No limits for Cedric the Entertainer

Back for stand-up stint, Cedric rides range from film to TV to Broadway

By Mark Jordan

Friday, May 29, 2009

Even as a young stand-up comedian in his native Missouri, funnyman Cedric Antonio Kyles was always looking beyond the jokes. He adopted the stage name Cedric the Entertainer to best convey the spirit of his stand-up act, which was filled not just with hilarious bits but music and dancing.

These days the comic, who got his start on shows like "Def Comedy Jam" and catapulted to super stardom in 2000 as one of the "Original Kings of Comedy" alongside friends Steve Harvey, Bernie Mac and D.L. Hughley, is broadening the definition of "entertainer" even further. Already a star in television ("The Steve Harvey Show") and film (more than 30 movies, including "Barbershop", "Cadillac Records" and the Christina Ricci comedy "All's Faire In Love"), Cedric made his Broadway debut last fall. He also recently made his directorial debut and is developing a television series, a legal drama presently called "The Law."

Up next, however, is Cedric's long-awaited return to stand-up comedy. He performs two shows Sunday night at the Cannon Center. He spoke to The Commercial Appeal earlier this week from Los Angeles.

Q: So, what do I call you, Mr. Entertainer?

A: No you can just call me Cedric. My father is Mr. Entertainer.

Q: What can people expect from your new stand-up routine?

A: I'm having a lot of good times talking about everything from the new president to him beefing with Dick Cheney. He's got some static going on there, so that'll be a good time. And I still do a lot of dancing and singing in the show. We just have a good time on stage.

Q: Is it hard to develop a whole new routine?

A: It is in some ways. You've got to always work on it. The thing about developing new material is that it takes time to find out what's really resonating with the audience, and you've got to be able to try thing and take risks. That's kind of the process I'm in now. I have to kind of work it on the bigger stages.

Q: It must also be hard to get back to funny business so soon after the death of your friend and fellow King of Comedy, Bernie Mac?

A: This is the first time going out and doing some of the bigger markets since Bernie's passing. Just a couple of months before he started to get sick again, we were actually talking about redoing the Kings and going out on the road for a few shows.

Q: You recently made your Broadway debut in a production of David Mamet's "American Buffalo" with co-stars John Leguizamo and Haley Joel Osment. That must have been very different for you.

A: Yeah, I was just trying to stretch out. I wanted an opportunity to broaden my acting chops and do something a little more dramatic and thought the opportunity to do Broadway was something I couldn't pass up. As a live performer to say you've performed on the Great White Way is something I wanted at the end of my career to say I had done.

Q: You also recently wrapped your first film as director, "Chicago Pulaski Jones" with Kel Mitchell. What is it about?

A: It's a dance comedy. It's not as big and over the top as "Dance Flick" that just came out but its basically playing on that world. A choreographer comes from Chicago to Hollywood to make it big. His uncle gets killed and he has to avenge his uncle's death only to find out he can't fight unless there's music. So he has to learn the art of dance-fu. And I've got a cameo in there as a homicide detective who's afraid of dead bodies. It's silly and fun and we had a good time doing it.

Q: You've got your hat in so many arenas -- acting, producing, directing, stand-up. Do you prefer one to the others?

A: I'm just a person who really likes to entertain. The thing about stand-up is that it's immediate. You get an immediate response from it. But it is what I call a young man's sport. You kind of have to be always thinking of jokes and always trying to be on top of what's current every moment to be really good at it. So I'm definitely learning to grow in the writing aspect and producing and creating aspect of this business as well. So that leads you more toward TV and film. I like the idea of being able to develop a character in a movie and figure out what his journey is in this 90-minute film. But again you can shoot a movie in May and it won't come out until next May and you're like man, I could have thought of 19 things I could have done better.

Cedric the Entertainer with special guests J.J. and Milak S.

7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Sunday at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 N. Main St. Tickets: $59.50 and $69.50, available at the Cannon Center box office and through Ticketmaster. For more information, call 800-726-0915 or visit thecannoncenter.com.