Comically Fortified

Pure comedy should be widely relatable, a titter-inducing double helix of universal truth and common experience. This may be why scholars and simpletons alike find the same inherent joy in the most ordinary of humorous occurrence, whether it's a pie in the face, a "your mama so fat" joke or...

By Geoff Johnston

November 15, 2007

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Pure comedy should be widely relatable, a titter-inducing double helix of universal truth and common experience. This may be why scholars and simpletons alike find the same inherent joy in the most ordinary of humorous occurrence, whether it's a pie in the face, a "your mama so fat" joke or a toddler inadvertently crushing their father's testicles with an errant swing of a wiffle ball bat. Pat Hazell may have risen from the suit jacket-strewn aftermath of the 1980s stand-up explosion, but he's far from some run-of-the-mill Night at the Improv hack. He not only wrote for Seinfeld—he also served as the guy who warmed up the studio audience before tapings of the show. His act is nostalgic, warm and fuzzy modern Americana, all cereal bowls and Mattel toys. While it may not be edgy or cutting-edge or even "cutting edgy," what Hazell lacks in extemporaneous vulgarities he makes up for in actual hilarity. Pat Hazell opens the Eisemann Center's (2351 Performance Drive in Richardson) Theatre Comedy Series this weekend with The Wonder Bread Years. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $32 to $38. Call 972-744-4650 or visit eisemanncenter.com.
Thu., Nov. 15, 8 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 16, 8 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 17, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 18, 2 & 7 p.m., 2007

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