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Darren McCarty’s “Slapstick” Comedy Tour
August 7, 2022 @ 6:30 pm
THE “SLAPSTICK” COMEDY TOUR: STARRING 4x STANLEY CUP CHAMPION DARREN MCCARTY WSG KEVIN ZEOLI, KRISSI KINNEY & PAUL PIPITONE.
HOSTED BY BRIAN HAAS.
Join us for an evening of Comedy and legendary fight stories from D-Mac’s days with the Detroit Red Wings, along with 4 of Detroit’s hottest comics on the circuit today!
YOUR HOST & EMCEE: COMEDIAN BRIAN AKA “ BIG BOOGIE” HAAS-
Brian has been Darren McCarty’s emcee & tour manager for 4 years now. They’ve been all over Michigan Doing comedy shows, private signings, speaking events, along with booking’s for Darren’s rock band “ Grinder”.
YOUR FEATURE: COMEDIAN KEVIN ZEOLI
Kevin Zeoli is one of the most dynamic acts to come out of the midwest In quite sometime. Hailing from Detroit, Kevin has been successfully Entertaining audiences all over the country for over 25 years strong.
With a touch of singing, solid material, and sone of the very best Improvised Interactions on the Comedy circuit.
His act is one that everyone from any culture and age will enjoy!
YOUR FEATURE: COMEDIENNE KRISSI KINNEY-
Krissi Kinney has been been doing stand- up comedy for 5 years now all over Michigan. She has a playful approach to sharing crazy life stories! She also does acting, improv, and puts together charity events. You’re going to love the comedic stylings of Krissi Kinney!
SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE:
COMEDIAN PAUL PIPITONE-
Paul Pipitone has been rocking stages all over Michigan for over 10 years. Paul will take you on a comedic journey from his life in an Italian family, to his love for the hit film “ Goodfellas” and Rocky movies.
Paul’s the host and emcee of his longtime, legendary Comedy open-mic at the “New Way Bar” every Monday night in Ferndale.
YOUR HEADLINER: COMEDIAN & LEGENDARY 4x DETROIT RED WINGS CHAMPION.. DARREN “ D-MAC” MCCARTY:
Darren McCarty can laugh now, and that’s exactly the point in delivering punchlines instead of punches.
What’s so funny is that given the crazy road he has traveled, the former Detroit Red Wings bad boy sees humor as the latest extension of outreach to fans and therapy for himself.
“There’s nothing you can embarrass me about that I haven’t already embarrassed myself,” he said with a chuckle.
McCarty, 50 is a legend to Detroit hockey fans for his rugged play and deft scoring skills, some incredible brawls and four Stanley Cup championships. His dark moments have also been documented – battles with alcoholism, financial missteps and marital strife.
Pretty funny stuff? Well, yeah, McCarty said.
“What I’ve had to do to survive is not what I’d recommend for a life plan,” he said. “But I’m here and can share what not to do or, for someone else, it’s like, ‘Hey, I’m here and OK. You can be, too.'”
McCarty leads the “Slapstick Tour” coming to Freddy’s Bar & Grill’s “ Sunday Night Live” Comedy Showcase in Clinton Township) Sunday-August 7th, 2022
McCarty credits medical marijuana with saving him from his alcohol addiction and, just to throw out a couple other notables, he fronted a rock band, “Grinder,” for 10 years and wrote his autobiography, “My Last Fight: The True Story of a Hockey Rock Star” in 2013.
As for hockey, his fight against Colorado’s Claude Lemieux – “Fight Night at The Joe” – in 1997 is legendary as was his role on the “Grind Line” with Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby in 1997-98. He also rejoined the Red Wings late in 2008, scored in the opening round of the playoffs, and helped the team to the Stanley Cup title, his fourth with the team.
He played 15 seasons in the NHL and also played with the Flint Generals and the Grand Rapids Griffins.
So, he has stories. McCarty steered away from calling himself a standup comedian. He likened himself as an entertainer and storyteller. He takes his life experiences and spins them funny-side up.
“My line is, I apologize, but I’ve learned as I matured that you can’t help everybody out there,” he said. “I tell audiences that when you leave I wish you unicorns and butterflies and eternal happiness, but I can’t control that. All I can control is two hours in D-Mac’s world to be welcomed in and enjoy.”
Given his past, he also hopes his humor and storytelling can help others.
“I see it was a way to connect with people, people I’ve known and who have known about me for a long time,” he said. “So, I tell some hockey stories, share some life stuff and some of it ends up being funny. McCarty has been at it about 4 years now.
“It will lead where it leads,” he said. “But I’ll say right here, calling me a comic is like calling me a musician – it’s an insult to those professions.
“I’m an entertainer. That’s what I do. Really always have, I guess.”
Be sure to get your tickets early. This show will sell out quick. Every ticket holder receives a meet & greet with Darren. Darren will be happy to take pictures and sign any memorabilia you have:)
Come early for dinner & drinks. Freddy’s is known for great food, drinks, staff, and the best entertainment in Clinton Township. Your Eastside destination!
DOORS: 6:00pm
SHOWTIME: 7:30pm
TICKETS: $25