Prison: The perfect place to breed... comedians? That's the gut-busting truth for Joey Coco Diaz. The Cuban-American comic might bring out the massive crowds in Fort Lauderdale, but it's not before paying his dues. Normally, the dues-paying comes in the form of playing small clubs and opening for no-names. In Diaz's case, his opening act was a broken projector while locked up for kidnapping and aggravated battery, but the silver lining was shining like a disco ball. After the Thursday Night Movie projector would take a crap, Diaz would hit the faux stage and improvise some jokes to keep his peers well-adjusted.
Now, Diaz's audiences make up all kinds. The Sopranos-esque standup has done it all. Movies you loved, TV shows you forgot about, and podcasts you best be downloading. But now, he is all standup. The jokes about his adolescence and nods to Latin culture are enough to make this show a necessity. The fact that Diaz is working on a new special means his material is about to be top-notch. Still wondering if you should go? We'll make you an offer you can't refuse.
See Joey Coco Diaz live this Thursday and Saturday at the Fort Lauderdale Improv, located at 5700 Seminole Way in Hollywood. Tickets cost $20 plus fees, and there's a two-drink minimum. Visit ftl.improv.com, or call 954-981-5653. Showtimes are Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 and 10:30 p.m., and Saturday at 7 and 9:45 p.m.
Thu., March 27, 8 p.m.; Fri., March 28, 8 & 10:30 p.m.; Sat., March 29, 7 & 10:45 p.m., 2014