Every Thursday we highlight the best comedy of the coming weekend. Find more comedy events at dallasobserver.com/calendar.
Jon Reep at Hyena's in Fort Worth Born and raised in rural Hickory, N.C., Jon Reep has made his way across the nation, performing in comedy clubs and on TV. He's been on NBC's Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central's Premium Blend and the half-hour special Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep. His childhood stories and crazy cast of characters ensure full houses wherever he goes. He'll be here this Friday and Saturday. By the way, did you know bees can build nests in the ground? Reep does. Too bad his dad didn't believe him.
Tom Rhodes at Hyena's in Dallas Even though Rocky left a deep impact on 13-year-old Rhodes, it only took one boxing punch to the head to convince him he should have bought a guitar. A true believer that only a losing pro team can shape a city into a well-adjusted bunch of people, he fully admits that Dallas must be pretty off-kilter. Hey, we can't help winning. By the way, Rhodes thinks Philly has the most frightening local news in the U.S. Let's change his mind, Dallas! He'll be here Thursday through Saturday, and Thursday night is free. Make sure you wear your Cowboys jersey.
Wil Sylvince at Arlington Improv Born and raised in Brooklyn, Sylvince cut his teeth on the New York comedy circuit, playing at top clubs, like the Comedy Cellar, Comic Strip Live and Caroline's on Broadway. No political or social topic is safe, especially when Sylvince adds a twist of his West Indian Hatian culture to the mix. He'll be here this Thursday through Sunday. 21 and up.
Michael Blackson at Addison Improv Known as The African King of Comedy, Blackson has been honing his comedic talent for more than a decade on BET, HBO and Showtime. Originally from Ghana, he made his way to Philly in 1992, working the club circuit with his fresh brand of stand up. Drawing on his experiences in Africa and here in the States, he's been gaining momentum every since. Blackson stole the spotlight in Next Friday as Angry African, and you can see him this Thursday through Sunday. He'll be the one in the Dashiki.
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, James Gandolfini, Alan Arkin, Jay Mohr...the cast list goes on for The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. Carell and Buscemi star as fading magicians among the lights of Las Vegas, Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton. The new buzz is all about Steve Gray, the Criss Angel-like magician played by Carrey and some seriously long hair extensions. The duo, desperate for an audience's attention (any audience), needs to come up with a stunt. Fast. Good thing Wonderstone runs into his childhood hero, magician Rance Holloway, played by the legendary Arkin. Opens Friday. Rated PG-13.
