Laughter is the best medicine!
Lately, I’ve been indulging in comedy therapy in my free time. While in Denver for the Colorado Buffs’ first home game against the longtime rival Nebraska Huskers and the Denver Bronco’s season opener, I jumped at the opportunity to visit my favorite hometown comedy club and check out comedic legend, Bruce Bruce. I can’t remember a time when I’ve laughed so hard and long.
A Night at the Improv
The Denver Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theater is one of my favorite places in Denver, especially when I’m going out alone. Located in the Northfield Shopping Center, the venue is easily accessible and doesn’t require any scary parking garage experiences or long winding walks around dark, creepy corners. The parking lot is well-lit, and because Northfield is a huge commercial area, parking is abundant and free.
Denver Improv tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. Be prepared to share a table, unless you have four people in your party. If you’re an introvert like me, the idea of a shared table can be off-putting, but I’ve met some really nice table partners and once the show starts the awkwardness of sitting with strangers comes to an abrupt end.
When you arrive at the club, you’ll walk past a bar in the lobby where people attending the late show can pregame while a queue forms. An employee scans the ticket that was either emailed or picked up at the box office, and you’re directed down a long hallway lined with black-and-white photos of comedy greats. At the end of the hall, you check in with the Improv hosts, who confirm the number in your party and bring you to your seat.
The hosts are personable and friendly, especially if you’re a frequent visitor. They stagger seating to ensure comfort and make the best use of the space, so you might end up at the front of the stage or further back on the auditorium’s second tier. Seating is first-come, first-served, and the doors usually open around 90 minutes prior to the show. I prefer to arrive at the venue about an hour before showtime to relax, check my emails, and people-watch. Plus, this allows me to sit on the floor level.
The space itself is unique to the Improv brand, and probably the reason why I love the venue so much. The room is filled with four-top tables, each adorned with LED candles and a QR code that pulls up the menu, though physical menus are available upon request. The full menu features appetizers, salads, and entree items in addition to beer, wine, and cocktails; with a two-item per guest minimum.
One of the best things about Denver Improv is that it’s unassuming and intimate, giving comedians the chance to engage directly with the audience. Behind the small stage at the front of the auditorium sits a brick wall and the iconic Improv sign.
60 Years of Laughs
The Improv Comedy Club brand dates back to 1963, when a small venue in Hell’s Kitchen – a neighborhood on the West side of midtown Manhattan in New York City – was created to host Broadway performers after their shows. Famed actors and actresses visited the location, which became the first organized comedy club in the country before expanding to Hollywood and other cities. Comedy’s biggest names are featured on the Improv circuit, along with aspiring comedians who participate in open mic nights and other events.
I have seen some fantastic comedians at Denver Improv, but Bruce Bruce is a true legend in entertainment, and I was excited to see him perform live after years of watching him on television and movie screens.
“If you call me anything other than Bruce Bruce imma call it like I see it.”
Born and raised in Atlanta, Bruce Church rose to fame after a 1993 debut on Def Comedy Jam, followed by a 1994 appearance on Showtime at the Apollo. He went on to host BET’s Comic View from 2000 to 2002, and the BET comedy competition, Coming to the Stage, in 2004. In 2003, he released his first comedy special, Bruce Bruce Live, followed by Losin’ It in 2011.
The 99s and 00s were a crucial time in Black comedy history, with Def Comedy Jam televising a wave of comedians that went on to become legends on stages and screens around the world. During that time, anybody who knew comedy knew Bruce Bruce. His wide smile and large, colorful suits made him a recognizable figure; and his boisterous adult jokes, inspired by comedians Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, and Jackie Gleason, were known for being hilarious without being overly vulgar.
Bruce Bruce quickly became one of the most well-known names in comedy and was cemented as an icon in the Black entertainment community. He’s made cameo appearances in music videos by Outkast, Quad City DJs, Ludacris and the Ying Yang Twins, in addition to appearing in several television shows and box-office films.
After listening to his podcast interviews and watching clips from comedy festivals around the country, the opportunity to see Bruce Bruce perform live was one I couldn’t miss.
The lights went down in the auditorium as the Improv reel began to announce upcoming acts. Then, a booming voice announced the evening’s host and feature comedian, Bryson Brown.
The Opening Act: Bryson Brown
Brown took the stage and made an unsuccessful attempt to expand the microphone stand. When the stand wouldn’t work, he tried to swap mics with another stand at the back of the stage, with no luck. The crowd hesitated, watching him fumble with the equipment for a few moments before he finally gave up.
“All this shit is broke!” he said, evoking laughter from the audience. We clapped again to welcome him to the stage properly, and he joked that the equipment malfunction made him look like he was an amateur.
“I ain’t scared of y’all!” he laughed, and from that moment he captivated the audience with several rounds of impactful jokes for the entirety of his set.
Brown’s jokes were relevant to the mature crowd that had selected the Sunday evening early show. He made us laugh about the state of hip-hop, growing older, and his views regarding the upcoming political elections.
Usually, a show of this caliber would have a lineup consisting of several comedians, but Brown warned us that he was both host and feature comedian, and nothing was missed. We laughed steadily for about 30 minutes before the headliner was called to the stage, and clapped vigorously for the evening’s hilarious host.
A Comedy Legend
Strong applause welcomed Bruce Bruce to the stage; he was received warmly by an appreciative audience who knew they were in for a treat. He didn’t disappoint. From the beginning of his set, every joke caused a ripple of uproarious laughter all throughout the auditorium.
Bruce Bruce proved every bit of his reputation as a comedy legend. His booming voice and infectious laugh prompted uncontrollable laughter from even the most reserved guest. He joked about everything from his upbringing in Atlanta’s famed neighborhood, “The Bluff,” to memorable international trips and the way he caters to his wife. He discussed his role as a hip-hop icon, including his appearances in songs and music videos over three decades and his rise to fame, reminding the audience that when it comes to creating their own legacy, “It won’t happen on your time. It’s gonna happen on God’s time.”
One of the most remarkable things about Bruce Bruce’s set was the fact that he acknowledged comedians who inspired his career in addition to those he’s had the opportunity to work with, such as the late greats Bernie Mac, John Witherspoon, Robin Harris, and Paul Mooney. It was awe-inspiring to witness Bruce Bruce’s greatness on stage while remembering so many other comedians and their role in our amusement over time.
Laughter really is the best medicine. So many comedians have graced stages all over the world and dedicated their lives to making people laugh. They’ve taken time away from their families to distract us from our fears, worries, and life challenges, many times without receiving their flowers or deserved appreciation within their lifetimes. Seeing Bruce Bruce on stage was a reminder of the consistent positivity he has contributed to our lives through comedy, and made me incredibly thankful for the chance to see him in action.
The only way to describe Bruce Bruce’s comedy is: Iconic. He found a way to balance adult humor with respectability and wasn’t offensive or crude. He joked with the audience, calling out a large group of people and the distracting late arrival of some of its members. He talked about his career in a nostalgic, lighthearted way, and shared his experiences to remind the audience that he is “The Man.”
As his set came to an end, the audience begged for more but reluctantly accepted that he had to prepare for the late show. It was one of the best comedy shows I’ve attended, and I easily rate it 10/10, but even that doesn’t do it justice.
Bruce Bruce is an unforgettable, quick-witted treasure. He took photos and sold merchandise after the show – Brown sold merch too, but after a busy weekend of performances he warned that he only had five shirts left. It was another memorable evening at Denver Improv, and I look forward to the next night of laughs.