The Festival of Laughs, hosted by Rickey Smiley featuring Mike Epps and Bruce Bruce, was a show to remember.
It’s been said that “laughter is the best medicine”, so the evening of belly-aching amusement surely relieved stress and left most people, if not everyone, feeling good.
Rickey Smiley as the host for the night was perfect. He used material from each of the comedian’s acts to tell jokes and introduce the next performance, danced to 8 Ball & MJG among other artists between acts, and made sure the audience danced and rapped along, too. In one moment, he roasted a male audience member who was taking pictures of him, saying that he thought it was weird and “ladylike”. In transition from one act to the next, he made sure the laughing never stopped.
From how to go shopping with your woman to bedroom secrets, Bruce Bruce’s transitions from one story to the next about his marriage, former marriage and other romantic relationships were seamless. His jokes were consistently funny and everything he said was hilarious. He also made it known that he loves to eat, so he shouted out a few St. Louis favorites – gooey butter cake and Goody Goody. Audiences clapped and their mouths watered just thinking about them.
Mike Epps covered current events, such as President Trump and former President Barack Obama, the absurdity of the Cleveland Facebook Live killer’s capture and the backlash from audiences about the kangaroo he brought on stage during his show in Detroit earlier this month. He also touched on his personal life, specifically the cancellation of his ABC show Uncle Buck, his divorce, and child support.
Epps had everyone trying to catch their breath when he cracked on a male audience member who he said was wearing a shirt that looked familiar to him, a flannel pajama top from Old Navy. Epps was classically Epps; effortless, authentic and relevant. Everyone was waiting for him to bring Day-Day Jones from Next Friday to the show, but he didn’t make it.
The surprise of the night was writer and actor Felipe Esparza, the new kid on the block who held his own. His jokes touched on stereotypes of Mexicans, Trump and the U.S.-Mexico border wall, how Mexicans and African-Americans are depicted in the news compared to white people, and the chronicles of lazy people.
It would have been nice to have a female presence and perspective from comedians like Cocoa Brown and Sommore, who have toured before, so hopefully they’ll be a part of the festival next time.
The show ignited laughs non-stop. Not a dry eye or bored spirit was in sight. As Epps ended the show, he paid homage to Charlie Murphy and asked the crowd to demonstrate their love for him and other artists while they are living.
Overall, the Festival of Laughs is worthy of its name and is just what the doctor ordered.
Sharee Silerio is a St. Louis-based freelance writer, Film and TV writer-producer and blogger. When she isn’t creating content for The Root or Curly Nikki, she enjoys watching drama/sci-fi/comedy movies and TV shows, writing faith and self-love posts for SincerelySharee.com, relaxing with a cup of chai tea, crafting chic DIY event décor, and traveling. Review her freelance portfolio at ShareeSilerio.com then connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
