A Calgary comedian who cracked up his Okotoks audience four years ago is returning for more.
Edmonton-born Calgarian Kevin Stobo is headlining the first Yuk Yuk's on Tour live uncut comedy show of the season in Okotoks Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the RPAC. The evening will also feature Calgary stand-up comic Serena Shane as emcee.
“Serena is a very funny and lovely lady – together we should be able to entertain Okotoks,” said Stobo. “Last time I was there I remember it being a nice, intimate theatre setting. I look forward to coming back to Okotoks. I think they will get two great comedians for one great price.”
Stobo has entertained audiences for 25 years, having started fresh out of high school and winning Edmonton’s Funniest New Comic a month after graduating.
“I watched improv and all those stand-up shows during the boom of stand-up in the ’80s,” he said. “For me it was just something I always wanted to do. I grew up with SCTV watching John Candy and (Saturday Night Live's) Chris Farley. I thought the only way to get into comedy was stand-up comedy.”
Stobo spent the next several years entertaining, including movie reviews and golf tips for Shaw Cable and working for Inside Entertainment interviewing celebs.
He also performed at the prestigious Just for Laughs gala at the world-famous Montreal Comedy Festival, the comedy networks Best of Just for Laughs and The Comedy Stampede, CBC Radio’s Madly Off in All Directions and the Edmonton Comedy Festival.
“My style of comedy is personalized,” he said. “I don’t do one-liners, I’m not a prop act, I tell stories about my marriage, my kids, the way I go through life as a chubby white guy from Alberta.”
Stobo considers his act similar to having a conversation with a buddy at a bar or house party.
“I’m more of an everyday lifestyle comedian,” he said. “I try to find the funny in everyday stuff that other people can relate to.”
Shane goes a little darker in her comedy, not shying away from difficult subjects and finding humour in things terrible and fearless.
“I can be known to be dark and dirty,” she said. “I like sexual humour, but not blatant.”
The stand-up comic of eight years also uses personal experience to keep her act relatable.
“It’s easy if you tell jokes about things that you’ve lived through,” she said. “I talk about my sister, friends, looking for jobs, dating, things like that. I love relating to people.”
As the opener, Shane bears the pressure of feeling out the audience to determine what makes them laugh.
“It’s like a temperature to see how far we can go,” she said. “My job is to feel out the audience and make sure that they have a good time.”
Shane said she pursued comedy after her ex husband told her she wasn’t funny.
“I wanted to prove him wrong,” she said. “It’s very much an addiction. I love to tell a joke and everyone laughs.”
Shane spends most of her time on Calgary stages, but also tours western Canada.
Tickets to see Yuk Yuk's on Tour cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door and can be purchased at the Okotoks Art Gallery or by calling 403-938-3204.
