Chappelle's Broadway Show.
Could you walk away from $50 million? Because that's exactly what Dave Chappelle did. So he can have a couple hundred of my dollars for a night on Broadway, you can bet your bottom one on that. Especially as the last time I was in New York last fall, I picked the one week The Boss took a week off from 'Springsteen On Broadway' (although I would have had to remortgage the Meadowlands of New Jersey just to afford a ticket). Even if Chappelle let's us have it. Roasting us for burning our hole in our life's saving just to see him share the stage with the unstoppable juggernaut Hamilton across the road he waxes laughing lyrical on too. "I did the same show in Atlanta for $60," he pokes with fun at an audience member in the courtside seats of theatre. Despite being a reason this guy forked so much out for, adding he could have flown return to the ATL and got a hotel for the same price...and a dinner thrown in too. "Enjoy that Playbill" he mocked. Referring to the yellow iconic New York Broadway theatre show program which may just fetch you a return on your investment if you managed to get it Dave Hancocked following this sold out, StubHub soaring in price show, that's just had more dates added then Tinder due to the same demand you wish you had on that swipe left site. Tell that to this sun stroked writer who ended up sat waiting on the sidewalk for an hour at the backstage door. Falling into what was either jet lag induced sleep, or a sunburnt, fainting coma (New York is a different animal in Summer man). Losing his place in line for a selfie and kind word before going to the one part of the gate Chappelle didn't get round to before being bundled into the back of a Chevrolet that disappeared into the electric neons of a Times Square night. What's the opposite of "BYAH"?! What a fail! This isn't like the time I met Wolverine and Rocket the Racoon in the same night. From probably pissing off the nicest guy in the world Hugh Jackman with my dodgy camera asking for too many photos. To Bradley Cooper taking his glove off in the middle of December to shake my hand after telling him his performance in 'Silver Linings Playbook' really helped me with my anxiety. But that's got nothing on Chappelle's story of how Jackson Maine got him to duet with him in his Oscar winning Lady Gaga movie remake he directed, 'A Star Is Born'.
Shallow this wasn't. As letting the old ways of stand-up die, Dave Chappelle gave everyone their money's worth as his encore had everyone wishing they didn't leave their seats early to beat the crowds getting their Yondr (nothing to do with Star-Lord's daddy in 'Guardians Of The Galaxy') phone pouches (the most genius form of crowd camera control I've seen since Prince told us that one of his last (of only it wasn't) concerts was for our memories and not our phones) unlocked so they could tweet everyone about it. Instead of giving us another hallmark, hour-long stellar set, he just asked us for our questions and riffed on a relaxed and rib-tickling talk for almost that long TED. As he answered everything from his opinion on "French", 'Empire' star Jussie Smollett (believe me, it's not often Dave stands up for the "crack sprinkling" police), to just how Bradley Cooper got him to be in his movie after seeing him in London's West End as 'The Elephant Man' (the same standout show I met him at). Not to mention the time he asked a certain 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' actor is he could smell his fingers. Or the one where he met the President (not to smell his fingers), Barack, not the orange is the new black Trump (you definitely wouldn't want to smell that bastards crooked fingers). This stool, sit-down part of the night was really the best. Showing just how intimate and vulnerable stand-up comedy as an art form really can be, like his in the chilled out relax of his post T.V. show tour of wherever he lays his hat. Deserving of its place on that very spotlight stage of theatre that brings the most honest best out of Hollywood's elite. Jeff Daniels is currently down the road in rave reviews 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. Whilst the Mysterio mystery of 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' actor Jake Gyllenhaal is about to make that transition from London bridge's West End. This inspired, improvised Q&A from the 'Half Baked' and 'Con Air' actor meant that every show in this Laker or Bull like double three-peat of nights (more coming in late July due to popular demand) was different from the last in its own unique way. Although just like the show's actual new material set and the reason our phones where locked like we were in airplane mode for this trip, we don't want to spoil a single moment for anyone about to see. Even if we want to talk as you read all about it, like we've said too much already by telling you who and what he jokes about. Laugh and like it, or "relax, you're already here now, you may aswell enjoy it", not.
Controversy has courted Chappelle ever since he walked away from all that money in the millions for the Comedy Central classic, 'Chappelle's Show' over a pixie sketch skit he thought went too far and everyone shouting "I'm Rick James b####" at him in the street (thank God for him it was before the social media age of memes and GIFs). I guess the tourist outside didn't get the memo...and I don't mean me. Hearing, "I'm Rick James' in a foreign accent is as funny as Chappelle impersonating some MAGA supporters from Nigeria. But Dave walked away with good reason. The same good reason that why his Michael Jackson or R. Kelly jokes are so good, despite being so close to the bone. It's satire people. Even when he does tread the line, talking about people like Louis C.K. or the LGBTQ community, he has strong beliefs based in truth to back up his broad slights. Unlike someone like Kevin Hart, this soulful comedian with the best 'Block Party' in town comes away almost unscathed. And he also sticks up for his 'Ride Along' partner in comedy crime too. Even though in talking about Kevin he could have taken this opportunity to go for Hart's neck. Especially as the diminutive dynamo is now head and shoulders above the likes of Chappelle and Netflix co-headliner Chris Rock in modern pop culture popularity ("I'd love to do a show with Chris" he answered an audience member... amazing. Now if only if wasn't sitting in the balcony nosebleeds with a voice that has people siting next to me telling me I need to "speak up" when I'm shouting. I could have asked him why he stole my not being able to finish 'House Of Cards' joke). Chappelle clad in a C logo iconic, Michael Myers jumpsuit at this legendary Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway also gave it up for 'The Daily Show' star comedian Michelle Wolf in standing ovation support with the best period jokes for this period piece theatre. After being M.C. introduced by legendary Toronto, Canada rapper (no not Drake), Kardinal Offishall (if only he dropped some of his own songs on a summer scorching D.J. set), who loved to remind this New York crowd where the new NBA Champions call home...even if Raptor MVP Kawhi Leonard no longer calls it so, clipping in Los Angeles. We hope the playfully dubbed, "most hetrosexual show on Broadway" (nothing wrong with a little camp Chappelle) makes it to Netflix like his four fantastic specials from 'Equanamity' to 'The Bird'. Because we just want to see this and hear all the jokes again, but like that college kid who could afford the front row might not have the money for next semester. The King of Comedy-especially when it comes to his own facial impressions (like his ones of Lil Jon or Prince) reactions-who recently mentored 'Fresh Prince' funnyman rapper/actor Will Smith successfully for his own bucket list, stand up moment owns the biggest stage in the Big Apple arena of the world's most famous city. Chappelle has this great reaction like ours, laughing at his own jokes where his mic can be heard dropping to his knees (we hope that's his mic) as he falls back laughing like a puppet whose has a couple of strings cut. But with nothing left on the floor here, unlike James and Bobby Purify, he's no puppet. The Godfather of jokes and jibes still stands up like on his own, one of a kind two, without losing a single step. No matter how ludicrous he gets like Chris Bridges in his fast and furious formula. Still killing them softly like Ms. Hill, if you are sour, "would you guys like some grapes". He's Dave Chappelle (expletive word that also shares it's name with a female canine). Enjoy yourself! A+. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
No comments:
Post a Comment