Leadoff Hitter

The next baby-step in my comedy hobby (it’s too soon to call it a career) went well. I opened for professional comedian Leanne Morgan at a charity event last night. “Comedy and Cocktails with Leanne Morgan” included a two-hour preview of the Junior League of Knoxville’s Tinsel & Treasure shopping event, followed by a one-hour comedy show. I also served as emcee by making a few announcements and by bringing on Royal Chef Darren McGrady to promote the luncheon he is hosting today.

When I found out I got the gig, I wrote a couple of lines that mentioned the Junior League and transitioned into the same material I used last week in the Host with the Most Competition. Because a chunk of my set is about growing up in New York, I realized I would need to acknowledge the devastation of Hurricane Sandy while still keeping things light. I did so by mentioning that my mother is enjoying her stay in a nice hotel while the power is out at her house on Long Island.

Leanne has seen me do improv before but this was the first time she’s seen me do stand-up. She was very complimentary of my act and said she’d love to have me open for her again some time. That’s the best compliment I could have received.