us a little Gene Simmons or Sam Kinison. Try to restrain yourself, everybody. Just let Craig be Craig https://getgass.com/. He’ll get to the good stuff. Uncanny in his ability to capture the voice, mannerisms, and cadences of his subjects, as well as their personality quirks, Gass is more than a comic Xerox machine, as the lovable Gass somehow brings out the essence of who they are and what makes them uniquely funny people – flaws and all. He’s been on “Sex in the City” and “King of Queens,” too, and he’s got stories, funny, goofy stories. Jamieson https://www.donjamieson.com/ used to be on “That Metal Show,” and sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll, and booze and bodily functions are on the menu when he’s doing stand-up. Wisconsin’s own Brackenridge https://www.robbrackenridge.com/ sets ‘em up with his offbeat observations and a love for Badger State eccentricities. Find out here why Gass is so good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWQ_3mRpN6g
Comedy on State – Madison
Moshe Kasher (March 14-16) – On an “Endless Honeymoon” with wife and podcast co-host Natasha Leggero, a brilliant comic in her own right, the wonderfully witty, ridiculous, wickedly satirical and self-deprecating Kasher is returning to stand-up with a book to promote. “Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes” is the title, and it’s a page-turner, going in on the worlds of raves, Burning Man, Alcoholics Anonymous, Hasidic Judaism, and deaf culture. Interestingly, both Kasher and Gass come from families with close deaf relatives. As a writer, his credits include films, series, and specials, including “Zoolander 2,” “Wet Hot American Summer,” and “Comedy Central Roasts.” He also wrote “Kasher in the Rye,” another memoir, and in 2018, Kasher and Leggero released a three-part “The Honeymoon Special” for Netflix. Here’s a sampling from his “Live in Oakland” – an oldie, but a goodie – special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMS3hu8Syh4
Milwaukee Improv – Brookfield
Funny Marco (March 15-17) – It takes a lot of chutzpa for a comic to call himself “Funny.” Marco lives up to it, though, with the merry prankster counting Rhianna among his followers. A social media darling, Marco is also an entrepreneur, aligning himself with such brands as Fashion Nova, Spotify, BET, and Footaction. Naturally funny, with a sharp wit, Marco is an aspiring director and creator, who wants to make a whole buffet of television shows and series. “Maybe I’ll be the next Ghetto Oprah!” he says. Anything is possible, Marco. Get you some of Marco making people mad here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsgRqOxhik8, and follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/funnymarco/?hl=en.