The Return of Worcester’s Wisecracker

By Jennifer Russo

You know if George Lopez goes to a comedy show and hand picks a guy off the stage to go on tour with him, that guy’s gotta be pretty funny. It happened for Dan Smith and it turned into one of the most amazing experiences of his career. He made his mark on the comedy circuit by performing for over 30 thousand people in the course of a week. And talk about special treatment, the “super funny and so cool” George decked out Dan’s dressing room with champagne and food his last day on tour ~ not too shabby for a Worcester native who had to be convinced by his college buddies at Northeastern to start his stand up journey, eh?

Dan has done numerous comedy stints and has written for successful TV shows such as “Blind Date” as well as provided hilarious commentary in US Weekly’s Fashion Police section. He’s befriended some of his comedy idols like George Lopez, Brian Regan, and the late Richard Jeni. He is most proud, though, of his series of tours overseas performing for the deployed troops. Coming from a military family, he feels that the majority of American citizens still don’t fully appreciate how hard the soldiers work He is restricted from making jokes about the President, religion and sexuality, but the troops seem to appreciate it most when he picks right on them, making his audience a part of the show.

Dan tells me that “It’s a little taste of home to have someone go there to perform for them and interact with them directly. They’re so happy when they realize I’m talking to them.” He’ll have another opportunity to reach out in a couple of months when he goes to Bosnia and Kosovo.

Before he does that, we will have the chance to spit our beer out of our nose right here in our backyard. This Worcester boy is coming home from LA with his family and using his business degree by kicking off a revolutionary idea: recognized comedians, classic 90 minute sets like you’d expect, but it’s all mobile. A comedy club on wheels, traveling to different existing businesses in the area providing tons of LOL opportunities to everyone around town. Dan has suitably named it Wisecracks and Jose Murphy’s will kick the comedy off every Saturday beginning Sept.18th. According to Dan, the shows will be more like theatre than a bar show, college friendly, linked to the WOO Card and appeal to a young crowd. When asked about why he chose Worcester to start this business venture he replied, “I love the people here and this is what I love doing…comedy in my own hometown important. My family has put a lot of themselves into Worcester and I’m proud of my city and excited to bring my own little piece of culture to it.”

To check out more on Dan, visit DanSmith.com. You can also read more about Wisecracks at WisecracksComedyClub.com. If you know of a venue in the area that you’d like to suggest Wisecracks visit, contact Dan there and let him know.