11.29.09
Is It OK To Laugh?
Click here to watch JD\'s act!
My friend JD Sidley is co-founder of the Cleveland Comedy Kitchen and also the Cleveland Comedy Festival. Last year was the first Festival. Last year was also when JD was diagnosed with colon cancer.
This year’s festival was the first time I’d seen JD in over a year. As an honorary member of the Cleveland Comedy Kitchen (they allowed one woman in the kitchen), I was invited to perform with the group at the Festival.
I didn’t know what to expect.
JD is the grandfather of clean comedy in Cleveland (in my humble opinion.) Not only is he clean, he is clever, his material is very smart, and he ALWAYS gets a laugh.
“Would this time be different?” I wondered, as JD’s wife wheeled him into the room in a wheelchair. Should we laugh at his jokes? Or would that be rude? Should we be overly polite? Or would that be rude?
I have to admit that it was hard to see JD in a wheelchair. This was JD, the sometimes-mouthy, always-fearless leader of our group. The strong one, the anchor of our Kitchen team.
As I came offstage, I looked over at JD in his chair. All he did was nod and smile. I KNEW I was funny.
But would JD be funny? And should we laugh? How could he possibly be funny now, especially at such a trying time as this in his life? How? He did just as any comic–sick or well–would:
1. He stated the obvious. Mentioned his cane, his shortness of breath. His chemo and doctor visits.
2. He made us comfortable. We didn’t have to worry about JD. His material told us that he is coping with his situation. And he invited us to cope with it with him.
3. He reminded us that it is possible to overcome even a tragedy such as his–as long as we can make ourselves laugh.
Click the above link to view JD’s act.
If you want to see more of his act, just go to www.YouTube.com/cleanatrina
And remember: Yes, it is OK to laugh! Thanks, JD.
