Ellington

• When: Thursday, January 17, 2013, 8 p.m.
• Where: UARK Bowl, Fayetteville
• Cost: Not available
• Age limit: Not available
• Categories: Comedy

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Fresh on the heels of a successful Fall Comedy Season featuring the likes of heavy-hitting comics such as Bobcat Goldthwait and Tom Green, UARK Bowl is proud to announce the kick off of its Winter 2013 Stand-Up Comedy Season with larger-than-life funny man and Arkansas native Ralphie May. The new season will officially open with a headlining performance by the colossal comedian on January 17 at 8pm. Since his debut on season one of Comedy Central’s Last Comic Standing, audiences can’t get enough of Ralphie May. Voted one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch,” May recently released his record-setting fourth one-hour special for Comedy Central titled Too Big to Ignore. On the small screen, he has worked as a writer and producer on ESPN’s Mohr Sports, participated in VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club, and performed stand-up on numerous late-night talk shows including four appearances on CBS’s The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as well as 11 appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He is also one of a handful of comedians to have received a standing ovation on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Born in Chattanooga, Tenn., and growing up in nearby Clarksville, Arkansas, May was one of four kids raised by a single mom. At the age of 17 he won a contest to open for his idol, Sam Kinison. He later moved to Houston to develop his comedy routine, at Kinison’s suggestion. “All the comics I’ve ever admired, whether it be Kinison, Lenny Bruce, Buddy Hackett or Richard Pryor, all share a commonality,” says May. “They’re a tour de force. When they speak, there’s no room for rebuttal. They’ve thought it all out. Even the pros and cons of their argument, they raise openly and debate in the midst of their conversation and it’s a beautiful thing to watch.” Like his idols, May is known for his no-nonsense point of view and the ability to connect with a diverse audience by pointing out society’s hypocrisies. He doesn’t shy away from touchy topics nor bite his tongue when society suggests, because he sincerely believes that as long as what he’s saying is true, people need to hear it. “We can’t wait for this show,” says UARK Bowl venue manager Sam Letchworth. “Ralphie May is one of the biggest names in comedy, if you’ll pardon the pun, and it will be great to see him on our stage. We’re really excited that he’s kicking off our new season. So come on in for some big laughs, and warm up with some of our drink specials!” Additional Winter Season shows will be announced in coming weeks. The new season will continue UARK Bowl’s focus on bringing top-tier, nationally touring comedians to Northwest Arkansas virtually every week on an ongoing basis. In addition, regularly scheduled ‘Open Mic Nights’ feature local comics from NWA’s emerging comedy scene. “UARK Bowl is proud to be the home of comedy in Northwest Arkansas,” Letchworth continues. “With our prime location on Dickson Street, it’s a great way to get the night started or have a laugh after dinner – and it’s without question that Ralphie May is going to bring the laughs! Tickets to the show would make great Christmas gifts, too.” Ralphie May is currently scheduled to perform one show on Thursday, January 17 at 8pm. Tickets for this season headliner show are $20 and are available for purchase online at uarkbowl.com.