New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Michael Ian Black:
Hint of Lime Tostitos fuel Redding’s comic’s set
“It’s a weird time to be doing comedy,” says Redding’s Michael Ian Black.
“Everybody is trying to figure out how it works, how to engage with the audience, how to be funny when so much feels uncertain. That being said, it’s a great time to be outside with folks having some fun because we all need more laughter right now.”
Black will do his part to inspire that laughter when he performs two shows Saturday, Oct. 10, at Fairfield Comedy Club’s outdoor site in the backyard of Fairfield’s Circle Hotel.
“I’ll probably talk about the things that I’ve been thinking about, especially Hint of Lime Tostitos, which are Tostitos’ finest creation,” he said.
“Anything that’s going on in my life can be the source of humor and right now Hint of Lime Tostitos are definitely something going on in my life.”
Of course things were busier before the pandemic. Aside from doing stand-up, Black has appeared in numerous television series, including “Insatiable” and TV Land’s “The Jim Gaffigan Show.” He’s also been in movies and TV advertisements and has written film scripts and several books.
But don’t worry, Black isn’t just sitting around eating Tostitos these days. He recently returned from a camping and hiking trip — excellent for social distancing — and also has a new book out. He shared more via email.
Q: I understand you’re married with two grown children. Do you talk about your family in your act?
A: Yep, married with two grown kids. My youngest is a senior in high school, my older is taking some time off from college because of Covid. I do talk about them in the act, but I try to do it in a way that isn’t too personal to them. I’ll relate funny stories and experiences but I try to make myself the butt of the joke.
I suppose it embarrasses them sometimes, but you know, college is expensive. Laughing at them is how the tuition gets paid.
Q: What is your new book about?
A: My new book is called “A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son” and it’s exactly that. I wrote it when he was a senior in high school and it was just a way to try to share what I’ve learned about being a man and a father.
It’s the letter I wish my dad had written to me when I was growing up. Unfortunately, I lost him when I was quite young and I never had the opportunity to speak to him about these subjects. I’m just trying to give my son (and my daughter) something to take with them as they leave home.
Q: You’re a big fan/supporter of Redding’s Mark Twain Library. This summer
you teamed up with the library to promote it by hosting a series of podcasts with such guests as actress/comedian Jane Lynch ( just saw her on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) and director/producer/ comedy writer Jeannie Gaffigan, among others.
With all the people you know “in the business,” would you say there’s an underlying quality they share that’s a big part of what makes them successful? If so, do you think it’s something that can be learned, or are you just born with it?
A: I’ve interviewed a lot of successful people over the years for the Pudd’nhead Festival, which you mentioned, and as part of my podcast “How To Be Amazing.” I’ve spoken with actors, economists, astronauts, poets, athletes. The only thing that I would say unites them is persistence.
Yes, some people have outsized talents and abilities, but I think persistence is far more important. I'll tell you right now — my own innate talents are fairly limited. Not non-existent, but nothing spectacular. But I am persistent. The same is true for all
of the successful people I’ve met over the years.
Q: Are you working on any new projects you can tell us about?
A: I’ve been waiting to host a new show called “Werewolf” for the CW, but it keeps getting delayed because of Covid, so I’ve been working on a bunch of smaller projects to keep myself sane, including starting a second season of my podcast “Obscure,” in which I read a classic book out loud and comment on it as I go. Last year, I did “Jude the Obscure,” this season I’m reading “Frankenstein.” It’s meant to be a fun and funny way to digest the books that you always meant to read but never quite got around to.
(Michael Ian Black will talk about his new book in a virtual event Oct. 21. For details, see https://bit.ly/2HkOn63)
The Fairfield Comedy Club, in the backyard of the Circle Hotel, 417 Post Road, Fairfield. Saturday, Oct. 10, 5 and 7 p.m. $30 general admission, $40 VIP. 475-999-2087, fairfieldcomedyclub.com
BRIDGEPORT COMEDY
Shane Gillis, Bridgeport Stress Factory Comedy Club, 167 State St. Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 9, 10, 7:30, 9:30 p.m. $138-$46. Shows resume indoors with 50% capacity, and following all State guidelines for reopening. bridgeport.stressfactory.com
FILMS
Art-inspired film series presented by the Housatonic Museum of Art and curated by Connecticut Film Festival, online through Nov. 6, Fridays only 7 p.m. Line-up: “Nothing Changes: Art For Hank's Sake,” Oct. 9; “Curious Worlds: The Art & Imagination of David Beck,” Oct. 16; “The Original,” Oct. 23; “The Light of Fire,”and “8000 Paperclips,”
Oct. 30; “With Dad,” Nov. 6. For film links visit housatonicmuseum.org
MUSIC
Outdoor Concert Series at the Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave. The Zamboni's, Oct. 10; Rah Digga, Oct. 17. Concerts take place in the parking lot. Gates open 1 p.m. Music starts 2 p.m. Rain date is the Sunday after each show. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance. No tickets sold the day of the event. Masks required. Bring your own chairs or blankets. Free on-site COVID-19 testing offered by Southwest Community Health Center. 800-424-0160, theklein.org
SPECIALS
Downtown Bridgeport Farmers Market, McLevy Green, corner of State St. and Main St. Through Oct. 8, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mask required. lauren.dssd@infobridgeport.com
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave. Two daily sessions allowing up to 500 guests per session. Hours: 9 a.m.-noon, close for cleaning; re-open, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. close. Guests must wear a mask. New online ticketing system. $15 adult, $13-$10 child and seniors, children under 3 free. beardsleyzoo.org
VISUAL ARTS
“Scream and Shout,” the art of Carlos Bautista Biernnay, absurd fiber art influenced by the artist's personal reactions to events on 9/11 in the United States and in Chile, City Lights Gallery, 265 Golden Hill St. Through Nov. 2. Gallery hours: Wed-Fri, noon-5 p.m., Sat noon-4 p.m. Online exhibit also on the City Lights website. citylightsgallery.org
“The Roots of Abstraction,” Housatonic Museum of Art on the Housatonic Community College Campus, 900 Lafayette Blvd. New exhibit on view through Aug. 31, 2021. An appointment to visit the museum is necessary, and visitors must be prepared to comply with social distancing rules and wear protective face masks. Housatonic Museum of Art will also make the exhibit available as a slideshow, virtual tour and as a print-on-demand catalog. 203-332-5052, housatonicmuseum.org
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo online Zoo Photography Exhibit, “Photography Goes Wild.” beardsleyzoo.org
and video art projections onto the facades of the historic Branford House and Avery Point Lighthouse. All exhibits and events are free. openair2020.art.uconn.edu
GUILFORD SPECIALS
Henry Whitfield State Museum,
248 Old Whitfield St. is open outside. The public is welcome on the museum grounds to see the historic buildings in person, explore the site’s history through new interpretive signs, figure out the three Visitor Center “What Is It?” window displays, and play a scavenger hunt and submit answers for a chance to win a prize at the end of the year. Outdoor visitors are also encouraged to picnic, play catch, read, paint, etc. Social distancing required. Online offerings with photos, videos, and historical information on social media, a museum collections database , and a Whitfield House virtual tour. Parking is free. 203-453-2457 or e-mail whitfieldmuseum@ct.gov.
HAMDEN
“Hamden Art League Plein Air Show,” current on-line exhibit available for viewing at hamdenartleague.org
HARTFORD MUSIC
Masterworks In-Depth with Carolyn Kuan-a deep dive into the classical works originally programmed for the season opening concert, hosted by Hartford Symphony Orchestra online, Oct. 9-11. Available to view any time during the three days by visiting hartfordsymphony.org/ masterworks-indepth
Virtual: Monday Night Jazz Concert, on the Hartford Jazz Society Facebook page, Oct. 12, 7-8:30 p.m. Featuring trumpeter Saskia Laroo and pianist/vocalist Warren Byrd perform original material as well as jazz standards from their album “Two of a Kind.” 860-242-6688, facebook.com/jazzmondayshartford
SPECIALS
Old State House Farmers Market, 800 Main St. Through Oct. 30. Tues, Fri, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Masks required to enter. Social distancing and one-way foot traffic will be followed. 860- 522-6766, cga.ct.gov/osh/farmersmkt.asp
STAGE
HartBeat Ensemble, communitybased and ensemble theatre, offer a diverse and provocative lineup of virtual and audio theatrical experiences. Line-up: Performance artist, comedian, and elected representative Kristina Wong takes her raucous campaign online to arouse civic engagement and counterhijack our democracy, Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m. HartBeatEnsemble.org
“Manufacturing Victory: The Arsenal of Democracy,” “Fighting on the Home Front: Propaganda Posters of WWII,” “A Vote of Her Own: The Long Fight for Woman Suffrage,” Connecticut Historical Society, 1 Elizabeth St. All In-person exhibits on view through Nov 30. Tue-Thu noon-5 p.m., Fri-Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free with museum admission. 860-236-5621, chs.org
Elm Shakespeare Company launchs an online Teen Troupe for ages 13-18 on Zoom. Rehearsals are Saturdays beginning Sept. 19, with the final performance intended for Halloween Night. $350 payable online or via check. Registration on the Elm Shakespeare Company website or by e-mail to registration@elmshakespeare.org
“Surface Rising” by Michael Pressman; “New Documents” by Sven Martson, Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Ave. Through Oct. 25. Gallery hours: Fri, Sat 1 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. 203-389-9555, kehlerliddellgallery.com
“Seeing Nature Through Art,” exhibit features 30 works of art created by the instructors of Yale Peabody Museum’s Natural Science Illustration Program, now online. peabody.yale.edu