Jason stands before us a comedian on the most important night of his life. Not because it is a big show with an audience full of people but rather because the most important person is sitting in watching him for the first time, his father. Jason grew up in a home with a mother that was in so much fear she did nothing to save his son from his abusive father. Neither parent showed him love, supported him or hoped that he would be successful at anything. But on this night Jason has invited his father to watch him do his stand up routine. It is the first time he has ever had his father’s attention and it is the most difficult moment of his life. To stand on stage and try to tell jokes when the only thing on his mind is that his dad is there. As he continues he looses himself becoming wrapped up in his childhood memories of what his father did to him and how on this night all he wanted was for his father to sit and for the first time in his life listen to him. Just listen to the things that he has to say, the life that he is living as a result of his father. There laughs are not plentiful, not as much as the sorrow is of a man that shares his soul with a bunch of strangers watching him on stage, one of which he calls, “Dad.”
Male- Laughs For My Father
$50.00Price
- (Jason steps up to a microphone, he picks it up and holds it in his hand. He looks down at notes that he’s written as if he is going over what he is going to say in his head, it is almost a mumble of thoughts. He has a moment of laughter to himself before he looks to the audience.) Gotta go over my material for tonight. I’m doing a stand up routine at the Lovin’ Laugh Lounge down on Eleventh Ave. it’s a pretty big deal for me. I been doing this stand up thing for a few years and tonight is special, it’s the first time that my dad is coming to see me do comedy. (Beat) He’s never been one of those supportive dad’s, never came to any of my competitions, never came to a baseball or a football game except the time my mom threatened to divorce him if he didn’t support me. He sat in the car until halftime and left. It’s okay, I’m use to it by now but being use to it doesn’t mean it hurts any less. Why do we need the acceptance of our parents? Why is that like a thing? (Beat, he looks back to his paper and begins to perform.) So I’m divorced, yeah big surprise there. That’s what happens when you tell your wife that the woman at the grocery store is prettier than her. “I know she’s your sister honey, doesn’t mean she can’t be prettier than you.” (He laughs) I hope he laughs tonight. (Beat) I just want to make him laugh.