Mom Always Like Them Best

One of the things about my job I like best is working side-by-side with so many talented people. One of our greatest talents is actor, playwright, and resident oddball Jerry Sims. Jerry not only serves as our House Events Manager, he also writes and directs many of our ASC Kids’ Club productions. His shows have included “Alice’s Tea Party,” “Christmas Comes to Mugwumpville,” and this season’s upcoming masterpiece, “A Dickens Vest Pocket Christmas Carol.”

In this blog, Jerry weighs in on the legendary Smothers Brothers comedy duo and the influence they’ve had on generations…

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As a teenager I eagerly awaited The Smothers Brothers show each week. I come from a family of disparate political views and outlooks towards life. The Smothers Brothers provided common ground for all of us. They were funny. Yes, they taught me that it was all right to question the norm and look at politics and life in general from something more than a singular, polarized point of view. But in doing so, they were funny. Their rooted influence includes such great American humorists as Mark Twain and Will Rogers. Their legacy of influence may be found in contemporary entertainers such as John Stewart and Lewis Black. Everyone may not have agreed on every message their rants and rages contained, but if you had a sense of humor at all, you had to agree that they were funny.They gave us the likes of musicians such as Richie Havens, Buffalo Springfield and Mason Williams (who wrote CLASSICAL GAS as well as Tommy's signature song, THE YO-YO MAN).

Any contemporary comedian of note graced their show, and a few lesser known comedians provided a somewhat obscure format for laughter. Who can forget "Pat What's His Name" and his perennial candidacy for president, or the "Share a Little Tea with Goldie Lady?"

Comedy is complex. A simple breakdown is that one either laughs at or with performers.

With the Smothers Brothers, you did both.

Mom was right.

Jazz guitarist and vocalist John Pizzerelli performs first, then the Smothers Brothers take the stage on Sunday, November 23rd. 

You can experience the next original production written by Jerry Sims: “A Dickens Vest Pocket Christmas Carol” on December 7th. Kids will love this show! Tickets are just $7.