Comedian Brian Regan – funny and respected – performs at DPAC

Brian Regan has a schtick. But, happily for everyone concerned, it happens to be the single best schtick you can have in the comedy business: He writes really, really funny jokes.

Regan is one of the top-tier stand-up comics in America today, with a fan base strong enough to support what has essentially been a nonstop theater tour for more than 10 years. He’s also known as a “comic’s comic” – the kind of artist who has earned the respect of fellow comics on the raw strength of his jokes and performance chops.

Regan will perform Friday at 8 p.m. at the Durham Performing Arts Center. He recently chatted with the N&O about Steven Wright (also in Durham this weekend), performing in Alaska, and a little-known fact concerning stand-up compensation policies.

Q: Do you come through North Carolina much or are you familiar with the area? Is there a different vibe for you working in this region, or the South generally?

A: Actually, I started comedy in south Florida, so when I first went out on the road, most of my early shows were in the South, including, of course, North Carolina. So, yes, I’ve been through the area many times – and since your readers will be reading this, North Carolina is my favorite place on Earth!

Q: You said an interesting thing once that crowds in different cities can have a longer or shorter “fuse” – can you talk more about that? When you go back to a certain place, do you have a sense of what to expect?

A: Well, you have to earn your laughs everywhere. But certain areas of the country give you a little less time to get your foot in the door. I love playing in the Northeast – Boston, New York, Philadelphia – but in cities like that, you want to show you’re funny pretty quickly. If you do, they’ll ride your ride. But if you bore them up front, they might let you know about it.

In other areas of the country, audiences can be more patient. And there are certain places where they’re just happy you’re there. For example, I did the Alaska State Fair in an outdoor venue in front of a bunch of people sitting in cold rain. They were one of the best audiences ever. It felt like they were saying, “If you flew here to Alaska for us, we’ll sit here in the cold rain for you.”

Q: If you want to break into comedy, there are a lot of ways to go. You can do sketch or improv, write for TV, act, write books, etc. What is it about stand-up that appeals to you as a way to make comedy?

A: A stand-up comedian is given One Million Dollars after every performance. I did not know that at first. After my first open mic in a dingy little club, the bartender opened the register, pulled out some bills, and handed them to me saying, “Here’s your One Million Dollars.” I was stunned. I asked, “Can I come to open mic night next week?”

Q: Steven Wright is also performing in the area this week. He’s said that his famous surreal one-liners usually come to him more or less fully formed. Your jokes also have specific phrasings that give everything a rhythm. But is that a conscious process?

A: Every comedian is different. I love Steven Wright. I think his stuff is brilliant. And perhaps that’s part of his brilliance – that his ideas pop out of his head pretty much intact. My process is a little different. I might think of the general idea for a joke or bit, but then I like to play around with the wording after I already have the idea. The tweaking process is fun for me.

Q: You recently performed in Comedy Central’s first-ever live broadcast stand-up special, from Radio City Music Hall. As the performer in the middle of a huge production like that, are there technical concerns that make it different from a typical theater show or taping?

A: The technical stuff is handled by one of the best comedy directors in the business – Troy Miller of Dakota Films. So, I’m not concerned about that side of things. My only mission is to get onstage and have fun like I do every time I perform.

Q: Anything else you would like to highlight or add about the upcoming Durham show?

A: I can’t wait until the end of the show, when the bartender will open the register and give me One Million Dollars.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Comedian Brian Regan – funny and respected – performs at DPAC."