Comedy? Please sir, may we have some more?

By Pat Clark
pclark@modbee.com

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Methinks stand-up comedy might just be a good fit for the Gallo Center.

Based on comments from outgoing director Dave Pier on Saturday night, methinks the folks at the Gallo Center might just think so, too.

Former "Saturday Night Live" alum Dana Carvey came to the Gallo Center last weekend and kept the crowd in stitches for about 90 minutes, replete with an encore featuring his famous "Chopping Broccoli" riff on guitar.

He offered up an array of his much-beloved and hysterical impersonations, including the Church Lady, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the first President Bush, the second President Bush and Garth from "Wayne's World."

He improvised repeatedly and delightfully — thanks to ongoing quips about Ripon and two genial women in the front row — and pretty much gave everyone more than their money's worth.

His was an auspicious star to kick off comedy at our performing-arts center.

Many big names have graced the Gallo stage and many more are to come, but he seemed like a pretty huge get. So, before the show, I wondered how the Gallo Center was able to book a star like Carvey.

Then, during the show, I wondered why a star like Carvey would continue to refer to notes on the ground throughout his performance.

I mean, he was still a hoot and a half, but notes? That seemed a little bush league for a comedian of Carvey's caliber.

Turns out the Marin County resident was trying out new material for an upcoming stint on "The Jay Leno Show." Aha!

Proximity to home + smaller crowd + upcoming national television gig = good times for a sold-out Modesto audience.

When Carvey talked to Scene writer Lisa Millegan last month about his Modesto appearance, he mentioned that he and fellow Bay Area resident and comic extraordinaire Robin Williams are "always looking for a good theater that size to play."

Robin Williams, come on down!

Heck, Williams can try out all the new material he wants in Modesto. He'd surely sell out a week's worth of shows.

Carvey's appearance marked the first time the Gallo Center has dipped its toes into the stand-up comedy pool, and it was a resounding success. Bookers are getting their entire feet wet later this month with former Monty Python funnyman John Cleese. They'll go ankle

deep come May with famed improvisational comedy troupe Chicago City Limits.

Again, Cleese seems like a huge get. I'm curious why Cleese, at age 70, is performing at all, let alone in Modesto.

Meanwhile, Carvey sold big and, as of Saturday night, only 100 tickets remained for the Oct. 30 Cleese show, Pier said.

It's no real surprise that folks would turn out for comedy at the arts center. The State Theatre has made stand-up a hit with shows featuring notable comics Kathy Griffin, Jon Lovitz and Caroline Rhea over the last few years.

Being a huge fan of stand-up comedy, I'm all for big and bright comedians coming to town. While I missed the Lovitz show and am taking a recession-forced pass on Cleese, I've attended the other three performances. None disappointed.

So here's hoping the Gallo Center — and State Theatre, too — will dive full body into the comedy pool. It can only further diversify the impressive entertainment that our Modesto region is so lucky to enjoy.

Reach Scene editor Pat Clark at pclark@modbee.com.