by Tyler DeJong COMEDY


At The B.O.B. Grand Rapids, MI 616.356.2000


www.thebob.com


Tom Rhodes Throws Comedy Thunderbolts in Grand Rapids


RORY SCOVEL May 3 - 5


T


TOM RHODES May 10 - 12


RYAN HAMILTON May 17 - 19


OM RHODES IS A BENEVOLENT CRUSADER OF COMEDY. “I am a holy man possessed by the holy ghost of comedy


— a modern day laugh preacher man,” Rhodes not-so-humbly described himself. “Making people laugh is man’s greatest virtue.


I’m a world-traveling comedian seeking enlightenment, throwing down comedy thunderbolts.” His brand of comedy is an enigmatic blend of the cerebral-stoner


TOM RHODES Dr. Grins Comedy Club, Grand Rapids May 10-12, show times at 8, 9 and 10:30 p.m. $5-$10 thebob.com, (616) 356-2000


variety. Sharp intellect tuned to political commentary rivaling Lewis Black is softened by his gruff voice, concealing the faintest hint of a southern drawl, with an absentminded, pregnant punch line delivery reminiscent of Mitch Hedberg. He has a knack for using humor to illustrate the grim reality of global post- modern society and still maintain a puerile sense of optimism. After a lifetime spent traveling the


world as a standup comic, Rhodes is an expert in cultural encounters. But that honorific hasn’t come without a few harsh lessons, including a near-drowning


experience in Thailand, getting maced and evading would-be muggers in Paris, and suffering a broken finger in a bar fight in Galway — on his honeymoon. In his travels, Rhodes developed a particular fondness for the Dutch,


having lived in Holland for five years, and he relishes the opportunity to return to Grand Rapids and interact with the deep Dutch heritage that remains in West Michigan. “Dutch people have the most open-minded, benevolent laws to help


make their citizens better people and I think that they should be studied like bugs,” Rhodes said. “I like coming to Grand Rapids to see Dutch people who are removed from true Dutch culture. It’s an interesting experiment that happened there and it tickles me to meet Americans with real Dutch names.” His next ambition is to return to television. Rhodes played a long-


ANDY WOODHULL May 24 - 26


haired, rebel English teacher in a stuffy private school for the NBC sitcom, “Mr. Rhodes” in the mid-1990s. More recently, he spent three seasons on a Dutch television talk show, contributing his uniquely American perspective on Dutch culture, followed by a travel show for Dutch television that lasted one season. Now Rhodes is developing a television series that would combine his passion for travel and love for standup comedy.


TOM RHODES “I love the Anthony Bourdain concept, how he goes around the world


and it’s all about encountering different food and meeting chefs,” Rhodes said. “I want to do the exact same thing with comedy and comics. I wonder, ‘What are comedians making jokes about in other countries? What do people find funny in other countries?’” Rhodes now writes for The Huffington Post Travel section and released


a standup comedy album, Colossus of Me, earlier this year. Until his comedy travel television series gets picked up, he will continue touring the world non-stop, evangelizing the holy gospel of benevolent comedy one city at a time. n


Other Comedy Events | by Josh deLacy


Andy Woodhull Dr. Grins Comedy Club, Grand Rapids


THEGILMORECOLLECTION.COM TOM GREEN


May 31 - June 2 32 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2012


May 24-26, show times at 8, 9 and 10:30 p.m. $10 / thebob.com, (616) 356-2000


There’s a lot that Andy Woodhull doesn’t do. He doesn’t make silly faces, obnoxious noises or bathroom jokes. He doesn’t rely on dramatic motions or shouting to carry his punch lines. Instead, Andy Woodhull delivers comedy that’s funny for its own sake. His jokes, shared in a


comfortable Midwest accent, often mock himself or his ex-girlfriends. With this style, Andy won the 2005 Carnival Comedy Challenge in Chicago and the 2008 Butterfinger Comedy Showdown. According to the Chicago Tribune, he’s one of the top four Chicago comedians to watch.


River City Improv Ladies Literary Club, Grand Rapids


May 12, 7:33 p.m. / $10 / rivercityimprov.com


River City Improv’s performers — all Calvin College alumni — aim to provide witty and sarcastic humor without be- ing offensive, and their improvised skits and games do just that. The group incorporates audience suggestions throughout each show, guaranteeing unexpected twists in every performance. A non-improvised sketch or dance number will occasionally appear, too, just to keep audience members on their toes.


SCHEDULE | DINING |SIGHTS


SOUNDS | SCENE


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