Detroit Free Press Comedy Central Update Real Detroit Weekly #1 Hour Detroit Real Detroit Weekly #2 Mojo of Mojo in the Morning 95.5 FM Detroit |
| Mojo of Mojo in the Morning 95.5 FM Detroit Quote "Extremely funny, but virtually unknown." top |
| Real Detroit Weekly Voted Best Comedian in Detroit J. Chris Newberg was accepted to the NACA Nationals and will showcase in Cincinatti, OH on Valentines Day weekend. top |
| Hour Detroit Heard Instinct, by Matt Lee Chris Alive II, J. Chris Newberg (In Stereo Records): On his first CD, Sucker 4 a Pretty Face, musical comedian and Birmingham native J. Chris Newberg sings about unreciprocated love and, on a local note, identity crisis -- Detroit-style. "The Pontiac Detroit Lions provide us many thrills/and I love those Detroit Pistons, yeah, the ones from Auburn Hills," he crooned. On Chris Alive II, Newberg delves further into the same themes, with oft-raunchy, but hilarious, results. Newberg, a former rock and roller, pens as catchy a tune as many pop acts, and has an acute sense of the absurd: On an imaginary relationship with a Russian girlfriend, he sings, "We'd eat borscht/as we watched Rocky IV/But she would root for Drago." Newberg also has a keen eye, which he frequently turns toward Detroit. This makes Chris Alive II even funnier for locals -- who else would understand the humor behind a song called "Representing the 2-4-8"? top |
| Real Detroit Weekly The Brits Are Funny, by Kip Dexter Motor City Improv has been slowly building steam as one of Detroit's up-and-coming improv troupes, and with the opening of their new show, Drai Hoomph, they show just how unstoppable they are. The new show, running at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Wunderground Theater in Royal Oak, is an outrageously funny romp with all the irrelevant charm of Kids in the Hall and all the pop culture know-how of MTV. The show is a revue of scenes, songs and improvisations, and frequently visits the reunion tour of Drai Hoomph, a wanna-be British rock group with a penchant for humping. It's a little bit Behind the Music; a little bit SNL; and entirely funny. The very talented cast (Lesley Barden, James Bonadio, Matt Gannaway, Mike Lomas, J. Chris Newberg and Billy "Z" Zakolski) are truly fearless actors as they take you from one inspired bit to another. All of them have been seen on many of Detroit’s finest stages including The Gem, Second City, Mark Ridley's and Pine Knob (er ...DTE Energy). They lampoon any and everything: Tomb Raider, Bon Jovi, urban legends, TRL, "Barrel of Monkeys," rock 'n' roll and even Lord of the Dance. The crisp transitions and well-paced show can be attributed to the show's director, Lisa Maxine Melinn. Ms. Melinn is currently a member of Second City’s Touring Company and her background shows. The show never lets up, and moves from one scene to another giving the audience a wild and hilarious ride. Music plays a huge part in this show and every song is well-picked and smartly placed, forcing the audience to really take the show in on all levels. Along with the through-line of Drai Hoomph, a number of very funny and original scenes stand out. Two young hoodlums try to raise money at a lemonade stand by convincing the neighbors that their parents just died. Four friends try to find the safest way home from Canada after an unruly 19th birthday party. Even an audience member is picked to be a boyfriend meeting Lesley's "family" for the first time. The show covers all sorts of themes and all of them are a welcomed treat. The cast boasts two new comers in J. Chris Newberg and Lesley Barden. Newberg, once guitarist for the Voodoo Hippies, adds his wonderful brand of sarcasm and music and Barden is a triple threat--smart, funny and sexy--and she does a terrific job of holding her own amongst the boys. The show currently is only set to run through the end of August, and opening night was more than sold out, so you'll want to hurry. This cast will soon be in bigger, brighter spotlights, see them while you can still brag. top |
| Comedy Central Update Laugh Riots, Stand-Up Competition J. Chris has made it into the semi-finals of Comedy Centrals' Laugh Riots Stand-Up Competition. Out of eight hundred applicants, fifty states, and eleven semi-finalists from this region, J. Chris is sitting in the number 6 slot. He'll be off to Chicago next month to play in front of the good folks of TV land. Check back for progress updates. For more information on the Laugh Riots Stand-Up Competition, click on the link below and check it out. top |
Detroit Free Press Star Search, The Areas Killer Comedians Though Newberg is new to the comedy scene, veterans such as Ridley say he has shown flashes of star potential. A 30-year-old Birmingham resident, Newberg started doing stand-up five months ago, but he's been seen on local stages for 12 years as guitarist-songwriter for alternative rock band the Vudu Hippies. His cool, laid-back routine is based on original, acoustic songs. top |
