Sacramento native and current Los Angeles resident Key Lewis is no stranger to comedy clubs across America.
But it’s the smaller shows – like the one that he’ll be performing in on Saturday when he headlines the monthly Deaf Puppy comedy show at String’s – that hold a special place in his heart.
At the end of the day, Lewis said, it’s all about the crowds, and sometimes the crowds that don’t typically get to see seasoned veterans and flashy names in their own backyard are the most receptive, and grateful.
“It’s all about the appreciation of the comedy and the jokes – when you’re force-fed a bunch of stuff like you see in bigger cities, you get calloused to it,” said Lewis, who will perform after featured act Jimmy Earll. “If you can go to the Comedy Store and see somebody famous, you tend to get a little bit snobby. But those smaller towns with good, working people – real people – they tend to enjoy themselves and the laughs are genuine. I’ll never pass up a chance for that.”
While the search for a permanent home to house the comedians that the Deaf Puppies bring to town is ongoing, Chris Teicheira and the rest of his crew have turned String’s Bar and Grill into a monthly destination for comedy fans that appreciate the level of performers that have started making Manteca a stop on their circuits.
With his Dry Bar Comedy special and appearances on comedy shows such as Marlon Wayan’s “Funniest Wins” and Kevin Hart’s “One Mic Stand,” Lewis has built a following that appreciate his relationship and family-focused material that gives him the flexibility to cater to a variety of different audiences and styles.
With regular appearances at Laughs Unlimited in Sacramento – where he got his start in the industry – Lewis has built a relationship with members of the Deaf Puppies, and says he’s looking forward to being a part of the energy that they have created in a place not traditionally known for catering to live artists.
“You look at Anthony K and those guys and you can see that Northern California has a lot of depth,” Lewis said. “And they remind me of how Kevin Hart is with his crew – being around those five guys that are writing for him, always together, doing sketches.
“It’s an extension of his friends, and guys like that show that the unified are winning. Standup comedy is one of the hardest and purest forms of art, and I commend those guys for doing what they’re doing.”
The Deaf Puppies Present Key Lewis – featuring Jimmy Earll – will take place at String’s Bar and Grill, located at 680 N. Main Street, on Saturday Aug. 18 starting at 8:30 p.m. The $10 tickets are available for purchase in advance at String’s, and may be available at the door if the 100 seats don’t sell out in advance.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
