Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Today’s edition is a stand-up show this weekend at the Mahaffey, starring Mike Epps and his merry band of comedians.
Hollywood hopefuls are expected to be a quintuple-threat these days: reality stars spawn their own shows, actors become singers and vice versa, pro wrestlers star on the silver screen – and the Governator, the ultimate celeb-gone-serious, who, after years of kicking bad-guy ass on screen has gone on to kick the crap outta California’s legislature. So it’s no surprise that stand-up comedian and Def Comedy Jam host Mike Epps has parlayed his “it’s not the beauty, it’s the booty” schtick into a legit movie career, with roles in everything from comedies that appeal to gurus of grass and connoisseurs of cannabis like Next Friday and How High, to family friendly fare like Dr. Doolittle 2 and Guess Who. One thing’s for sure, though: Epps leaves the kiddie stuff behind when he and his fellow funny men step onstage, so you’re sure to hear more about pimpin’ than pimples. Fri. Aug. 21, 8 p.m., Progress Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg, $42-$67, mahaffeytheater.com – Franki Weddington
This article appears in Aug 12-18, 2009.