Entertainer Wayne Faust is a funny guy
by Phyllis Bator
Marco Island Sun Times
Monday night isn't usually the
best night to review an entertainer. But I hit the jackpot this time. Wayne
Faust, a music/comedy/improvisation act at Off the Hook Comedy Club was more
than a pleasant surprise.
Starting the show at 7:30 PM, which is the dinner hour, Faust
didn't have to worry about catching everyone's attention as comedians do. But
when I say he had the audience in the palms of his hands, he had no problem
having the audience participate in a number of things on stage. The restaurant
was packed with dinner and bar customers and Faust had everyone laughing.
Basically he played guitar and sang songs, usually with his
own lyrics that were very funny. He also had a joke for every state in the
country. But he also talked to the audience and remembered their names and where
they were from. He was incredible as an entertainer and had a personality that
just made you want to pay attention whether you were eating or not.
Since he's bald, he called two men on stage to help him sing
"Bald Guys Are Getting Hip." They were a hoot.
Faust has amazing control over the people he gets to come on
stage - and doesn't have a problem getting them to come up either. One woman,
whose husband had sung "Bald Guys," decided she wanted to dance on the stage and
so she did and kissed Faust when the song was over. Everyone applauded.
Faust also got a family of about six children from
Connecticut to sing. They passed the microphone to each other. What a great time
they had.
Faust did a Willie Nelson gig with the famous braids,
headband and songs, but of course, changed the lyrics to very funny ones. He
also brought the audience back to old TV show theme songs.
Having written lyrics about England to the tune of "Downtown"
and calling it "Mad Cow," he encouraged everyone to join in. Guitar strumming
seldom stopped even while talking and telling jokes.
He has an amazing repertoire, a fabulous memory, and is an
all-around clean-cut talented entertainer.
This is one entertainer who can hold an audience together who
may not know each other, but by the end of the evening, everybody's a friend.
Faust then switched to the banjo and played my favorite,
"Dueling Banjos," with the help of Sven, a two-foot Viking made out of wood,
holding a guitar. Sven was cute, but the banjo playing was excellent even though
we know the guitar was on tape. It was well worth it.
I must commend the audience because they were very receptive
and just went right along with Faust. That's also an accomplishment on Faust's
part because he knows how to rein them in. It's not easy trying to eat and laugh
hysterically at the same time, but Faust can do that to you.
And then, to top it off, Faust did some on-the-spot
improvisation. This guy makes up whole songs on the spot, based on subjects
shouted out by audience members. His quickie compositions were hysterical and
amazing at the same time.
Faust will be at Capt. Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, April 23, 24, and 25 from 7:30 PM.