How old school is Willie Barcena? The standup comedian’s next television program will be in black and white.
Barcena headlines Reno Tahoe Comedy Thursday in the Crystal Bay Casino, Friday at the Boomtown Casino in Reno and Friday and Saturday in the Pioneer Underground in Reno.
His old-school bent includes not being afraid to speak his mind on subjects like sexually dysfunctional religious zealots, nonconventional child rearing and. basically, “the hardcore around us of how I see life,” he said.
“I am one of those old school acts,” he told Tahoe Onstage. “If it were up to me people would still smoke in nightclubs.”
Barcena has starred in hourlong specials on both Showtime and Comedy Central. His third will be recorded at Feb. 14-15 shows in El Paso, Texas.
“The others were recorded in theaters and this one is in a nightclub,” he said. “I’ve always lived the nightclub thing. The whole vibe of the nightclub is more conducive to who I am.”
The shows are the next project of Steve Longi, who also is developing a show about comic Sam Kinison.
The Los Angeles resident who once had an early morning radio show in Sacramento has appeared on Jay Leno’s show more than 10 times. He’s also appeared on “Moesha,” “The Wayans Brothers,” and he the host of “Latino Laugh Festival – The Show.” He has performed at the Improv at South Shore and said he will “peel the onion” at the Tahoe and Reno. That might mean audience members will laugh so hard they cry.
Willie Barcena
Host: Butch Escobar
Openers: Mark Manning, Mike Akay and Craig X
When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16
Where: Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room
Tickets: www.renotahoecomedy.com
Where else:
- Jan. 17 at Boomtown Casino, Verdi (775-345-6000) TICKETS
- Jan. 17-18 Pioneer Underground, Reno (775-322-5233)
