
DATE: Thursday, May 15, 1997                TAG: 9705140134

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   78 lines

COMEDY COMES TO SHUCKER'S R. BRUCE BRINGS HIS SHOW, ``MAKE FLORIDA YOUR LAST STOP ON EARTH'' TO THE CLUB TONIGHT.

``Make Florida Your Last Stop On Earth.''

R. Bruce explains - ``Welcome grandma. Welcome gramps. Bring those walkers, we've got ramps.''

We've got comedy in Suffolk.

Shuckers is the place.

``We've been in business three and a-half years - never tried comedy before,'' said manager, Mike Justin. ``I've been to comedy clubs many times at the beach. I think Suffolk could use something like this.''

Initially, it is a once-a-month offering, on the third Thursday of each month.

``If it works well,'' Justin said, ``we'll continue it.''

So, if anyone is complaining that there is not enough laughter in Suffolk .

Shuckers is going after the classy laugh-getters, the tried `n true performers, many of whom are comedy regulars on television.

Cheril Vendetti, for instance.

She will be on hand June 19.

Vendetti, a Clio Award winner - that's for commercials - has performed on The Today Show, and Comedy Central.

Dan Davidson, her opening act, has performed at The Improv.

Bruce, a Hampton native, who will be at Shucker's tonight, has been touring the comedy club circuit for five years, and is currently working on his second CD, appropriately called, ``Still Laughin.' ''

``I'm real happy with the songs,'' said the artist, who writes 'em and sings 'em. ``Lyrically, it's some of my best work. And, I like the simplicity of the production.''

His songs include ``Dysfunctional Family Reunion,'' ``It Must Be Love, Or We'd Have Killed Each Other By Now,'' ``Too Much Butt For One Pair Of Jeans,'' and the biggest surprise, ``I Love My Wife.''

Bruce's first, and only single, ``Let's Give Virginia Back To the Indians,'' got some regional play in 1978.

``It didn't exactly bring me stardom,'' said Bruce, who began tickling the public's funny bones in coffee houses when he was 16.

Some of his me-and-my-guitar act, which is often autobiographical, has been played on the internationally syndicated, Dr. Demento Show.

``I do comedy about trying to quit smoking, about my dog, things in my life,'' said Bruce, who lists George Carlin, Jonathan Winters and Bill Cosby as his inspirations.

One of the least inspiring moments of his life, could make a funny routine.

``I used to work for the Dy-Dee Diaper Service,'' Bruce said. ``My job was to count soiled diapers.''

For real!

Soiled diapers are about as nasty as Bruce gets. Mark his clever routines, PG-13.

All of the cuts on his albums, save one, can be played on the radio.

He sells them on his web site, via mailing lists, and at his concerts.

``If I could be anything,'' Bruce said, ``I'd be like a funny Bob Dylan.''

Like that folk artist, he offers songs that are a mix of country and rock, debuting many of them at home.

``My wife claims that if I think of something truly funny, I have to say it, even though it's inappropriate,'' Bruce said. ``I consider that a talent, she considers it a handicap.

``Off stage, I'm basically shy, but my humor mind goes 24 hours a day,'' he said, adding, ``I get paid for being silly.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Hampton native R. Bruce has been touring the comedy club circuit for

five years, and is working on his second CD, ``Still Laughin.' ''

Graphic

ABOUT THE EVENT

WHAT: Singer-songwriter-comedian, R. Bruce.

WHEN: 8:30 tonight.

WHERE: Shuckers, 425 East Pinner St.

COST: Admission is $5.

FOR INFORMATION: call 934-2822.