Laughter is on tap with Bobby Collins

Plays the Mayo Center Jan. 13 Morristown — Comedian Bobby Collins, a storyteller whose heartfelt humor engages audiences with a hilarious blend of characterizations to which most can relate, performs on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 at 8 p.m. at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $37-$57. Collins' humor involves mature themes and language. As one of today’s leading and most sought-after comedic talents, Collins shows people themselves. Bobby lives to make people laugh. From the moment he hits the stage, he connects with the crowd, gets into their mind and draws them inside his world. They willingly surrender to his energy and visual antics targeted directly at tickling their funny bones. And tickle them, he does. He holds up a mirror to each of us and helps us not to take ourselves so seriously. While half the audience is nodding in knowing approval from hearing him tell some of their favorite stories, and from seeing him on TV, many of the newbie’s are there because they’ve recently heard him on satellite radio. And it’s that enthusiastic fan base and the tremendous word of mouth buzz that sells out Collins’ shows. Comedy was Collins' destiny. He was named after his father's favorite comedian, Bob Hope. "I've never seen Bob Hope perform but when I was appearing in Philadelphia for the first time, a newspaper reporter from New York City caught my act and liked it so much he put me on the entire cover of the paper's weekend section. Lost in the cover’s corner was a tiny picture of Bob Hope," he said. "While I was visiting with friends at the club, a black limousine pulled up and the driver handed me a manila envelope. There was a signed photo of Bob Hope inside along with a handwritten note saying 'How dare you get top billing on a weekend' with a happy face drawn at the bottom.” The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South Street in Morristown. Go to www.mayoarts.org or call 973-539-8008 for more information.