Spring training is in full swing through the end of the month — and not just for Major League Baseball.
“These are what I call my spring training shows, where I go and do the comedy clubs and mix in new and old material,” said L.A.-based comedian Cedric the Entertainer. “Then I’ll do venues that seat anywhere from 2,500 to 5,000 people and have a solid blend of material that gives my audience a great show.”
Cedric is best known from films like “Barbershop” and as one of the Original Kings of Comedy (along with Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and the late Bernie Mac). But between acting and producing — he’s got four films in various stages of production at the moment — he stays busy with 100-plus stand-up dates per year, including his sold- out gigs at the Denver Improv Friday and Saturday.
We talked to Cedric earlier this week about his tour and what’s tickling his funny bone lately.
Q: All your Denver shows sold out well in advance of this weekend. Is that common for your club dates?
A: Most of them sell out, but last summer was really tough because the economy had taken a big hit, and there were some shows that were only 75 percent full. But it’s always a good thing to be sold out before you come!
Q: Your last HBO special, “Taking You Higher,” was a big, Vegas-style revue with dancers and a brass band. Why don’t more people take that old-school approach to comedy?
A: I think that when you look at the business it’s all about it being raw and almost viral in its energy these days. People like that and don’t necessarily have a great affinity for the bigger show. But I also believe people enjoy something bigger like that because it feels refreshing to them. You feel like you get your money’s worth.
Q: And obviously it would be crazy expensive to bring all that on tour with you.
A: It was a million-dollar production. People often ask me when I’m coming in live if I’m bringing the dancers, but I’m pretty sure my wife wouldn’t let me bring them on the road.
Q: How often do people approach you about an Original Kings of Comedy reunion?
A: If I had a nickel for every time somebody asked me that. … It is something we were entertaining really seriously before Bernie died (in 2008), but it’s been a scheduling challenge. Steve (Harvey) kind of went into selling books and is going on more of a spiritual run, and there were concerns about it all mashing back to together, but I still think about it.
Q: What’s making you laugh lately?
A: Well, I mean, of course Charlie Sheen. He has the most oxymoronic energy you could have. He is the accident you love to watch, and at the same time you never want to see somebody in an accident. But God this dude is entertaining right now. He said that thing about how people who overdose are just dumb and weak. You can actually control your overdose?!
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
“CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER.”
Stand-up comedy. The Denver Improv, 8246 Northfield Blvd. Friday – Saturday. 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday. Sold out. 303-307-1777 or
