‘Laugh It Off’standup comedy at Solaire on Nov.27
Get ready for two hours of rollicking laughter as Prime i Events brings Laugh It Off, a one-night standup comedy show on Nov. 27 at the Eclipse Entertainment Lounge in Solaire Hotel and Casino, headlined by Paul Ogata from the US, Rizal Van Geyzel from Malaysia and the Philippines’ own Alex Calleja and mentalist Justin Pinon.
Paul Ogata is an American standup comedian and actor. He was born and raised in Pearl City, Hawaii and moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to devote more time to standup comedy. His brand of humor and delivery chronicle the “stupid people of the world” without remorse and he pokes fun at himself with innuendos.
He has headlined shows all over the world, from Times Square to Tokyo to Sydney and San Antonio, and won the prestigious 32nd Annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition, putting him in the exclusive club of Dana Carvey, Sinbad, Jake Johannson and other comedy greats. His win led to numerous TV appearances including Showtime’s
Pacific Rim Comedy and Byron Allen’s Comic Unleashed. He recently filmed his half-hour special on Comedy Central Asia which premiered in August.
Paul visited Cebu two years ago for a performance but this will be his first time in Manila, and if his Cebu experience is anything to go by, he expects the Manila audience to be just as warm and loud.
“When I was in Cebu two years ago, the crowd was amazing, but they made me eat balut after the show. I’m expecting the Manila crowd to be just as warm and I know how hospitable Filipinos are. I know they will be louder, but I’m hoping for no balut pranks from the producers — just pancit, lechon, inasal, and adobo,” Paul said.
Malaysian Rizal Van Geyzel is known for comedy that’s between the profound and the absurd with a dose of honesty. He debuted at the 2017 Melbourne International Comedy Festival where he was handpicked alongside to host 22 shows together with Douglas Lim.
The Philippines’ own Alex Calleja will also be onstage, known for his brand of comedy blending comedic neurosis and hilarity taken mostly from personal experiences. Alex recently placed second runner-up in Laugh Factory’s Funniest
Man in the World held in Finland last year. “International shows such as Laugh
it Off brings out the best of my talents to show the world that we are likewise funny. It helps promote standup comedy, which is a growing form of entertainment worldwide, we hope Prime i Events would produce more shows and at the same time, give local talents a venue to showcase and enhance our talents,” Alex remarked.
Aside from the comics, Laugh it Off also features Justin Pinon, the Mental Assassin, known for accurately reading the minds of people without any magic trick.
Beyond Laugh it Off, Prime i Events aims to build a community of standup comedy lovers and bring to Manila the best acts and put together concepts that will be truly enjoyed.
“We all have problems in our lives and stress is a never-ending issue of people. We think that this form of entertainment is the best value money can get,” said Dilip Budhrani, who together with his wife Saira, runs Prime i Events.
“We hope to produce 10 shows next year with our newfound partnership with Solaire. Audie Gemora, head of entertainment of Solaire, as well as the team of Anna Peleo in marketing and Sandy Hontiveros have been very supportive and they see our crystal-clear vision in seeing our dream of having the very First Manila International Comedy Festival in no time,” Dilip explains.
Laugh it Off will be held on Nov. 27, show starts at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are P2,500 for VIP (reserved seating) and P1,800 for standard (free seating). For ticket inquiries, call Mel at 0920-9717055 or at 0917-5703057.
Tickets are show charge and there are many food choices available at Solaire where one can dine before or after the show. Fine dining choices are Red Lantern, Yakumi, Finestra and various casual dining choices such as Waterside, Fresh, Oasis, Lucky Noodles and also a food court.