Kent sees humor as cure for our ills
by Kelly Lewis on May. 17, 2007, under Calendar
Comedian Sean Kent says jokes have the power to heal.
For comedians such as Sean Kent, performing is about so much more than just getting a laugh.
“I want catharsis,” Kent says in a phone interview while he is driving somewhere between Florida and Georgia. “The ultimate goal is exorcising everything that’s ****** up about today and the world.”
From jokes about relationships to the troubles of American politics, Kent says his performances serve almost as cleansing rituals.
“We’re like a family who keeps their skeletons in the closets,” says Kent, who performs at Laffs from Thursday through Saturday. “If we talk about things and open up about things, then the healing can begin. Humor is just one way to do that.”
A 32-year-old who has successfully battled cancer in the form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Kent is now in a transitional period of his career and knows firsthand how influential laughter is in the healing process.
“I’m on a spirit quest this year, which is part of the reason I am driving across country and not flying,” he says. “I want to see this country and get in touch with the Earth again. I feel like my craft has rejuvenated and I’m trying to decide what my voice is and what my imprint on comedy will be.”
These days, it seems every performer or artist totes an entourage of managers, agents and the like. But Kent says he is more fulfilled by taking a different route in managing himself.
“I want to do as little with Hollywood as I can,” Kent says. “I just want people to come and listen to me and hear what I have to say.”
In the past four years, Kent has written two hours of new jokes and begun taking his career to the next level by headlining events at comedy clubs.
Woven into his new material is commentary about the many roles individuals play within relationships.
“I focus on things that people can relate to, including sex and relationships,” he says. “I give out relationship advice in a non-Dr.Phil kind of way,” he adds with a laugh.
But, in the big picture, he says, it’s all about understanding one another and finding meaning in the world we live in.
“It’s about big jokes and having so much fun that your sides hurt. Everyone’s worried about the afterlife, but damn it, we can have it here. This place is beautiful.”
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IF YOU GO:
What: Comic Sean Kent
When: 8 Thursday, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Laffs Comedy Club, 2900 E. Broadway
Price: $7 Thursday, $10 Friday and Saturday
Info: 323-8669, www.laffscomedyclub.com
