HARK!
I hear…a guru…
Tony Vicich is a certified funny guy; a comedian for going on 40 years, he has toured the country and appeared on several TV shows.
For the last two decades, he has also been a “comedy instructor.”
Wait–can you really teach someone to be funny?
Vicich grimaced at the question, during a HARK Valley Zoom interview. “I don’t teach people how to be funny–that’s a common misconception,” he said, from his home office. “I teach people the art and craft and technique of standup comedy…
“Most people are funny,” he added, “even if it’s a tiny spark.”
The owner of comedyschools.com, he came to the Valley from Los Angeles around 2000, first teaching classes at the Tempe Improv. Now, he is stationed at JP’s Comedy Club, where he teaches comedy classes.
Asked to name a few memorable students from his classes, he protests the question’s going to get him in trouble with those he leaves out…but answers anyway.
He points to Michael Longfellow: “He was 15 when his mom enrolled him in my classes and was with us seven years.”
Look at him now, according to Longfellow’s bio: “Shortly after his move to Los Angeles, he placed 2nd at the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta, was chosen as one of TBS' Comics To Watch, did Stand up on Conan and can now be seen on Hidden America with Jonah Ray and Bring The Funny on NBC.”
Then there’s Josh McDermitt, who “started with us in workshops for five years–and then got on Last Comic Standing.” After that, McDermitt crossed over to acting, becoming a regular and fan favorite on The Walking Dead.
If you’ve ever spent time with comedians, you understand they are probably the most judgmental, instantly-critical people on the planet.
That being said…Vicich tries not to judge.
Asked if he ever gets complete duds–and if so, if he tries to talk them out of making fools of themselves, Vicich demures. He said he can think of several instances where would-be comics seem completely lost on stage–only to find their grooves, with practice and coaching.
These days, start-up comedians have many open mic nights to try the art of making people laugh, often at bars and other non-comedy club venues.
"Phoenix has an incredibly vibrant and creative comedy scene, which is kind of cool to see," he said. "When I came here to start this comedy school in 2001, there was no comedy scene."
An oligopoly of comedy club owners tried to lock down upstart open mic venues, according to Vicich: "The powers that be wanted no competition.”
Things have changed…
This week, many of his students will join in as Vicich runs a Funny for Food benefit for the Maricopa Food Bank, Friday, June 10, at Tempe Center for the Arts.
Just when many in need are being hit by inflation, COVID's impact and other troubles, a fire two months ago destroyed the pantry and 40,000 pounds of food. A portion of the show’s proceeds will go to help restore the pantry.
The near-marathon lineup of comics:
Tony Vicich
DJ Payne
Liz Frisius
LD Newsted
Deon Doughty
Ryan Heilman
John Cowan
Devante Brown
Floyd Haas
Ty LaVette
Edwin Felix
Ernie Green
Andrew Erwin
Terri Jean
Kev the Allstar
Travis Miner
Haley Kobylko
Vincent Collins