It’s common practice for big-name bands, à la U2 and the Stones, to sell out stadiums not merely across North America, but on a worldwide scale, as well. When it comes to comedians, however, inherent subtleties of material or persona are often lost in translation. Chris Rock comes close to achieving global dominance, with Eddie Izzard right behind him. No. 3 with a bullet? Russell Peters.
The highly animated Canadian-Indian is no mere up-and-comer, but a seasoned Leno, Comedy Central, HBO, MTV, Showtime, and BBC vet whose 2006 debut CD/DVD, Outsourced, has moved more than 100,000 copies. He’s also brought his edgy, impeccably accented, cross-cultural quips and critiques to comedy festivals and clubs throughout China, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South Africa, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, and Greenland, to name a few. His latest DVD, Red, White and Brown, just dropped this week, coinciding with his headlining gig at the Tempe Improv.
Wed., Jan. 28, 8 p.m.; Thu., Jan. 29, 8 & 10 p.m.; Fri., Jan. 30, 8 & 10 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 31, 8 p.m., 2009
