The dichotomy of Danny Bevins

It is a Thursday night at Comedy Off Broadway in Lexington, KY when Danny Bevins takes the stage. He seems to have the confidence of a man who has been performing stand up comedy for 20 years. However, immediately into his first set of jokes his posture betrays that confidence. He grips the microphone with both hands and closes his arms together in a defensive stance. He opens by talking about how he was an accidental pregnancy and a contemplated abortion. This is a heavy topic to unleash on an unsuspecting crowd that has yet to know much about Danny. He is self-deprecating, frank and matter-of-fact, yet somehow we can all identify with the struggles of a young Danny.

Only a few minutes into our journey into Bevins' twisted psyche something remarkable happens. His material goes from the soul-bearing introspection of his childhood and personal life into discussions of religion and government. But not only does his material change, but his posture does as well. Somehow, switching gears from the autobiographical to the observational material also triggers a switch in his stance. Now, the microphone is held in one hand, near the ball at the top; the cord is pointed up in the air a la Robert Plant in the middle of Kashmir. This is rock star Danny. This is a man who knows what he wants to say and doesn't care whether it's right, wrong or even acceptable. It is that dichotomy in the man and the material that makes him interesting and engaging to watch.

Religion and politics are hard sponges from which to wring laughter; so much so that many comedians either shy away from it altogether, or they feel they have to temper their political admonishments with attacks on both sides of the aisle. Not because it is what they feel, but because they don't want half of the audience to check out half-way through. Danny does no such dance. He knows it is his opinion and that others may not accept it, but that's okay with him.

One of the lines Danny uses in his act is "If you can make the right people laugh, you can say anything you want." That is a poignant statement in a time where expressing ones controversial or provocative opinion can cause repercussions that are felt through all facets of ones life. Risking exposure of ones true inner thoughts can be dangerous for the ego and the wallet. It isn't clear if the "right people" were in Lexington, Kentucky on this particular Thursday night, but it is clear that they laughed. And that is saying something.