Folks used to mock ventriloquists mercilessly as outdated, unfunny relics of comedy as it was a century ago. Then came Jeff Dunham. He’s made the ancient art of voice-throwing contemporary and cutting-edge, with wild TV specials like “Spark of Insanity” and “Controlled Chaos.” He has broken sales records with his stand-up comedy tours, and his fan base is global. (His latest Netflix special, “Relative Disaster, was filmed in Ireland.)
Dunham and his diminutive, loquacious friends – purple-skinned Peanut, curmudgeonly Walter, Jose the talking jalapeno pepper, NASCAR fan Bubba J and Achmed the Dead Terrorist – are a top draw in Vegas but continue to tour incessantly. You won’t see Dunham’s lips move 8 p.m. July 21 Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville. 1-888-226-7711, mohegansun.com.
Kate Quigley
Recent tweets from stand-up comedian Kate Quigley comment on major passions. “Every moment we spend together is the greatest moment of my life,” she writes, explaining this is “me, talking to ice cream.” She follows a news item about delirious soccer fans “invading” IKEA after England beat Sweden in the World Cup with this observation: “Tomorrow they will invade the hardware store for missing nuts, bolts and Allen wrenches.”
Quigley tackles more conventional passions on her podcast “#DateFails.” She does her stand-up act July 19-21 at Mohegan Sun’s Comix Club, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $15-$35. 1-888-226-7711, mohegansun.com.
Tammy Pescatelli
Like Kate Quigley, Tammy Pescatelli likes to joke on twitter (“the divorce rate among my socks is astonishing”), appears on a lot of podcasts, and is supremely comfortable in comedy clubs.
Pescatelli is at Bobby V’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, 11 Schoephoester Road, Windsor Locks, for a single show, 8 p.m. July 21. Also on the bill: Luca Palanca and Tom Stewart. Tickets are $25. 860-627-5808, bobbyvsrestaurant.com.
Leonard Ouzts
Leonard Ouzts, still in his early 20s, has been tagged as a real up-and-comer, well known in the New York clubs and now actively touring the country. He’s at the Funny Bone, 194 Buckland Hills Dr. Suite #1054, Manchester, for four shows: July 20 and 21 at both 7:30 and 10 p.m. and July 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. 860-432-8600, hartford.funnybone.com
![By JAKE COYLE (AP Film Writer) NEW YORK (AP) — “The Fall Guy,” the Ryan Gosling-led, action-comedy ode to stunt performers, opened below expectations with $28.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, providing a lukewarm start to a summer movie season that’s very much to be determined for Hollywood. The Universal Pictures release opened on […]](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Film_-_The_Fall_Guy_54148.jpg?w=620 "By JAKE COYLE (AP Film Writer) NEW YORK (AP) — “The Fall Guy,” the Ryan Gosling-led, action-comedy ode to stunt performers, opened below expectations with $28.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, providing a lukewarm start to a summer movie season that’s very much to be determined for Hollywood. The Universal Pictures release opened on […]")