Canadian comedy veteran Leo Dufour and Missouri stand-up Mike Baldwin have joined for a five-day stage run at The Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N. Rockwell.
Baldwin was a finalist in the well known San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 2007. The comic took third, citing an empty wallet as the inspiration behind his blistering set. So cash-strapped he had to bum rides from other comics during the competition, Baldwin, eager to win the events prize money, was so cash-strapped that he had to bum rides from other comics during the competition.
Baldwin will open for Dufour, a 32-year comedy veteran who is returning to the Loony after more than a year hiatus. Dufour said he cut his comedic teeth in Detroit, an experience he later used to start his own venue for Canadian stand-ups. Dufours opened Ontarios The Komedy Korner in 1980, which he said was then one of only two comedy clubs in the entire country. A then-unknown Jim Carrey christened the stage at the inaugural Komedy Korner show, he said. Dufour describes his performance as a high-energy set that mixes rehearsed bits with skits, impressions and improvisation.
A lot of it is based on interaction with the audience, he said. I really try to get them involved.
Baldwin and Dufour will perform 8 p.m. today through Saturday. A second 10:30 p.m. show will stage Friday and Saturday, and the pair will close out their run with a 9 p.m. Sunday show. Tickets are $6 today, Thursday and Sunday and $10 Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 239-4242 or visit www.loonybincomedy.com/ok.
Joe Wertz