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Brad Zinn, The Great Invoker of The Great Comedians
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Brad Zinn as Will Rogers
There are not too many men like Brad Zinn around these days. He is of a rare breed of enthusiast, something of a medium, who invokes the spirits of the greatest comedians of all time like no other. I have had the tremendous pleasure of watching this maestro weave his craft to an entranced audience twice, first in 2003 for a crowd of nearly a thousand near his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, and more recently at the McKinney Theatre at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. Brad’s exemplary tribute to “those felt hat and big cigar funny men” is akin to actually experiencing legends like Will Rogers take up rope and gum-chew his way through brilliant common sense right before you.
Prior to greeting his audience, Brad’s gifted and darling wife, Ms. Brenda gave a magnificent presentation of sand painting, a nearly-lost vaudeville art, where the artist tilts the canvas and stands behind it, etching out a scene as she tosses different colors of sand in an intricate pattern. In moments, the painting takes the form of an Arizona landscape or a touching image of the Twin Towers with the American flag waving proudly.
Brad followed his life mate of thirty-six years and took to the stage as himself. He bantered with the crowd as if they were old friends before bringing out his first guest, The Great Carnac, a character that Johnny Carson made famous on the Tonight Show, who predicted a question then would ceremoniously tear open and blow into an envelope before reading the corresponding answer. Donning a red bejeweled turban Brad’s uncanny enactment of Carson as Carnac set the evening’s tone for enchantment.
With each incarnation, Brad returned to his steamer-trunk to change his appearance, and rearrange his versatile hair for each distinguished guest (all on his own)! Zinn’s George Burns conjured up the great man of small stature with his ever-present cigar, round-rimmed glasses, and smoky-voiced delivery. George regaled his audience with stories of his vaudeville days and his life with beloved wife and partner, Gracie Allen. George Burns’ longtime friend, Jack Benny took to the stage next with violin and black frame glasses in tow. Brad relaxed his jaws and evoked Benny’s dry Illinois drawl and humor, while his out-of-tune instrument whistled Benny’s signature, “Love in Bloom.”
An evening of illustrious funny men would not be complete without the presence of the great WC Fields, with his juggling dexterity, top hat and bulbous snout, downplaying animals and children. As part of a musical tribute to his heroes, Brad brought back Jimmy Durante (“I got a million of ‘em”) and tramp, Charlie Chaplin.
When Brad slogged out as Ed Sullivan, contorting his shoulders and mouth to caricaturize the stiff television host, a roar of laughter filled the auditorium. Red Skelton, Brad’s favorite comedian, also delivered great mirth, until he recited his memorable and moving tribute to the Pledge of Allegiance with Old Glory proudly waving behind him.
Brad will appear on October 16th in Phoenix, to support the troops in a benefit for “Sealed with a Wish” http://www.sealedwithawish.org/. You can also find Brad Zinn on the web at his own hub, www.greatcomedians.net.
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