Stand-up comic prefers live
shows
By Jeff Cantwell
Staff
Writer
Dave Chappelle thinks seeing someone performing
live is an entirely different experience than watching anything pre-recorded.
Chappelle, a stand-up comic and Hollywood actor said, "There is nothing
like seeing someone live. That's why I call my show 'The Dave Chappelle
Experience.'"
Chappelle will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at
the Murat Theatre in Indianapolis.
Chappelle has been performing his stand up act
for 13 years. Growing up in Washington D.C., he started working the
club scene at the age of 14.
Chappelle said he always wanted to go into comedy
and after reading an article about the life of Bill Cosby, he knew it
was an attainable dream.
"I saw how it was possible to come from nothing
and turn it into something good."
His first film experience was small two-line part
in the Dennis Quaid film "Undercover Blues." But Chappelle's real break
came in 1993, when he co-starred with Cary Elwes in the Mel Brooks comedy
"Robin Hood: Men in Tights."
But for many students, Chappelle is known for his
starring role in the now cult classic "Half Baked."
"He was just so funny through the whole movie,"
said Mitchell Carter, a senior in the School of Nursing. "That whole
movie was hilarious."
According to Chappelle, however, the touchy subject
matter of "Half Baked" was a concern for the studio.
"They were really hesitant to make that movie,"
said Chappelle. "But to their surprise it was actually good. They even
made a Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor out of it."
Chris Bower, a senior in the School of Liberal
Arts, said he liked the way the movie poked fun at drug use but didn't
condone it.
"The movie had so many memorable lines and was
so funny, but it didn't make me want to smoke pot."
Chappelle finishes up his tour in the next few
weeks and is continuing to finish his work on his next movie, "Undercover
Brother" with Eddie Griffen.
This movie will be his last before the beginning
of the actors' strike, which could start at the beginning of July.
"I get a break for a while if the strike happens,"
said Chappelle. "It's not so bad for me, or the big actors, but the
young guys might struggle if it drags out for too long."
Hopefully the strike won't last and Chappelle can
get back to work making people laugh.
Doug Van Slambrook, a senior in the Schools of
Engineering, said Chappelle is his favorite comedian. Van Slambrook
was dismayed when his schedule didn't allow him to make it to the show
in Indianapolis on Saturday.
"Dave Chappelle exemplifies my idea of high brow
comedic genius," said Van Slambrook. "And his work in 'Half Baked' …
man, that was choice."
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