Stand-up comic Mo Mandel will be gracing the stage at Hilarities on East Fourth Street in downtown Cleveland Oct. 3 through Oct. 6. Mandel first caught critics’ eyes when he won the San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 2006 and Comedy Central’s Open Mic Fight the following year.
We caught up with Mandel before he embarked on his trip to Cleveland to talk about his career, working with Chelsea Handler and what he really thinks about our great city of Cleveland.
When did you start doing stand-up comedy and why?
I started out in 2004 so almost 10 years now. I always wanted to be a novelist growing up and I was really interested in writing and short stories. I had a cousin named Sue Kolinsky who was a fairly successful comedian, so I grew up watching her on TV. Some time in college I got sick of writing things that no one ever wanted to read, because I wrote these angry, angsty novels. Stand-up comedy is a great way to force your thoughts on other people, because you have a microphone.
Where do you get your material from?
When I first started out it was about my crazy family. Both my parents are Jewish transplants from NYC and raised me in a sort of hippie environment in northern Califonria. That gave birth to a lot of areas of humor. Lately, I’ve been on the road so much I’ve been able to take in a lot of America and it’s been more about my observations.
You’ve performed on “Chelsea Lately” many times. What’s it like working with Chelsea Handler?
It’s been great. Chelsea is a great example. The real key with being successful with comedy is really wanting to be yourself and letting people see you as you are. I think she’s been able to do that and I think that’s why people gravitate to her so much.
Have you learned anything from working alongside Chelsea?
She’s always so busy on set so there isn’t too much time to chit chat. One thing she’s inspired me to do though is she’s really helped her friends out along the way. She always gives us cool, pretty expensive gifts every Christmas. She’s definitely a very generous person.
What’s your favorite part of performing stand-up?
Just the thrill of coming up with something in your head and then sharing it with the crowd and watching it really kill and watching them have a reaction and laugh at it. It’s pretty thrilling that something you thought of actually connects with other people.
Is this your first time in Cleveland or have you performed here before?
In 2010 I performed at the Improv. I didn’t get a chance to go around the city too much but I did get out on the lake, which is such a notorious lake. I always heard of it growing up. But it was actually really nice and some people took me around on a sailboat. I was actually impressed! I didn’t go in the water though so that might’ve changed my opinion. I’m hoping to see a lot more of the city this time and make a better assessment.
How would you describe your stand-up act to someone who’s never seen you perform before?
I would say it’s self-deprecating and very angsty and very aggressive, but I think ultimately fun and enjoyable. I talk about what bothers me but it’s also me making fun of myself and crazy shit I’ve gotten into. It’s a very high energy show. Ali Wong is also performing with me and she’s really high energy. It’s going to be very adult themed but a smart comedy show.
Any advice for people thinking of getting into stand-up comedy?
You have to really, really feel the drive to do it. And that’s the whole thing. If you have the drive you’ll force yourself to get on stage. There’s nothing to learn besides following your own instincts and following your own passions. And make sure you like living in hotel rooms.
Want to see Mo Mandel and Ali Wong perform live in Cleveland? Visit Pickwick & Frolic to purchase tickets to their shows. To check out Mandel’s comedy visit momandel.com.
