Comedy Act Theatre (Planet)

Opening on August 5, 1985, The Comedy Act Theatre was the hub of fresh and innovative African American comedy; located in the Leimert Park area of Los Angeles, California, an established area of art, music, and culture. ^[1] The Club incorporated one year later in 1986. Over the 12 years of its existence, The Comedy Act Theatre's venues expanded to Oakland, California (1987), the Mid-town area of Atlanta, Georgia (1990) and Chicago, Illinois (1992).Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).</ref> Virtually every African American Comedian that is enjoying a career in the field today had their roots in the Clubs. Many of today's performers started, performed at or were inspired by a performer who took the mic at one of the four Comedy Acts Theatres across the country. At its height, The Comedy Act Theatre lovingly dubbed C.A.T. was the mecca of and bedrock for the present-day billion-dollar African American comedy movement. With a regular audience of 250 to 400 patrons per night, the who's who of entertainment were its regulars. Among its frequent audience members: Spike Lee, Magic Johnson, Denzel Washington, Russell Simmons, Lawrence Fishburne, Mike Tyson, and Tisha Campbell-Martin, to name a few. ^[2]

A standout talent for the Club was the late Robin Harris (BeBe's Kids) who the clubs founder Michael E. Williams met in 1980. Harris would later become the Master of Ceremonies for the Leimert Park club and would perform at other Comedy Act Theatres venues until his untimely death in 1990. ^[3]

Societies Impact On Comedy

With the advent of cable television and its lack of censorship, combined with the new Hip Hop culture emerging and impacting society; the industry both changed and expanded exponentially. The world became familiar with comedians that at one time could only be found in venues like the Comedy Act Theatre. The industry was infused with new money—emerging from the changes in the U.S. social structure—i.e., technology, Hip Hop, and new freedoms of creative speech, within the entertainment industry. What was at one time termed "blue" comedy became everyday humor. Former patrons of the Williams' clubs utilized what they learned while attending the clubs, linking these performers to new contacts. Opportunities arose to showcase talent regularly on television. The new-found television exposure led to cable specials, movies and a new era of comedy which hit the mainstream. Once the grooming process was complete, many performers of the Comedy Act Theatres' found the adage to be true, "Success comes when preparation meets opportunity", and the rest is history. Unfortunately, as is the custom of the entertainment industry credit was not always given to the innovators. ^[4] Credit for career breakthroughs was attributed to the television and cable specials and their host or producers, not to the clubs that spawned the grooming process which was necessary for the performer to be "discovered". ^[5]

Creator and Visionary

Michael E. (Eugene) Williams (aka The Godfather of Comedy) is the third of nine children born to Ellis Williams (Dallas, Texas) and Frances Mitcham Williams (North Little Rock, Arkansas). Williams born in Los Angeles, California, was assisted in the operation of the Atlanta, Georgia and Chicago, Illinois clubs by two of his siblings. Williams is the father of one daughter, Kiyoko.

Michael E. Williams played a pivotal role in the formation of countless talented and creative comedic souls through his mentorship. His Comedy Act Theatre clubs provided a place for up and coming comedians to get the necessary on-stage experience, they needed to hone their craft. His clubs were considered an intimate venue where established comedic performers could connect anew with their audience in a welcoming cultural environment unique to the African American experience. ^[2]

Williams was forced to shutter the clubs in 1997 following a cancer diagnosis, with a life-ending prognosis, followed by the battle of his life to overcome the disease. Plans to reopen were delayed further due to the illnesses of both of his parents. Upon his recovery, Williams became their primary care provider until their deaths in 2002 and 2006 respectively. Williams conducted Reunion events at the original site of the Leimert Park club supported by super-stars performers, Chris Tucker, and Martin Lawrence among other well known Hollywood personalities who call the clubs their "home".

Returning to his passion, and in consideration of technology changes, Williams found himself inundated by a new wave of up and coming talent from around the world. The Comedy Act Planet continues the mission and vision of what was the Comedy Act Theatre. ^[6]

Performers

For 12 years (1985 - 1997) The Comedy Act Theatre's welcomed to the stage the likes of ^{[7] [8] [9]}:

(in alphabetical order)

Franklyn Ajaye, Anthony Anderson, Charlie Barnett (Deceased), Roseanne Barr, Lester Barrie, Bill Bellamy, Doo Doo Brown, Bruce Bruce, Jemmerio Byrd, Ryan Cameron, Dave Chappelle, Deon Cole, Kim Coles, Michael Colyar, Melanie Comarcho, Lance Crouther, Rusty Cundieff, Don D.C. Curry, Mark Curry, Tommy Davidson, Louis Dix, Jr., D'Millitant, Cedric The Entertainer, Pierre Edwards, Earthquake, Mike Epps, Art Evans, Jamie Foxx, Redd Foxx (Deceased), Sylvia Small Fry, Jeffery Garcia, Adele Givens, Whoopi Goldberg, Dick Gregory (Deceased), David Alan Grier, Arsenio Hall, Robin Harris (Deceased), Steve Harvey, Miss Laura Hayes, Shirley Hemphill (Deceased), John Hinton, Kenny Howell, D.L. Hughley, Arnez J, Myra J, AJ Johnson, TK Kirkland, Angie Lamar, Bobby Law, Martin Lawrence, Roland “Buddy” Lewis, Fazion Love, Lunelle, Bernie Mac (Deceased), TJ McGhee (Deceased), Angela Means, Cory "Zooman" Miller, Monique, Chinnetta "Chocolate" Morris, Reggie McFadden, Marva Louis “Simply Marvelous” Moncrief (Deceased), Mr. Paul Mooney, Rudy Ray Moore (Deceased), Robin Montague, Eddie Murphy, Tim Murray, Gary Owen, LaWanda Page (Deceased), Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Don Reed, Renaldo Rey (Deceased), Roy Rice, Chris Rock, Brad Sanders, Daryl Sivad, Tony Sculfield, Sherri Shepherd, Rondell Sheridan, Sinbad, Rickey Smiley, Tasha Smith, Wanda Smith, Sommore, Jason Stuart, Suzanne Sutter, Alex Thomas, Robert Townsend, Chris Tucker, Cheryl Underwood, George Wallace, Jimmy Walker, Wyl Ward, Marcia Warfield, Damon Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Dap Sugar Willie (Deceased), Jerry Winn (Deceased), John Witherspoon (Deceased), Kym Whitley, Damon Williams, Yvette Renee Wilson (Deceased), Rodney Winfield (Deceased), Chris Arceneaux & Norman Mitchell,

Improv teams: Los Angeles and Atlanta Comedy Act Players (featuring Buddy Lewis and Joe Torry) Dr. Purvey and the Free Clinic Players And numerous others ^[10]

Entertainment Industry Impact

As the chain of comedy clubs became successful, they emerged as an opportunity for its audiences to hear their artistic voice expressed through the performers on-stage. And those performers found their talent spotlighted around the globe. The Comedy Act Theatre exposed (show-business professionals), i.e., producers, writers, directors, casting agents Robi Reed, and talent promoters, to a new pool of performers. Many of the performer's careers moved from an exclusive comedy club environment to all aspects of the entertainment industry, stage, feature films, television, voice-over performers, writers, directors, producers, the opportunities were endless. ^[2]The Comedy Act Theatres were the launching pad for many notables careers. ^{[11] [12]}