What to expect from comedian Shawn Wayans' upcoming Louisville show

You may know him as “DJ SW1” on the iconic American sketch comedy show, "In Living Color," or from roles alongside his brother Marlon Wayans in movies like "White Chicks," "Little Man," and the "Scary Movie" franchise.

Shawn Wayans may be most famous for his television and movie roles but he's also a stand-up comic who has never performed in Louisville and isn't quite sure what to expect.

"I think I'll get myself a great big Derby hat and walk around the city between shows," Wayans told The Courier Journal.

His inaugural stop in Louisville, in what has been a storied career, brings Wayans' national headlining tour to the Louisville Comedy Club, 100 W. Main St., from Sept. 9-10.

"Stand up is the most liberating of all the things I do," Wayans said. "You get to say what you want, do what you want and there is nobody at the top telling you what you can and can not do. It's the freest artform."

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He's a funny man from a funny family comedy empire. If you work in Los Angeles and your last name is Wayans, people will expect you to make them chuckle.

And for good reason. There are now two generations of Wayans in television, movies, and performing live on stage. Shawn Wayans' siblings include Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Kim Wayans and Deidre Wayans.

Of the second generation, Damon Wayans Jr., who is known for "New Girl," "Big Hero 6," "Let’s Be Cops," and "Happy Endings" may be the most famous of the Wayans but his male and female cousins are also making a living as actors, comedians, models and writers.

Thanks to his close-knit and creative family, Shawn Wayans was able to continue to create during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. At a time when comedy clubs were shut down, Wayans always had an audience of family members ready to critique his comedy set. The result of those family sessions is a big part of what he'll bring to the Louisville stage.

"There are some stories about my family, but mainly they are stories about me, after all, it's my show," Wayans said. "I’ll share my point of view on the world, my point of view of life, my point of view on things that happen."

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While in Louisville, Wayans will perform two shows a night, at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. A double billing, like his shows in Louisville, is a routine he's perfected over the years.

"The tricky part is you do the first show and you get your serotonin buzz from doing the show, then you come down from that, then you have to do it all over again," Wayans said. "I've learned you ride it out when you do two shows in a night. You get your buzz, come down, relax, shut your mind down, eat something, then get your mind ready to do it all over again."

Wearing that big fancy Kentucky Derby hat he spoke of, or not, Wayans tells The Courier Journal he's more than ready to bring the laughs to Louisville at all four of his shows this month at the Louisville Comedy Club.

"When you stand up in front of an audience you have never met before and make them laugh and enjoy themselves, it feels amazing," the comic said. "I get a little high from a good show. It makes me feel good."

Reach reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

Shawn Wayans Comedy Tour

WHERE: Louisville Comedy Club, 110 W Main St.

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sept 10, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

TICKETS: General Admission: $30, Premium: $45

MORE INFORMATION: louisvillecomedy.com, 502-795-1919

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Comedian Shawn Wayans brings national tour to Louisville Comedy Club