43
Comedian returns to region in headlining position Cook’s comedy homecoming
By John Benson
Since leaving Northeast Ohio in 2013, comedian Curtis Cook has returned home numerous times; however, the Geauga County native’s upcoming visit is unlike any previous trip.
“This is the first time I’m headlining a show, and I’m happy to be doing it in the city I started comedy,” said the 2008 Kenston High School graduate, calling from his Culver City, Calif. home.
While the funnyman will be opening for the Sklar Brothers on Thursday through Saturday at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in Cleveland, the Oberlin College graduate will be the headliner tonight and Sunday.
The major career milestone isn’t lost on Cook, who while in college started attending open-mic nights in Cleveland. In fact, his stand-up debut took place at the old Bela Dubby venue in Lakewood.
“It went fine,” Cook said. “It wasn’t the worst thing I had ever done with my life, but it definitely wasn’t what I would call good now. But after doing it, I was hooked, and I started going back as much as I could. I started learning about more open mics in the area.”
That journey led him into clubs and bars where he became inspired by local comedians.
“I was influenced very heavily in the beginning by Mike Polk, Bill Squire and Ramon Rivas,” Cook said. “Those people were a bit of an inspiration when I started just because it was a chance to see comedy in person and to see what it looked like to be a tangible human being trying to pursue comedy and not a star from TV telling jokes on stage.”
When asked what it feels like to be cited as an influence, Polk, a Newton Falls native, laughed, “The term is ‘old head.’ I assume that I’ve influenced him in the form of a cautionary tale. Curtis is a talented guy with a lot to say. He’s a good writer, and he’s fearless. It’s just a matter of time before everyone knows his name.”
That same sentiment, sans the ‘old head’ reference, was shared by Youngstown Comedy Syndicate co-founder Shane Herman. Prior to Cook leaving the Rock Hall City for Portland, Ore., the aspiring comic won $500 in the collaboration’s comedy competition. That’s the money he used for the westward move.
“Curtis was the comedian we were always excited about getting for gigs in the Warren-Youngstown area,” Herman said. “You knew he was going to destroy on stage.
“He always brought a powerful presence and intellect that combined with his original style of comedy and brilliant joke writing would draw you in and keep you laughing from start to finish.”
After landing in Portland, Cook spent a few years cutting his teeth in the quirky city parodied by popular cult television show “Portlandia,” on which he made a guest appearance. Then last fall he moved to Los Angeles with hopes of hitting it big.
These days, Cook, who said his comedy style is a mix of D.L. Hughley, Ron White and Chris Rock, is talking on stage about his live-in girlfriend, as well as dabbling into some political material.
“I know Cleveland is a city in a swing state, so I’m not going to lean too far in either direction,” Cook said. “I also talk a little bit about race and a little bit about feminism, but I try not to be too preachy. At the end of the day, I want people to laugh and have a good time. And, I’m really excited to be getting back there.”