The next comic
challenge

Wayne Brady expands his resume
in different entertainment areas

Comedian Wayne Brady started his career performing in local theater in his home state of Florida. He moved to Los Angeles and performed at the Mark Taper Forum in its production of "Blade to the Heat," and made television guest appearances on series such as "I'll Fly Away," "Home Court" and "In the Heat of the Night."

Wayne Brady Where: Blaisdell Concert Hall When: 8 p.m. Saturday Tickets: $30, $35 and $45 Call: 591-2211 or go online at www.ticketmaster.com

Prior to "The Wayne Brady Show," Brady was best known for his improvisational skills on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" for which he won an Emmy and earned four nominations.

In addition to producing television, Brady has produced theater plays, including "Only Game In Town" with his local-born wife Mandie. Brady continues to tour the country with "Wayne Brady & Friends," which incorporates singing, improv, and a musical homage to some of Brady's biggest inspirations.

Brady, who scored two Daytime Emmys for his talk show which ended its run last year, made a memorable appearance on the now-defunct "Chappelle's Show," portraying himself as a drug-dealing pimp.

The entertainer will make his feature debut in the indie romantic comedy "I'mPerfect," playing alongside Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Brad Dourif, Illeana Douglas and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Brady plays Lewis Bond, a talented young advertising exec who, disillusioned with the dating scene, compiles a list of attributes of his ideal woman and sets out to find her.

The Star-Bulletin caught up with Brady, 33, between filming takes in Los Angeles on another new film, this one called "Crossroads."

Question: You've done stand-up comedy, theater, television and films. What's your favorite?

Answer: I can't make that choice. I really believe you're the sum of what you do. If I couldn't do any one of the things that I've done, I wouldn't be having this talk with you right now. It's because I've been a Jack-of-all-trades that has gotten me to where I am.

Q: There aren't a lot of entertainers who can cross over.

A: That's probably true but I think because, A, a lot of it is what you're born with and I just have good genes, and B, you have a lot of people who look at performing and say "I'm going to be on TV" and they have no training. Their friends look at "American Idol" and say "I think you've got it" instead of starting from someplace.

At 16, I started doing theater. My drama teacher made sure I had an appreciation for everything. I was lucky enough to be able to audition for a hit musical ("Chicago") and I was able to do that. Then I started taking drama courses; then I concentrated on comedy. By the time I graduated, I had already done theater, hosted local pageants and shows, did dinner theater, mime, dancing, voiceover, and singing jingles.

I did every single thing I could do to build anything related to my craft. It set a foundation for the rest of my career.

Q: You've been quoted as saying you were born to entertain.

A: Yes, I really believe that because we all have things that we do very well. I don't think tomorrow I'm going to come up with a cure for cancer, or mathematical theorem, but I will be able to make you laugh for an hour and a half, and make you think and smile and enjoy yourself. That has a valid place in the world.

Q: Why branch off into film?

A: Why would I want to limit myself? Why would you want to walk with one leg? If I have an opportunity to expand my boundaries and do film and roles that aren't all ha, ha, ha, then I should do it as best as I can.

Q: Do you ever have any doubts about being able to perform other than comedy?

A: Not so much that I wouldn't do it because I'm prepared. It's like a surgeon saying "Oh, I wonder if I won't be able to make a certain incision today." He'll always be able to make an incision but the worry comes about the quality of that performing.

In "Crossover," I play a sports agent who is a little amoral and a hard ass. Of course I'm wondering if audiences will accept that apart from the happy-go-lucky persona they've seen on TV.

Q: You apparently still enjoy doing live comedy.

A: Absolutely, at the end of the day nothing beats performing to a live audience. During the making of this film I have already played Seattle, Portland and Canada. If I didn't like doing it, I would not go through those airline strip searches. I love comedy and Hawaii so much that I'll let some 200-pound guy grab my butt.

Q: Would you do another talk show?

A: No. I've done it. I don't want to repeat myself. ... It's not happening again for me.

Q: Your talk show won awards and critical praise, but it was canceled.

A: I can sum up Hollywood in a phrase: "That's show business." It doesn't make sense. Nothing in Hollywood makes sense. You have people who cannot sing at 17 or 18 years of age and they have the biggest records on the planet. They sound like a cat getting kicked upside the head. You have people on "American Idol" who yesterday were bagging your groceries now on tour across the globe. Repeat after me, "Doesn't make sense!"

Q: What will the Honolulu show be like?

A: An improvisational concert with me, my partner Jonathon Mangum, and a three-piece band. It's like a greatest hits version of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," physical comedy with Jonathon Mangum and lots of audience participation. The last 40 minutes, we have the audience write down song titles and give us the styles, and I do the song and impersonate the styles. I promise you a very good time.