“Justin is a buddy of Ron Josol and we know that he is going to blow Bangkok away!” says Chris Wegoda, stand-up creative director of The Comedy Club Bangkok.
On Friday August 12th The Comedy Club Bangkok presents a very different kind of comedy show with two headlining magicians and it just happens that one is Filipino blooded and so we’ve teamed up to give a very special discount for PinoyThaiyo readers!
Chris Wegoda sat down with Justin to get the lowdown on the very elusive art of combining magic and comedy!
Chris: So how did you first get into comedy?
Justin: I was always a funny kid doing magic. I started magic when I was 6, grew up in a magic shop from 10-13, and passed the audition into the magic castle junior society when I was 13. The magic castle in Hollywood, CA is considered the Mecca of magic. As I got older I realized could get laughs by doing crowd work and riffing. Then in high school I discovered comedy on TV and loved watching Comedy Central. During college I decided to try doing comedy. My first comedy club show was in 2005 in LA.
Chris: That’s 11 years ago! And how do you see your style and approach?
Justin: I like to interpret comedic premises, issues, events, and situations through magic. Sometimes I act out popular songs with the use of actual tricks. I’m edgy and I push the boundaries of what a magician can do in a comedy setting. The comedy scene knows me as the comedian’s magician. A comedian trapped inside a magician’s body. I’m a magician with a comic’s voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1-dETHbiZo
Chris: You have toured all over the world, and gained fame on Comedy Central and America’s Got Talent. So where have you performed and how does your approach vary on your audience?
Justin: I’ve performed all over the US, Scandinavia, Asia, Middle East, and Mediterranean. Some places I have to talk slower. The timing, rhythm and pacing is different, but they get all the jokes. Everyone for the most part wants to be American and loves American culture. They get all the American references and humor because most of the TV programming abroad are English shows. They also learn English growing up in school. It’s mandatory.
Chris: We can’t wait! One last question Justin, any words or warning for Bangkok?
Justin: Some words or a warning for Bangkok: Nobody is safe when I’m on stage. Haha! I use a lot of interaction, participation, music, and of course magic and comedy. I don’t do just a show. It’s a production.
Tickets for PinoyThaiyo readers are at a special discounted price of just ฿350 (full price ฿750) with a drink! Just go to this link www.ComedyClubBangkok.com/PinoyThai.html
And for more details on Justin’s show on Friday August 12th please join the Facebook event, and to keep informed of all upcoming shows at The Comedy Club Bangkok, please go to www.ComedyClubBangkok.com and www.facebook.com/ComedyClubBangkok.