Actor and comedian Craig Robinson may be best known for his role on NBC’s The Office or movies like This Is the End and Hot Tub Time Machine, but when he’s not making audiences laugh onscreen, he’s touring with his band, the Nasty Delicious. Formed in 2007, the group melds electric funk, soul and stand-up for a live performance. We caught up with Robinson before he hits the stage at the Chevalier Theatre on April 6 for the Craig Robinson & the Nasty Delicious tour.
Where did the name Nasty Delicious come from? It just came to me one day. I had a couple other band names—I think one was the Chocolate Love Booger—but they didn’t stick. Then one day, Nasty Delicious was just it. Have you ever eaten something that’s so good that you make a face like it’s nasty? You’re eating something delicious, but your face is saying unh! [Laughs.] You don’t even understand it [because] it’s so good.
Do you prefer performing on stage or in front of the camera? Live on stage. It’s my work and it’s something I’ve created. On camera, it’s things that have been written for me. I revel in it and it’s a blast, but being on stage and connecting with people—and having a conversation essentially—there’s nothing like it.
Funniest person you’ve ever worked with? David Alan Grier. He’s fearless. He’s a majestic human being. … He’s vulnerable in a strong way, and he’s brilliant. You immediately feel like he’s your best friend. We did a movie called Peeples with Kerry Washington and a bunch of other talented actors, and he was the man. I’ve been loving David since In Living Color, and then to work with him was an honor.
Greatest comedic influence? I have a long list, but I think Eddie Murphy. I knew I loved Eddie Murphy, but I didn’t realize until about 10 years ago maybe—I was watching Raw—and I didn’t realize how many mannerisms I’ve stolen, like his voice and things that I think are funny. They just come out.
What do you hope the audience takes away from your show? When we’re all in the show together, everybody’s rocking their heads together, everybody’s laughing together and that’s what it’s all about—a togetherness. It’s about serving each other and supporting your fellow man. We get to see a lot of bad stuff going on, a lot of hatred and evil acts, especially nowadays. We see this #MeToo movement, but we don’t see someone showing people how to be a gentleman or how to just talk to each other. I touch on things like that and I want people to forget about their problems and come together.
THE IMPROPER’S 2018 SPRING ARTS PREVIEW: DANCE | MOVIES | MUSIC | PERFORMING ARTS | PODCASTS | VISUAL ART
Comedy Kings and Queens
Stand-up comedians hitting the stage this spring
By Julia Aparicio March 9, 2018
Q&A with Craig Robinson
Actor and comedian Craig Robinson may be best known for his role on NBC’s The Office or movies like This Is the End and Hot Tub Time Machine, but when he’s not making audiences laugh onscreen, he’s touring with his band, the Nasty Delicious. Formed in 2007, the group melds electric funk, soul and stand-up for a live performance. We caught up with Robinson before he hits the stage at the Chevalier Theatre on April 6 for the Craig Robinson & the Nasty Delicious tour.
Where did the name Nasty Delicious come from? It just came to me one day. I had a couple other band names—I think one was the Chocolate Love Booger—but they didn’t stick. Then one day, Nasty Delicious was just it. Have you ever eaten something that’s so good that you make a face like it’s nasty? You’re eating something delicious, but your face is saying unh! [Laughs.] You don’t even understand it [because] it’s so good.
Do you prefer performing on stage or in front of the camera? Live on stage. It’s my work and it’s something I’ve created. On camera, it’s things that have been written for me. I revel in it and it’s a blast, but being on stage and connecting with people—and having a conversation essentially—there’s nothing like it.
Funniest person you’ve ever worked with? David Alan Grier. He’s fearless. He’s a majestic human being. … He’s vulnerable in a strong way, and he’s brilliant. You immediately feel like he’s your best friend. We did a movie called Peeples with Kerry Washington and a bunch of other talented actors, and he was the man. I’ve been loving David since In Living Color, and then to work with him was an honor.
Greatest comedic influence? I have a long list, but I think Eddie Murphy. I knew I loved Eddie Murphy, but I didn’t realize until about 10 years ago maybe—I was watching Raw—and I didn’t realize how many mannerisms I’ve stolen, like his voice and things that I think are funny. They just come out.
What do you hope the audience takes away from your show? When we’re all in the show together, everybody’s rocking their heads together, everybody’s laughing together and that’s what it’s all about—a togetherness. It’s about serving each other and supporting your fellow man. We get to see a lot of bad stuff going on, a lot of hatred and evil acts, especially nowadays. We see this #MeToo movement, but we don’t see someone showing people how to be a gentleman or how to just talk to each other. I touch on things like that and I want people to forget about their problems and come together.
THE IMPROPER’S 2018 SPRING ARTS PREVIEW: DANCE | MOVIES | MUSIC | PERFORMING ARTS | PODCASTS | VISUAL ART
By Julia Aparicio
Chuckleheads
Catch these four must-see comedians in some of their signature small and silver screen performances before they hit town this season.
For a taste of Colin Quinn’s trademark dark humor before his performance at the Wilbur on March 15, catch his turn in Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck, where Quinn plays a character, loosely based on Schumer’s real-life father, who’s suffering from multiple sclerosis. It is a poignant role for the seasoned stand-up comedian, whose portrayal of the obstinate—and often inappropriate—Gordon continuously walks the line between hysterical and heartbreaking.
Photo Credit: Jimenez Pedrazza
Bianca Del Rio sashays her way to Royale on March 17 for her Blame It on Bianca Del Rio comedy tour. As the alter ego of comic Roy Haylock, Del Rio slays audiences with her signature unapologetic humor, as showcased by her Judge Judy impersonation during her victorious sixth season on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
A former writer and performer for E!’s Chelsea Lately, Chris Franjola brings his flair for live performance to the stage when he heads to Laugh Boston on March 22. During his run on the hit series, Franjola created and impersonated a host of recurring characters, including his signature Justin Bieber impression.
Before Tig Notaro takes the stage to headline the Women in Comedy Festival at the Chevalier Theatre on April 21, don’t miss her hilarious and heart-wrenching Amazon series One Mississippi. Loosely based on Notaro’s life, the show tackles personal tragedy and real-world issues, all with her signature candor, such as in season two’s fifth episode, “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” which received praise for its focus on sexual harassment in the workplace.
42 Years that Jerry Seinfeld has been doing stand-up comedy since he made his debut in 1976 at an open-mic night for the Catch a Rising Star nightclub. Seinfeld takes the stage at the Boch Wang Theatre on April 13.
THE IMPROPER’S 2018 SPRING ARTS PREVIEW: DANCE | MOVIES | MUSIC | PERFORMING ARTS | PODCASTS | VISUAL ART
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