Stephen Lynch Lives for a Laugh and a Song

By Iris Wiener

Stephen Lynch is a self-proclaimed musician trapped in a comic’s body. Fans know to expect laughter to the beat of Lynch’s guitar, which is never far from his side. His story is that of a person born to make people laugh through the majesty of song.
After moving to New York in 1996 with the goal of becoming a performer, he quickly developed a devoted fan base when he became a regular on the raunchy “Opie and Anthony” radio show. Due to his awesome following and popular live shows, Comedy Central cable network invited Lynch to record his first special in 2000.
That special became one of their highest rated performances, a ridiculously surprising feat for an unknown comic. Lynch’s second special debuted in January 2008, with similarly high ratings.
Lynch has also made a name for himself in the Broadway community. Once again utilizing musical and comic talent, he stepped onto the Broadway stage in 2006 in the title role of The Wedding Singer. He had tough shoes to fill; Adam Sandler made the film of the same name a comedy hit.
Lynch’s performance earned him nominations for the highest honors in American Theatre, including the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, as well as a nomination for the highly coveted TonyAward for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.
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Lynch has sold thousands of copies of his first three CDs around the world. His fourth CD, 3 Balloons, was recently released as Lynch packed his bags and started touring for Comedy Central’s new live entertainment division. Before hitting The Capital One Bank Theatre in Westbury, New York on April 23, Lynch chatted with The Improper.
TheImproper: If you had to describe your comedy in three words, what would they be?
Lynch: Spinal. Tap. Rip-off.
IM: Describe the writing process involved when it comes to preparing your act. Where do you look for inspiration?
Lynch: Ideas come from everywhere: my dreams, my conversations, my observations, and especially my red velvet-covered unicorn-themed man-journal.
IM: Comedians I’ve spoken to in the past claim they just talk about whatever comes to mind when they get onstage. Can you relate to that, or are you a more rehearsed “performer?”
Lynch: Unless I'm paying to see an improvisational troupe, I want a little thought and effort to go into someone's act. There's always room for spontaneity and extemporaneous riffing, but I tend to write a show, then perform it. If I come up with something off the cuff one night and I like it, I'll keep it in the show.
IM: What is your earliest memory of yourself as a comedian? Were you that kid telling jokes at the Thanksgiving dinner table? Did your jokes and/or comedy ever get you in trouble (perhaps with a grade school teacher)?
Lynch: My friends and I would switch off doing Bill Cosby routines that we had memorized. The teachers loved that. Then I moved on to Richard Pryor routines. The teachers did not love that.
IM: How did you learn to play the guitar? Why did you want to learn how to play?
Lynch: I picked it up from my grimy, dirty, punk rock friends who all played in bands. They were much better than I was, so I tried to make up for it by making them laugh when I wrote songs. As they were high, it was very easy.
IM: You have some dance and vocal skills up your sleeve as well! You were phenomenal in The Wedding Singer. How much ribbing did you get from your friends and family when they found out you were going to be on Broadway?
Lynch: They all respected the fact that I was going to be living out one of my dreams: sequins and jazz hands!
IM: What was your first reaction to getting the news that you would be on Broadway? What did that experience teach you about your own talents?
Lynch: Doing Broadway reminded me how much I love being in control of my own show: picking the songs, the order of those songs, audience interaction, improvisation, etc. Doing The Wedding Singer was great, but after nine months I felt like I was in Groundhog Day.
IM: Who has inspired you as a comedian and as a performer?
Lynch: As a comedian, Richard Pryor and Don Rickles. I loved watching Mitch Hedberg when we toured together, Louis C.K. is fantastic. As a performer, just Charo.
IM: What is your favorite subject to poke fun about on stage or on your albums? Why?
Lynch: Religion is fun, because people take it so seriously. Politics is something I'm starting to explore now. And Nazis are always hilarious.
IM: What will your fans enjoy most about 3 Balloons?
Lynch: The fancy lettering on the cover. Oh, and the new songs.
IM: Where does the title 3 Balloons come from? What other titles did you grapple with before settling on that one?
Lynch: It comes from one of the songs, which describes my attempt to smuggle narcotics into the country via my anus. True story.
IM: Describe a live experience with Stephen Lynch. What can fans expect to hear from you at The Capital One Bank Theatre at Westbury on April 23rd?
Lynch: There will be many new songs, some works in progress, some videos, some karaoke, some duets with friends, I will attempt to play piano on stage for the first time, and I will play my Lionel Richie covers album in its entirety.
IM: Tell me something no one else would know about you.
Lynch: I have a tattoo of the comedy/tragedy masks on my inner thigh.
IM: Where would you like to see yourself in ten years?
Lynch: Still songwriting. Maybe back on Broadway. Perhaps some TV or movie roles. Definitely another Lionel Richie cover album.
IM: I’m curious about your feelings on some of America’s favorite issues over which to ponder. Respond to the following list with whatever comes to mind:
IM: Dancing with the Stars?
Lynch: Never watched it.
IM: Angelina Jolie?
Lynch: Frangelina Molie.
IM: Octo-Mom?
Lynch: Gay.
IM: Jimmy Fallon vs. Conan O’Brien?
Lynch: The funniest fight ever.
IM: Rhianna and Chris Brown?
Lynch: The second funniest fight ever.
IM: Plastic surgery?
Lynch: Ball-lift.
IM: Britney Spears?
Lynch: Gay.
IM: Proposition 8?
Lynch: Bullshit.
IM: Yankees vs. Mets?
Lynch: I hate hockey.
IM: The recession / economy / gas prices?
Lynch: Michael McDonald's "I Keep Forgetting."
IM: Bernie Madoff?
Lynch: Tyra Banks.
IM: Movies turned into Broadway shows?
Lynch: "Scarface the Musical."
IM: Childhood obesity?
Lynch: Maury Povich.
IM: The Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus?
Lynch: Delicious.
IM: The “Twilight” series?
Lynch: De-Lynch-ous
IM: Long Island vs. New York City?
Lynch: London.
IM: Sarah Palin?
Lynch: Gay.
IM: “Going Green?”
Lynch: Going Lorne Green.
IM: Facebook?
Lynch: Walker, Texas Ranger.
IM: What appeals to you most about being in a magazine called The Improper?
Lynch: That literally tens of people will read this interview.
 

The
Palm Beach Improv
Presents

Stephen Lynch

May 7th

8pm

 

Purchase tickets 24/7 at www.PalmBeachImprov.com or call (561) 833-1812.