No matter what is happening in life, someone always can find the humor in any situation. From Summerfield to Fruitland Park, comedy clubs are offering star-quality laughs thanks to well-known comedians.
With the intention of providing classic acts that are of interest to Villages residents and others, The Joke Joint offers a variety of shows featuring comedians such as Michael Winslow, Kevin Farley and Marc “Skippy” Price.
From 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, comedian and actor J.J. Walker will headline a comedy show at the club, 13685 Highway U.S. 441, Summerfield. Walker is best known for playing J.J. Evans on the CBS comedy sitcom “Good Times.”
“A character like that is a big draw,” said Alex Soto, owner of The Joke Joint. “He is an iconic living legend. He has been doing comedy for 50 years. All his material holds up to this day.”
Soto said the club’s fans enjoy entertainment from stars like Walker and Price, because they can relate to happier or earlier times in their lives through the person and their material.
Tickets for the show start at $35 per person and includes two drinks and dinner, or $40 per person for four drinks and a dinner.
The dinner menu for the event is baked chicken and yellow rice, which will be catered by the Villa Pinar Cuban Cafeteria, a restaurant next door to the venue.
“We want to give the opportunity for a person on a fixed income or a family with kids, or anybody to come and have a nice evening without breaking the bank,” Soto said.
For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit jokejoint.tv.
A lesser-known comedian to visit the area is Dr. Vien Phommachanh, an ear, nose and throat doctor from Sarsota, takes the stage as The ComicDoc.
About six years ago, Phommachanh decided to become a comedian as he enjoyed hearing the laughs from the audience.
“I’ve always been a comedy fan and I wanted to try it,” he said. “It was a bucket list goal. I like to make people laugh. It’s addictive — almost like a drug. You crave the next time you get to be on the stage.”
Phommachanh performed in Fruitland Park on Valentine’s Day during the quarterly Fruitland Park Comedy Night.
“Joke writing is a huge challenge,” he said. “It draws them on a trip and delivers the punch line at the right time. My show is a little more unique. It’s a different taste for a different palate.”
For those who missed the show, he will return to the area for a show June 21 and 22 at The Joke Joint in Summerfield.
For those interested in the Fruitland Park Comedy Night, visit fruitlandpark.org.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
