Comedy Heights opened October this past weekend with Sinan Julnes and Danny Dunn sharing the spotlight at Lestat’s, and the pairing worked because they came at comedy from completely different directions. Sinan spends his days studying human behavior as an Industrial Organizational Psychologist, which gives him a pretty deep supply of material once he gets near a microphone. Workplace nonsense, strange social habits, audience interaction, nothing is really safe when your comedian has professional training in figuring out why people behave the way they do. Danny Dunn brought a different history to the room. Former college football player, failed NFL dream, successful gluten allergy. Somewhere along the way he discovered stand up, which may have been the healthier career choice. Maybe.

Erasmo Ramos joined both nights, with The Comedy Heights LaughPac opening both shows.  Al Gavi hosted Friday and Chrissy Castriota hosted on Saturday, giving each show its own lineup.

What I liked about this weekend was that the comedians didn’t have to manufacture interesting points of view. They already had them. Psychology, sports, relationships, work, everyday stupidity. There was plenty to work with before anybody even started writing jokes. And once the shows got moving, Lestat’s did what Lestat’s does best. Small room, audience close to the stage, comedians getting immediate answers to a very simple question: Was that funny? This weekend, the answer was yes.

Thanks to Sinan Julnes, Danny Dunn, Erasmo Ramos, The Comedy Heights LaughPac,  Al Gavi and Chrissy Castriota, and to everyone who came out to start October with us.

One weekend into October. Plenty of trouble left.