Sinbad charms audience with off-the-cuff humor
On Thursday, Oct. 20, the Kent State University at Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center welcomed a renowned comedian for two evening performances. Although Sinbad appeared on stage approximately 30 minutes after the original 6 p.m. showtime, due to an unfortunate arrival at the wrong Kent State University campus earlier that day, spectators devoured his stand-up comedy, which was particularly targeted at his audience that night, and left the auditorium with contagious smiles on their faces.
Explaining he had arrived at the Kent State University main campus only to be unexcitedly turned away, and having some serious trouble finding the unpronounceable Tuscarawas branch, Sinbad began his routine as he quipped, “Was calling it Kent State University New Philadelphia too hard?”
From that point forward, Sinbad tailored his tell-it-like-it-is routine from whatever the audience threw at him. After being informed that this part of Ohio is known for its local Amish community, he remarked, “This is an Amish area? But you have traffic all over! If this is the Amish area, they are lying to people. I saw them.”
The audience continued to listen intently as Sinbad revealed he knew of Perry Reese Jr., the legendary Hiland basketball coach, proving he not only did some research prior to his arrival in this part of the Midwest, but that he can adapt well to any audience he encounters.
The comedy continued for approximately an hour and a half, as Sinbad tackled any subject, whether he was mentoring young singles or married couples on relationship issues or touching on his love of the city of Cleveland, although he “won’t go out after 6:30,” and the famous Lebron James “Decision.”
Sinbad frequently asked for feedback from whomever he pointed to at that particular moment, including a local doctor in the front row, a mother and daughter duo just down the aisle or an 18-year-old aspiring baker in the middle of the orchestra seating. Sitting toward the rear of the theater, a mother concerned about her son’s poor grades came under fire, as well as a 25-year-old single woman in the dress circle. Each target took the sarcasm in stride though, as they laughed off the sheer wit coming from the microphoned man on stage.
The format for the stand-up routine proved Sinbad’s reputation as a veteran performer and validated his career in the eyes of those who may have doubted his comedic timing and talent, which first became popular in the 1990s. Each joke seemed to come off the cuff, as Sinbad personalized each comment shouted from his viewers.
Although the audience was rather small, with about half the seating filled, big laughs emanated from within the walls of the auditorium during the night’s first performance, which culminated with an impressive stand ovation.
As they filed out the exits, “I’m laughing so hard my cheeks hurts,” and “I knew he’d be funny, but I didn’t think he’d be THAT funny,” could be heard from still-excited audience members.
Sinbad delivered not only perfectly poignant material sans the crude humor of many mainstream comedians today, but a unique and hilarious performance that audiences would come to see over and over again.
Explaining he had arrived at the Kent State University main campus only to be unexcitedly turned away, and having some serious trouble finding the unpronounceable Tuscarawas branch, Sinbad began his routine as he quipped, “Was calling it Kent State University New Philadelphia too hard?”
From that point forward, Sinbad tailored his tell-it-like-it-is routine from whatever the audience threw at him. After being informed that this part of Ohio is known for its local Amish community, he remarked, “This is an Amish area? But you have traffic all over! If this is the Amish area, they are lying to people. I saw them.”
The audience continued to listen intently as Sinbad revealed he knew of Perry Reese Jr., the legendary Hiland basketball coach, proving he not only did some research prior to his arrival in this part of the Midwest, but that he can adapt well to any audience he encounters.
The comedy continued for approximately an hour and a half, as Sinbad tackled any subject, whether he was mentoring young singles or married couples on relationship issues or touching on his love of the city of Cleveland, although he “won’t go out after 6:30,” and the famous Lebron James “Decision.”
Sinbad frequently asked for feedback from whomever he pointed to at that particular moment, including a local doctor in the front row, a mother and daughter duo just down the aisle or an 18-year-old aspiring baker in the middle of the orchestra seating. Sitting toward the rear of the theater, a mother concerned about her son’s poor grades came under fire, as well as a 25-year-old single woman in the dress circle. Each target took the sarcasm in stride though, as they laughed off the sheer wit coming from the microphoned man on stage.
The format for the stand-up routine proved Sinbad’s reputation as a veteran performer and validated his career in the eyes of those who may have doubted his comedic timing and talent, which first became popular in the 1990s. Each joke seemed to come off the cuff, as Sinbad personalized each comment shouted from his viewers.
Although the audience was rather small, with about half the seating filled, big laughs emanated from within the walls of the auditorium during the night’s first performance, which culminated with an impressive stand ovation.
As they filed out the exits, “I’m laughing so hard my cheeks hurts,” and “I knew he’d be funny, but I didn’t think he’d be THAT funny,” could be heard from still-excited audience members.
Sinbad delivered not only perfectly poignant material sans the crude humor of many mainstream comedians today, but a unique and hilarious performance that audiences would come to see over and over again.
Published: October 23, 2011
