If you’ve never seen the comedian Brad Williams perform live, imagine a firecracker stuffed inside a cannoli -- sweet, compact, and guaranteed to explode in your face. The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ, hosted two nights of chaos, courtesy of the unfiltered man. A man who has never been to Red Bank before. A man who labeled his tour “The Growth Spurt Tour”.
From the second Brad “power-waddled” onto the stage, the crowd was his. Oh, he’s a dwarf, by the way, and uses his height (or lack thereof) in every possible way to make people laugh. Come on, we all know that Jersey audiences aren’t known for being easy. But somehow, Brad had us eating out of his hand. (Hopefully not the hand he uses when thinking about his tall, Asian wife, who was a main character in his act. Hey, if Brad can go there, so can we!)
His humor? Brutally honest and sharper than the cheese at a Hoboken deli. He didn’t just make dwarf jokes -- he weaponized them. Every punchline was like a perfectly aimed insult at life’s nonsense: marriage, parenthood, taking a shower, and the joys of being vertically challenged in a world built for tall people.
Crowd Work Worthy of a Jersey Icon
Let me tell you something – Brad is from the Los Angeles, CA area. So when he strutted onto our turf – I thought, “Good luck, little man. This isn’t L.A., it’s Exit 109.” We’re the kind of people who heckle potholes, argue over pizza styles, and honk at green lights to keep our reflexes sharp. But Brad? He didn’t just survive. He thrived.
Which brings me to how Brad worked the audience. Boy, did he work it good. You know how some people can work their dimples? Like that. He talked about his daughter, his career, and his wife, and just when you think Brad couldn’t get any more personal about his sex life somehow segued into a story about sleeping with a 310-pound woman, then a 6’2” woman. And then he opened up the rant to the audience for discussion. That’s when I learned something I can never unlearn: apparently, “pineapple” is one of the most common safe words during certain… activities. Brad rolled with it perfectly and shared his wife’s safe word, which is a word I never heard of, so… sorry, ask Brad yourself on his Instagram.
The Magic of Brad Williams
Brad’s superpower isn’t just that he’s funny -- it’s that he’s fearlessly human. He doesn’t hide behind punchlines; he dives headfirst into them. He turns discomfort into camaraderie. He makes you laugh at the things you’re not supposed to talk about, and by the end, you realize you’re laughing because he’s right. Life is ridiculous. People are weird. And everyone -- no matter how tall, short, or slightly buzzed on a weekday night in Red Bank -- just wants to feel seen.
Opening Acts – Two Black Guys and a Dwarf
Say whaaaaat?
Quincy Weekley was the opener. Funny, talked about porn, but overall, he came across as a nice guy. He’s from the LA area and appears to be a club‐standup guy. He had a smooth delivery and a soft voice. Looks like he’s doing his own tours, too! Give him some love and see his show if nearby!
J.B. Ball was the supporting act. His comedic style is described as “built for fishing out the ridiculous and putting it on display.” He looked at situations from different directions, which I must say, was rather refreshing. His material covers a wide range including cultural observations, race, social norms, and personal life. I felt more intelligent after his set.
The Roast Red Bank Needed
Brad Williams gave the Count Basie crowd everything: raunch, truth, tenderness, and enough energy to light up the Parkway. Five out of five Taylor ham, egg, and cheese sandwiches (don’t start with me).
Red Bank, you’ve been roasted -- and you loved every minute of it!
About Brad Williams
Brad Williams is an American stand-up comedian and actor best known for his high-energy performances, sharp observational humor, and unapologetic takes on life as a little person. He’s released multiple comedy specials, including Fun Size and Daddy Issues (both on Showtime), and has been a frequent guest on The Joe Rogan Experience and The Adam Carolla Show. Williams also co-hosts the popular podcast About Last Night and continues to tour nationally.
ALL PHOTOS BY PENNY LISS
