Even with the chandeliers off in the Lankford Ballroom in the Student Union the room still looks fancy enough for a dance or a formal speech. As J.R. de Guzman took the stage on Saturday evening, he said it was too fancy for his act and felt as though he should be giving a TED talk instead.
During his act Guzman tried to not only be interactive with his jokes but most of jokes were sang and not told, most of the comedy was actually in song. Guzman stood on the stage with his guitar and sang songs about different jokes or different points he wanted to make.
Kinesiology sophomore Damante Turner said, “I thought he was amazing, I think I’ve seen him once or two on Comedy Central, and it was really amazing to just see him in person."
During the show his girlfriend, Chelsea Brown, came on stage to help with one of the songs. Brown said it was Guzman that got her into stand up but that also going to a few shows and conventions she learned she might want to pursue the career. Though she said she currently follows Guzman’s sets and performs at open mics, she isn't earning the money as a comedian yet.
“(Stand up is) a lot less stability, a lot more traveling, I worked a nine to five job and 40 hours a week (compared) to stand up that depends on when you a gig or not get one,” said Brown.
Currently, she enjoys spending her time helping people as a music therapist, but looks forward to creatively bringing light to necessary topics despite the lack of job security as a comedian.
Guzman sang his jokes instead of telling them; most involved messages about ridiculous racism and sexuality issues, poking fun at stereotypes. He tried to use the time to talk about racism and his own experiences. Of of his songs focused on people who are of a mixed race and how they shouldn’t be afraid of success.
“I’ve always been interested in stand up but they (UC Davis) offered a class on stand up comedy and that’s what really gave me the confidence because it was a safe environment to fail or bomb,” said Guzman.
By making fun of stereotypes, Guzman bonded with the crowd even by asking those within the audience if they had any similar experiences. This also was the time for Guzman to tell his story and to bring Brown onto the stage to tell her story about her own upbringing. Both Brown and Guzman are stand up comedians but they are using their jobs to be able to reach as many people as possible with a message of inclusiveness.
“Have two caps, that’s my advice, two hats one is for business and then a creative hat,” said Guzman. “Most people think it is one or the other, but I think it’s just different times, and you just have to think about (which to use).”
Nov. 13, 2017, 3:20 p.m. - Chelsea Brown's name was misspelled in the previous version of the article as Chelsie Brown. This has been corrected.
J.R. de Guzman sings comical songs that he makes up on the spot to give the audience a good laugh.
JR De Guzman sings comical songs that he makes up on the spot to give the audience a good laugh.
J.R. de Guzman sings comical songs that he makes up on the spot to give the audience a good laugh.
J.R. de Guzman sings comical songs that he makes up on the spot to give the audience a good laugh.
J.R. de Guzman sings comical songs that he makes up on the spot to give the audience a good laugh.
