SOPAC Presents Todd Barry

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Comedian Todd Barry has been performing for decades, bringing his dry humor and sharp wit to stages all over the world. Now, audiences at South Orange Performing Arts Center will get a taste of his special brand of razor-edge comedy on November 17 at 8:00pm.

Widely recognized for his roles as the bongo-playing “Third Conchord” on HBO’s Flight of the Conchords and Mickey Rourke’s wise-cracking deli boss in 2009’s Oscar-winningThe Wrestler, Todd Barry is famed for his acerbic wit and deadpan self-deprecating humor. Drawing audience members in with his ability to pile punchline upon punchline, his decidedly low-key stage persona belies a deeply intelligent, often biting, occasionally absurdist worldview, one lauded by discerning fans who seek a fresh yet honest update to traditional observation and social commentary.

His first Comedy Central special aired in 1999, and his career took off. By the early 2000s, he had made a variety of guest appearances on shows like the recurring role of “Todd the video store clerk” in Dr. Katz, Home Movies, and Professional Therapist.

His most recent special, Spicy Honey, was released in December 2017 as a Netflix Comedy Special. The special has received an avalanche of positive reviews from across the globe. The UK comedy site, Chortle, said that Spicy Honey “…is certainly a masterclass in what it’s like to be a comedian,” while The New York Times has referred to him as a “master of standup” and noted “when it comes to live performance, few comics are more consistently funny.” Comedy site Decider described him as “the type of comedian whose sole purpose on FX’s Louie was to put down Louis C.K., and who, as a teenager, attempted to sell his greatness on the air to David Letterman.”

Todd Barry will be joined by comedian and writer Jim Tews, the creator of The New York Times bestseller Felines of New York. Jim Tews made his stand-up television debut on Last Comic Standing. He's been seen on FX, NBC, SeeSo, and TBS. Previously he was one of 2011’s New Faces at Just For Laughs Montreal and has performed in the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, as well as SF Sketchfest. His recent comedy album, I Was In Band, debuted at #3 on the iTunes comedy charts. He performs regularly in New York at the Comedy Cellar, UCB and any basements or backrooms that will allow it.

These two comedians will have you literally laughing out loud on November 17, 2018 at 8:00pm at SOPAC. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787. SOPAC is located at One SOPAC Way in South Orange, New Jersey. 

SOPAC programs are made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.