Pablo Francisco: Man Of Many Voices
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Comedian Pablo Francisco will bring his relaxed style and spot-on impressions to The Paramount in Huntington next Friday.
By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
Comedian Pablo Francisco discovered his talent for impressions in third grade when he would impersonate his friends’ parents.
Francisco, who has since been featured in Comedy Central specials, “MADtv”, and “The Three Amigos,” is bringing his wide range of character impressions and original comedy to Huntington next week.
Francisco, 44, said he first began to pick up his impressions by watching actors on television in Arizona, where he grew up.
“I’d mimic impersonations and learn by watching TV,” Francisco said. “It started getting pushed into a hobby of comedy that basically turned into a career.”
Francisco said he first realized that he could make a living through stand-up comedy and his impressions after he got “fired from Domino’s pizza, in a good way” and had to make some money.
A friend offered him $200 for a 10-minute stand-up set at a local bar, Francisco said, and his goofy style and impressions garnered some good laughs from the audience.
“It was still just a hobby,” he said. “But when I realized that the money gets paid right there and you’re having fun that’s when I said, ‘Maybe this possibly could happen.’”
Current events and things in everyday life that “bug you” provide a solid foundation for many of Francisco’s jokes, but the comedian said he tries to say away from the “vicious circle” of political jokes.
The veteran comedian said he still feels eager to get on stage before every show. Francisco recalled a moment when he was backstage before a show with Carlos Mencia when Mencia said, “Boy, every show feels like the first time.”
Francisco replied, “Yeah, but this time we’re not nervous we’re just eager to get on stage.”
That eagerness shines through in Francisco’s live performances, which almost always feature his favorite impression of Don LaFontaine, better known as the Movie Preview Guy.
Francisco said he tries to create a bond with the audience at every live show in order to achieve a relaxed environment in the venue.
He said, “I like that after the wedding kind of vibe… I want to make sure there’s a no work tomorrow feeling in the room.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. for Francisco’s 8 p.m. show at The Paramount on Friday, March 30. Tickets are $20-$50 and can be purchased at the box office or online at Paramountny.com.
