Laugh Your Way Through "At My Leisure"
When you think of comedy
in New Orleans, what comes to mind? Get ready to add Felipe Esparza to that
list as he brings his "At My Leisure" tour to the Crescent City on
November 7. Known for his raw, real, and hilarious takes on life, Esparza is
set to deliver a night of laughter that only New Orleans can truly appreciate.
We caught up with Esparza to get the inside scoop on his upcoming show.
New Orleans is no stranger
to colorful characters and unique voices, but Felipe Esparza is about to add
his own spicy flavor to the mix. We sat down with the comedian to discuss his
tour, his connection to the city, and what audiences can expect from "At
My Leisure".
Editor's Note: The
following interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Where Y'at's Interview with Felipe Esparza
Where Y'at (WYA): Felipe, welcome to New
Orleans! How does it feel to be bringing your tour to the Big Easy?
Felipe Esparza (FE): Last time I was here was
back in 2012 to promote my first special. I remember trying beignets for the
first time and loving them. My teeth were stronger back then, you know? I'm not
gonna sleep till I can't get on my flight, so I'm gonna do it up. Oh, they're
gonna hear about me.
WYA: Your comedy often draws
from your Mexican American heritage. How has that influenced your material?
FE: Most of my comedy is
influenced by my Mexican culture and Chicano upbringing in America. I grew up
translating for my parents, which led to some funny situations that I
incorporate into my stand-up. It's all about that Mexican American experience.
WYA: You've had quite a
journey in comedy. How has your approach to stand-up evolved over the years?
FE: I've been doing this for
30 years now, but I'd say I've been successful since 2010 when I won Last
Comic Standing. I've built a great team around me, and we're always working
on new material and ways to connect with fans. Like, we put out videos and
memes every morning. Recently, a clip from my appearance on Superstore went viral when the Dodgers won the
World Series. It was later used it as a meme about trying to leave work early
for the Dodgers parade. It got 5 million views and brought in new fans who
didn't know my stand-up.
WYA: That's amazing! Speaking
of appearances, I loved seeing you on The Eric Andre Show. How did that
come about?
FE: Oh man, that's a funny
story. I'm a huge fan of Hannibal Buress and Eric Andre. I watched their show
religiously, trying to figure out the comedy timing. I wanted to be on it so
bad that I made an audition tape. Picture this: I'm in my hotel room, stripped
down to my underwear, standing next to a lamp, just flickering the light on and
off. I sent it to them saying, "Hey Hannibal, Eric, this is my audition
tape for the Eric Andre Show." Hannibal was down for it, but in the
end, Eric just picked me because he liked my stand-up. Either way, I got on!
WYA: Any exciting projects
you can tell us about?
FE: I've got a movie out
called Holy Cash where I play a parole officer. It's in select AMC Theaters
now. I'm also in a Netflix movie with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill—it's a small
part, but meeting Eddie Murphy was a dream come true. He actually called me a
"funny mother****er" when we met on set!
Get Ready to Laugh with Felipe Esparza
Don't miss this opportunity to witness the most hilarious night in New Orleans! Tickets for Felipe Esparza's "At My Leisure" at the Orpheum Theater are available now at orpheumnola.net/event/felipe-esparza-at-my-leisure-world-tour.
Book your seats today for
a comedy experience you'll be talking about for years to come! Your sides might
hurt from laughing, but your soul will thank you.
