John Pinette will present an evening of stand-up comedy at 8 p.m. April 13, in Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center). Tickets are $38.75 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 15. Tickets can be purchased at www.pullocenter.yk.psu.edu, The Pullo Center Box Office or by phone at 717-505-8900. The show is for all ages.
When describing his own stand-up, Pinette said “I talk about my life; it is the funniest thing I can think of.” His current comedy special “Still Hungry” debuted on Comedy Central on July 29, 2011, and was released on DVD in August. The food-obsessed, storytelling Pinette delivers smart, original, Bill Cosby-influenced observations on everyday life. “Still Hungry” is a follow-up to his successful “I’m Starvin’!” and “Show Me the Buffet” CDs and DVDs.
Pinette is no rookie to the stage. For the past 16 years, he has been in entertainment one way or another. Once he realized he could use his knack to make people laugh and turn it into a career, he left his job as an accountant and began touring comedy clubs around the country.
His caught his big break when he was asked to tour with Frank Sinatra and he has since become a regular guest on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “The View.” Most recently, Pinette came off the theatrical stage and to the stand-up stage after wrapping up his starring role as Edna Turnblad in the winning Broadway musical “Hairspray.”
His note-worthy accomplishments include being named Stand-Up Comedian of the Year by the American Comedy Awards in 1999 and he was also nominated for a Gemini Award for his television performance at The Montreal Comedy Festival in 2000. Pinette’s acting career includes roles alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in the movie “Duets,” Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Junior” and with John Travolta in “The Punisher.” He is experienced in both film and television, and has been featured in programs such as “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose” and starred as a car-jack victim in the final episode of “Seinfeld.”