"They're walking and talking and they're a handful, I tell you," she said. "Since I have been on hiatus, I have gotten to be at home and do the full-time mom thing and I have never been so tired before in my life. I can't wait to get back to work, I'm telling you."

Her boisterous son and daughter can be heard in the background during Sykes' mid-morning call from her home in California.

"The things I thought I never would say like, ‘Don't touch the dog poop,'" she said with a laugh. "I never thought I would say that. It's crazy, but it's fun."

Also fun, she said, is the spark that comes from performing in a new city like she'll be doing when she visits Mt. Pleasant.

"There's an anxiety that kind of works for me," she said. "When I'm doing stand-up, I get pumped up."

While she has fans from her appearances on shows such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Chris Rock Show," and "The New Adventures of Old Christine," when Sykes does stand-up she never knows what the draw might be on any particular night.

"You play it at another level, it is more of the unknown," she said. "It is more exciting for me."
After shows at four casinos in June, Sykes is looking forward to a summer vacation in France with her family.

"Last season, I really busted my butt, I was doing "Old Christine" and doing my Fox show at the same time," she said. "I didn't get to spend time with my family and my friends. So, this summer I'm just doing those few dates. I'm going to spend some time in France. And pretty much, just take some time and enjoy ourselves a little bit."

It was recently announced that "The Wanda Sykes Show" won't be back in the fall. She's taking it in stride with no hard feelings toward the network.

"You know, it's television -network television," she said. "It happens. We had a good season and I am very proud of the show. The thing I will miss is the people I work with. We had a great staff and crew. We were really clicking along toward the end there. I am very proud of the show and very proud of the people who worked on the show. And I'm happy to have the opportunity to do it."

With movie appearances, television roles, and performing live, Sykes keeps a full schedule.

"I love what I do," she said. "When you are passionate about something, when an opportunity comes along, you say, ‘This is cool, I'll get to work with these people that I've wanted to work with a long time.' It's fun."

Mike Stanley

Mike Stanley is a comedian, writer, and Metro Detroit native whose high energy and cutthroat comedy have made him a crowd favorite in comedy clubs and on college campuses across the country. Last year he won the Joey's Comedy Club Challenge, the "Last Comic Still Standing" comedy competition in Rochester, New York, and placed in the top three of Michigan's Up-and-Comers. June 3-5

The Fryman

An 18-year veteran of the stage, "The Fryman" has appeared on B.E.T.'s "Comic View" and can be heard regularly on XM and Sirius radio. He originally hails from Keflavik, Iceland, though he now chills in St. Louis, where he started telling jokes in the first grade. Since then, he has performed in more than forty states and worldwide. The former Marine has also done three comedy tours for our troops, appearing at more than 40 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. June 17-19

Nicholas Anthony and Paul Strickland

Nicholas Anthony is quickly becoming one of America's top touring acts. With his quick, candid delivery, he twists random situations into comedic gems and creates a funhouse ride audiences never forget. Anthony has been on two seasons of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and guest starred on the syndicated radio show BOB & TOM.

Cranky every second, but loving every minute of it, Paul Strickland is a writer and performer who knows that if you look at anything long enough, you can find something to appreciate in it. He is the lovable grumbler in everyone's life, with a knack for making people laugh at themselves and the world around them. His "Stand-up Stories" about learning to think positively in an increasingly negative world have made him a favorite of audiences all over the country. June 24-26

"If you're politically correct, you might want to stay at home. If you're not, it'll be the most fun you've ever had being offended," says comedian/booking agent/host Denny Green about The Public Offenders, a weekly comedy event at Connxtions Comedy Club in Lansing.

Taking place every Wednesday night, The Public Offenders offers a mixed bag of comedic delights, including stand-up, sketch comedy, improv, original musical scores, rap parodies, impersonations, and more, and has been described as "a night of mayhem and debauchery ... a wickedly twisted game of wits."

"It's not just offensive," Green said. "It's pretty intelligent humor with the occasional lowbrow thrown in ... It's basically a weekly party."

The Public Offenders has been consistently drawing crowds of more than 100 people since its inception last September, which is no small feat considering the big fish who have the microphone on the weekends. In April alone, comedians Michael Epps, Rob Schneider, Don Reese, and The Disgruntled Clown will be doing multiple weekend performances. Sandwiched between these big-name, nationally touring acts, The Public Offenders allots a space in Connxtion's weekly schedule for up-and-coming local comedians to get a chance to sharpen their routines on stage.

"The audience understands that it's not professionals," says Jimmy Poe, another one of The Public Offender's comedians/hosts/booking agents.

Poe, who is also one-half of the comedic duo called Penis Philbin, should know: he and Jason Peters honed their two-man act, which he calls "a Smother-Brothers-Cheech-n'-Chong-rock-n'-roll kind of thing," on Connxtion's stage.

"But it's the place to go if you want to see someone before they're big."

The Public Offenders is currently in pursuit of the next big comedy act, as the hosts have been sponsoring Lansing's Funniest Person Contest, Connxtion's own version of a local "Last Comic Standing." The semi-final elimination round will take place during The Public Offenders' April 7 event; the final elimination round will follow the week after on the 14, and on that night, Lansing's funniest person will be crowned and awarded $100.

All shows at Connxtions Comedy Club, including The Public Offenders, are rated "R." You must be 18 to enter.

Connxtions Comedy Club

2900 N. East St., Lansing

connxtionscomedyclub.com, (517) 374-HAHA

Writer, producer, and actor D.L. Hughley is no stranger in the comedy world. From staring in his own ABC sitcom “the Hughleys” to being one of the four comedians featured in the Spike Lee film “The Original Kings of Comedy” D.L is one of the most popular and recognizable comedians on the road today. For years his hilarious perception on racial complexities in America and his unique beliefs on relationships have been bringing his audiences to tears. Don’t miss out on D.L. Hughley’s unforgettable comedy set on Feb. 19-20 at 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Tickets are $25. Also appearing are Erik Allen and Matt Lauria.

Wharton Center- Cobb Great Hall

Michigan State University, 149 Auditorium, East Lansing

whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982

Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country. Regan's observational humor covers everyday events, from shipping a package with UPS, ordering phone services, to playing racquetball. He often talks about his childhood, where he describes his memories of little league sports and grade school spelling bees. Not only has he released two critically acclaimed hour comedy specials on Comedy Central he has also appeared on numerous late night talk shows including “Late Night with David Letterman”, “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Selling over 150,000 copies, Brian’s 1997 CD “Brian Regan Live” is a dorm room classic and consistently charts in iTunes Top Ten Comedy Albums. His quality material is relatable to a wide audience which is enjoyable for the whole family. Catch this first-rate comedian when he stops by the Wharton Center on Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.50.