"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.
| The Public Offenders Connxtions Comedy Club Wednesday nights, 8 p.m. $5 connxtionscomedyclub.com, (517) 374-HAHA
|
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.
