We called comedy legend Steven Wright to ask him what else he had going on besides his upcoming national tour to support his new album I Still Have a Pony. I gotta put air in one of my bike tires, Wright said, then realized he had inadvertently answered the question. I dont know if you should put that in maybe you should. Its up to you, youre the one writing.
Wright was a pioneer in comedy in the 80s, known for his deadpan style, monotone voice and off-the-wall one-liners. He says it wasnt intentional; he speaks and acts the same on and offstage and says its always surprising to hear people talk about his style. I never even thought about it as a style, I just tried to think of a joke [people] would laugh at, Wright says. He says he never realized he was different until he read a review in a local Boston paper. It said abstract jokes, and I thought, Oh, abstract jokes, well geez, maybe they are abstract jokes, and He talks in a monotone voice the whole time. [I thought] A monotone? Do I talk in a monotone? Wright says. All through school, growing up in my family, in my neighborhood, Little League all that no one ever said: Hey, you know you talk with a monotone?
Wright will continue to try and make people laugh today after opening act singer/songwriter Ruth Gerson starts things off at 8 p.m. Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road, Stafford. For tickets and information, call 281-208-6900 or visit www.staffordcentre.com. $39.50.
Sat., Oct. 20, 8 p.m., 2007