DELRAY BEACH – Count Jamie Blanchard among the northern comics who’ve migrated to South Florida and found a stage.
Judging by Monday’s South Florida debut performance at the Delray Hideaway, Blanchard shouldn’t have much trouble finding additional gigs.
“He was great,” Hideaway owner Clint Stevens said. “I just had a bunch of people walk out of here [telling me] ‘Bring him back.’”
A Minnesota native, Blanchard headlined the first-ever comedy show at the Delray Hideaway. He showed few signs of rust despite not having performed since the start of the pandemic, garnering multiple applause breaks during his 40-minute set.
“I felt it though,” Blanchard admitted afterward. “I know how bits go and up there you notice it was different – a familiar feeling that felt unfamiliar at the time.”
Part of that rust may have shown in omission. A large contingent of Blanchard’s day-job co-workers at City Furniture paid the $5 cover to support him.
Blanchard gave them more than their money’s worth, but did admit to omitting a special bit about a certain Swedish furniture retailer where he once worked.
“I was going to do some furniture bits for them but I completely forgot them,” Blanchard said.
As for the Hideaway, Stevens is already planning on hosting another show.
“Absolutely,” Stevens said. “We had a good time. It was a lot of fun.”
APPLAUSE BREAK-DOWN
VENUE: Delray Hideaway – Jan. 11, 2021
LINEUP
David Sadman (Host)
Sean O’Connor
Zach McGovern
Lalo Rodriguez (Co-Feature)
Nadeem Awad (Co-Feature)
Jamie Blanchard (Headliner)
SHOW HIGHLIGHT
Blanchard’s set produced several applause breaks. The bit that really gave his set momentum involved his unique theories on working out and which clothing not to wear. Although, jogging while wearing jeans seemed to work out for him just fine.
BE OUR GUEST
Awad’s bits about growing up as an American Muslim always draw laughs, and drew an applause break on Monday. …Rodriguez rebounded from a tough start to his set – one that saw him drop the microphone, breaking it – to grab an applause break on a replacement mic near the end of his set with his story about getting a green card. …McGovern’s take on driving by a car dealership while drunk was a fresh – and funny – addition to his set. …O’Connor had a little fun tormenting Philadelphia natives, pointing out that the Eagles fired their head coach earlier in the day. …Sadman handled the unenviable task of settling down a crowd that also had its eyes on the TVs, watching national championship game.
WORKING THE ROOM
Noticing one women seated in the front wasn’t laughing at anyone, Awad made it his mission to crack her. He eventually accomplished his mission – with the Muslim bit – telling her that no matter how much he talked about Christmas trees she still wouldn’t think of him as being American. He then bought the woman (and himself) a shot. …One of the audience members was Blanchard’s boss, which made his bit about drug use a little tricky. “These are all fictitious stories, just so you know,” Blanchard told him, drawing applause from the audience.
COMICS’ TABLE
Awad is featuring for Tommy Torres at Gregory’s Comedy Club in Cocoa Beach on Saturday. He and McGovern are also appearing at Gatsby’s in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday as part of a show that includes Flip Schultz, Ester Ku. …Local comic Steve Lamm enjoyed Monday’s show as a fan.
ONE-LINER
“We had a great time – everybody laughing. With everything that’s going on in the world today was much needed. It was really cool.” – Stevens
