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RIPLEY – Jacob Hall is looking for a few laughs … and a large crowd at the Alpine Theater in Ripley on Friday.
Hall, a graphic designer by day and a comedian at night, is putting on “Laugh Out Loud @ The Alpine” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Main Street building in downtown Ripley.
Admission to the Ripley show at 210 W. Main St. is $10. The show is intended for mature audiences because of adult language.
Hall, as host, will be joined on stage at the comedy night by Kanawha Valley comedy night regulars Lynn Browder of South Charleston, Patrick Felton of St. Albans, Andy Frampton of Chesapeake, and Thomas Mac, Sheilamadrie Humbertson, Josh Weeks, Brittany McComas, McRyan Carrier and Hassan, all of Charleston.
“Laugh Out Loud @ The Alpine” is the name of the show and the desired result, said Hall, a Ripley native. He recently returned from his comedy club debut in New York City, performing at The Broadway Comedy Club and The Comic Strip Live.
“I had a real blast in New York City,” Hall said of his first visit to “The Big Apple.”
He admitted to being scared when he got off the bus in New York but is now looking forward to return visits. Hall said his comedy routine received a favorable reaction at The Comic Strip Live, billed as the longest-running comedy club in the world.
“I got a lot of laughs … and some great pointers,” he said.
Hall enjoyed meeting veteran comedian/writer Gladys Simon, who gave him suggestions and invited him back to perform at The Comic Strip Live. He also received a DVD of his performance at the venue.
His performance at The Broadway Comedy Club, 318 West 53rd St., was a little “slower,” he said. It consisted mostly of comedians talking among themselves in a workshop-style session.
Hall said his favorite comedians are Jerry Seinfeld and Conan O’Brien. He does funny twists on topics and not “shock” comedy, he said. He will “bash” himself in a comedy routine but not make fun of other people.
Hall hopes to bring his comedy shows to other cities in West Virginia.
“Why should Charleston only offer comedy shows?” he asks.
He attends the Comedy Nights on Thursdays at Mojo’s Sports Bar in South Charleston.
Hall has been performing as a comedian since 2010. He grew up on a sheep farm in Jackson County, graduated from Ripley High School in 2006 and from Marshall University in 2010 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design.