LIVE in Lancaster 2009!
A little danger, a lot of comedy add up to 'The Showoff Show'
By KATHLEEN DAMINGER, Staff Writer
Jonathan Burns was that kid at the family reunion with his hand in his armpit, flapping maniacally and cracking up at the vulgar sound.
"I kind of like the attention," he says.
Today he gets plenty of it performing on the stages of college campuses across the country as half of the comedy duo called The Showoff Show.
This weekend, they're bringing their show, which has been described as "Cirque du Soleil meets Saturday Night Live," to the showroom of the Lancaster Host Resort.
"We travel so much and we're all over the place," says Burns, who grew up in Johnstown but now lives in Lancaster.
"Sometimes it's one night in one state, the next night in another. We really wanted to do something for our friends in Lancaster."
Don't expect any armpit humor at this weekend's show, but there will be plenty of physical comedy.
Burns is somewhat of a contortionist. He manages to get into —and out of — some very tight spaces. He also enjoys magic, and has entertained peers with his tricks since his middle school days.
His partner, Evan Young, originally from Missouri, juggles a lot. But forget about balls and apples and such. He juggles things like fire and knives.
Together they interact with quick wit, knowing looks and circus-like timing.
"We usually tell people it's an interactive comedy show," says Burns. "There are elements of vaudeville, elements of sketch comedy, elements of standup. It's a blend of styles."
Joining the team at this hometown show are opener musician Mark DeRose, who according to Burns is a funny guy himself, and comic Jay Black, a former teacher turned stand-up comic from the Philadelphia area.
The performance is for ages 18 and over, but not because The Showoff Show isn't family friendly. It is. The showroom location and the serving of alcohol determines the age constraints.
Burns and Young have been performing together since 2006. The two met online when mutual interest in circus school got them chatting. Young had attended such a school in England. Burns, who had graduated from Millersville University with a major in art education, was interested in going.
Turns out Young talked him out of it, but the two ended up becoming friends and attending a conference together.
"People kept asking us if we worked together, because we had this sort of back and forth stuff going on," says Burns. "By the end of the weekend, we'd heard the question so many times, we said 'yes, we do."'
And they have since.
"I love to laugh," says Burns. "I guess it's another one of my hobbies. I've always been drawn to it and I love to make other people laugh.
"There's an optimism in me. I'm always excited and happy."
LIVE in Lancaster 2009!
The SHOWOFF Show with
Mark DeRose and comic Jay Black
Fri. doors and drinks at 7:30 p.m.
show at 8:30 p.m. 18 and over. $7
Lancaster Host Resort Showroom
2300 Lincoln Hwy. East, 299-5500
www.showoffshow.com
Labels: 2009, Jonathan Burns, Lancaster PA, Press, the SHOWOFF Show
posted by Jonathan Burns at
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