Among my happiest memories of some years in which I commuted a lot to Las Vegas was watching (and hanging out with) one of my favorite comedians, Pete Barbutti. You may remember him from his eighty trillion appearances on Johnny Carson's show…that is, assuming you remember Johnny Carson.
Seeing Pete perform these days is a rare treat but not impossible. He's currently touring as part of a troupe of comedians billed as The Four Jokers. The other three Jokers are Mark Schiff, Scott Wood and ventriloquist Jay Johnson. Their next gig is March 2 down at the La Mirada Theater down in La Mirada, California. I'd go if I could but it's my birthday and I already have other plans.
But also — and this intrigues me — Las Vegas is about to get its first-ever production of the musical Follies with its score by Mr. S. Sondheim. You'd think a show about aging showgirls would be a natural for that town, right? Well, it will be staged there for the first time for six performances only in April and Pete is in the cast! Details can be found here.
I dunno what part he's playing but if I were in charge, we'd cut a few numbers to give Pete time to do his stand-up act. If anyone reading this goes, let me know how it is.