Jeff Dunham, one of the top-grossing comedians and ventriloquists in the world, will be leaving audiences slap-happy with the sides of their tucklers split when he brings his absolutely hilarious stand-up act to NYCB Theatre at Westbury for a two-night stand this Thursday, August 14 and Friday, August 15.
One of Dunham’s most famous puppets is “Achmed the Dead Terrorist,” who is known for his catch phrase “I Kill You!” Achmed utters this when people do not follow his directions, provoking full-blown laughter from the audience.
Expect Achmed, along with a whole slew of other bizarrely infectious characters and voices throughout this special night of laughs. Will that curmudgeon Walter be there? What about José Jalapeño on a Stick? Will he make an appearance? Peanut? Bubba J? Little Ugly Jeff? Achmed Junior!?
Only one way to find out, folks. Only one way to find out.
Dunham hit the mainstream in 2006 when Comedy Central showcased his one-hour special, Arguing with Myself, which more than two million viewers enjoyed. That was followed by Spark of Insanity in ’07 and A Very Special Christmas Special in ’08, both which catapulted his career. By 2009 he starred in his own Comedy Central series, The Jeff Dunham Show, from October through December of that year.
He has come a long way from receiving a Mortimer Snerd dummy for his eighth Christmas—the gift that sparked his passion for ventriloquism. Soon enough, Dunham became glued to his dummy and began performing for anyone that cared to listen in his native Dallas, Texas. He gigged at local clubs and even shot commercials for a car dealership in high school.
His skits are unique in that every puppet has distinct characteristics, which allows audiences alike to relate to them. As his popularity grew he began to take larger risks. For example, when performing at a Dallas Cowboys function, Dunham openly mocked their praised, hall- of-fame quarterback, Roger Staubach and Jack Welch—the head of GE—at a General Electric show.
And he’s got plenty of comedic fodder to leave everyone in attendance resounding with uncontrollable, rolling bursts of laughter!
NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd, Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $59.50-$89.50. 8 p.m. Aug. 14; 7 p.m. Aug. 15
For future mind-blowing live performances at NYCB Theatre at Westbury, check out their page in the Island Ear!
