NYNNYE (”Ninny”) is the brainchild of San Francisco comedian Jill Bourque, who wanted to ring in the New Year with her very favorite comedians. Each are cutting edge comedy artists with their own singular styles, and all three got their start in San Francisco’s eclectic underground comedy scene.
Brent Weinbach developed his unique style in the Bay Area and now splits his time between San Francisco and Los Angeles. He has a very unique delivery, precise timing, and inhabits characters in a spookily channeled manner. The effect is disarming and hilarious. He says, “I’m less interested in words and more interested in the sounds of words. I try to stay away from doing things that require a lot of thinking. I want the audience to not have to do any math to understand a joke. I just want them to experience the comedy and feel it and laugh from the gut.”
As alternative comedy has become mainstream, Bourque feels the phrase has become out-dated. “That’s why we’re calling the show ‘Not Your Normal New Year’s Eve’, It’s a way to communicate that, comedy-wise, we’re going to be heading over in this other direction. It’s about creativity, not the same old cookie-cutter comedy show.”
Weinbach elaborates, “The textbook definition of ‘alternative’ stand-up comedy is comedy that doesn’t seem like an act. It’s comedy that’s meant to seem like the comic is on stage just being funny and telling funny stories. Alternative stand-up, classically, has less to do with telling jokes with a traditional set-up and punch line structure and more to do with telling stories and being spontaneous.”
Brent Weinbach’s comedy act is almost defined by its lack of predictability. He is fearless in his exploration of offbeat subjects. “My comedy does not fit into the ‘alternative’ comedy rubric, because it is very much based around rehearsed and calculated bits. I do take a lot of risks on stage sometimes, but I still want to put on a show for the audience and bring entertaining routines to them.” And audiences around the country have responded. He’s in the midst of a national tour to promote his new album, “The Night Shift,” which has earned high praise from critics.
While the comedy of “Not Your Normal New Year’s Eve” is unconventional, some of the evening’s fun will be more traditional. Bourque explains, “We’ll have an exciting 2011 countdown and balloon drop at midnight.”
“Not Your Normal New Year’s Eve” will be presented at the beautiful 900-seat Herbst Theatre, which features dramatic chandeliers, a blue and gold-leaf ceiling, and eight large beaux-arts murals, created by vanguard artist Frank Brangwyn.
Weinbach added, “I think it’s neat to be performing at Herbst. It’s all classy and theatrical and stuff.”