Filipino standup comedian Mike Unson will perform in “Mayhem B. Funny,”
a nine-night series starting June 5, and all succeeding Tuesdays until July 31, at Johnny B. Good (formerly Hard Rock Cafe),
I’ve seen him onstage once at 12 Monkeys back when it was still in Century City, and he was good—his humor thankfully not of the usual gay comedy bar type, in the sense that his jokes don’t ridicule the audience.
It’s nice to know, as publicity material says, that Unson is a 15-year veteran of the local stand-up comedy scene who has performed at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Solaire Grand Ballroom, PICC, NBC Tent and Waterfront Hotel Cebu Grand Ballroom.
He has also done shows with Rob Schneider, author and humorist David Sedaris, and Filipino-American stand-up comedy star Rex Navarrete.
Unson can be seen on the iFlix series “Hoy Bibig Mo,” episode 1, season 1.
Unson’s original material is said to be based on encounters with taxi and jeepney drivers, street vendors, mall security guards, and (un)talented bands; as well as his childhood nanny, dealing with middle-child syndrome, and other true-to-life situations.”
Also performing are members of Unson’s Comedy Mayhem troupe: ventriloquist Ruther Urquia, stand-up comedians Eric Salazar, Michelle Defensor, Sergio Bellarus, KorteSupremo; and spoken-word artists Jerome Cleofas, PhD, and Mark Dimaisip.
Currently, Unson is in the creative team of GMA 7’s “Pepito Manaloto.”
Johnny B. Good, 2nd floor, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati. Tickets to “Mayhem B. Funny,” at P400 each, inclusive of one soda, ice tea or local beer. Tel. 8934661
Busy Pido
Pido Lalimarmo is busy these days, fronting at least two bands—the Black Cows and the recently revived ArtStart. He also does gigs as Pido, backed by a revolving lineup of notable musicians.
Last Saturday night, at Music Hall in Metrowalk, Pasig, I caught his band’s latest incarnation—with bassist Bolichie Suzara, vocalist Drizzle Muñiz, drummer Gibson Viduya, and keyboardist Wowee Posadas.
Lalimarmo showed his wide knowledge of pop, acceding to requests like Edwin McCain’s “I’ll Be,” and letting Muñiz sing lead on D’Sound’s “Tattooed on My Mind and Lee Ritenour’s “Is It You?” as well as reminding fans that he’s still one of the best interpreters of Stephen Bishop’s “On and On” and Christopher Cross’ “Sailing,” finding time to add to the mix his original composition, “Misty Glass Window,” and displaying hsi remarkable guitar-playing skills.
Posadas has apparently been enjoying playing with Lalimarmo—sneaking in some wonderful jazz fills on some numbers.
The whole band floored me with its outstanding cover of Tears For Fear’s “Head Over Heels” and “Everybody Wants To Rule the World.”