You might expect sad faces from Debi Durst and Johnny Steele.
杜斯特的丈夫和斯蒂尔的老朋友Will Dursthas spent most of the past two months in a hospitaldue to complications following an Oct. 7strokebefore a benefit performance at the Presidio Theatre.
它的助教kes about a minute before they find some comedy in the situation.
“Let me tell Will this: ‘Next time he doesn’t want to do a fundraiser for the San Francisco Mime Troupe, don’t take the gig!’” Steele bellows. “You don’t have to go to this extent.”
The humor is Will Durst’s wish, Debi Durst and Steele said during a visit to The Chronicle for a podcast recording for “The Big Event.” While the San Francisco comedian has canceled performances (and his Chronicle “Durst vs. Durst” column is on hiatus), he encouraged his wife and friends to continue their annual Big Fat Kiss Off Year End Comedy Show.
The ensemble show, in its 27th year, is expected to continue without its leader, with 10 shows in nine cities beginning Friday, Dec. 27, at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton, and endingJan. 5, at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco.
Year End Kiss Off regulars Debi Durst, Steele, Michael Bossier, Mari Magaloni and Arthur Gaus plan to return with a mix of sketches, improv and stand-up, with friends joining some of the stops along the way. Fill-ins include Diane Amos, Dan St. Paul, Larry “Bubbles” Brown, Michael Meehan and Barry Weintraub.
Debi Durst is grateful that most of the clubs were on board. The hope is that Will Durst, who is about to start rehab after fighting off an infection that required an extended ICU stay, could return next year.
“All of the different venues could have said, ‘Why don’t we just wait until next year?’” Debi Durst says. “You take a year off, people’s memories lapse, they forget. You have to keep going, keep the brand going, otherwise next year you’re starting from zero all over again.”
Debi Durst says the outpouring has been overwhelming, especially since a San Francisco Chronicle articleon Nov. 27made Will Durst’s condition public. The group’s Jan. 4 stop on the tour, the Raven Theater in Healdsburg, wrote a get-well message for Durst on the marquee.
“Everybody loves Will,” Debi Durst says. “We’re getting all these get-well cards saying, ‘We really need you, please come back!’”
Maybe next year.
For now, Will’s family and friends have the funny covered.
Big Fat Kiss Off Year End Comedy Show
Friday, Dec. 27:8 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave, Pleasanton. $20-35.www.firehousearts.org
Saturday, Dec. 28:8 p.m. Lesher Theatre, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. $31-$34.www.lesherartscenter.org
Sunday, Dec. 29:7 p.m. Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. $28-$35.www.rhythmix.org
Monday, Dec. 30:8 p.m. Coastal Repertory Theatre, 1167 Main St., Half Moon Bay. $30.www.coastalrep.com
Tuesday, Dec. 31:6 and 9 p.m. Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St., San Jose. $50-$70.www.tabardtheatre.org
Wednesday, Jan. 1:7:30 p.m.. 142 Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. $25-$40.www.142throckmortontheatre.orgm
Friday, Jan. 3:7 p.m. Pleasant Hill Community Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. $25-$30.www.pleasanthillrec.com
Saturday, Jan. 4:8 p.m. Raven Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg. $30-$40.www.raventheater.org
Sunday, Jan. 5:7:30 p.m. Cobb’s Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave., S.F. $20-$30.www.cobbscomedy.com