The front row at a show looks the same to an inexperienced comedy show viewer…a couple of empty chairs in a straight-ish line parallel to the stage. It looks the same at a Montreal stand-up show…it could look the same at an English comedy club…and sometimes it may look the same at our Comedyville Club. But, when filled with a human butt (and body and all the other human parts), that unassuming chair can turn into a wild ride.
Sitting in The Front Row of a Comedy Show
So why should you sit in the front row at a show? Why do you sit in the front row of a rollercoaster? Why do people sit in the front row at a whale show at SeaWorld? The thrill! Staring at the back of someone’s head in the 5th row on a rollercoaster sounds fine, but kinda boring. Do you know what’s way better? Sitting in the front row and staring at the upcoming twists and turns that are going to bring you to the brink of blacking out.
Sitting in the 12th row at a Sea World show means you’ll see slivers of a massive whale in the spaces between all the heads in front of you. But in the front row, you’ll see an unobstructed view of a severely depressed whale coming down from an awesome jump into the air, splashing tons of piss-filled water into your face. Hey, as long as you consent, I’m not here to judge what kind of water you like splashed on your face. All of these experiences force you to face that potential threat of death in the face and say, “I’m not afraid of you.”
Should I still do it?
No, sitting in the front row at a comedy show will not whip your body around like a ragdoll or cause you to be covered in fish water but the thrill still exists. At any moment, one of the comics could start a conversation and put you on the spot. Now, everyone in the audience is waiting to hear your answer and watch the comedian spin it into gold (hopefully). And then, when the comedian moves on to the next audience member, you experience that rush of adrenaline. A wave of relief washes over you and it seems like the ride is done. Then, when you least expect it, they turn their attention back on you and the next big drop on the ride comes into view. It’s a vulnerable, exciting, and exhilarating spot to be in and not many have the stomach for the adventure.
Final Word
Sitting in the front row at a show is rooted in that animal instinct we all have to approach danger and come out the other side alive. It’s that kind of risk-taking that led Microsoft, a computer company, to create – arguably – one of the best video game consoles of all time, the Xbox. It’s risks that led Beyoncé to drop her self-titled album in 2013 without any prior promotion. And any time I hear the word ‘bee,’ I think of two things: Beyoncé and that horrible Bee Movie with Jerry Seinfeld. But it’s usually a 90/10 split. If you find yourself at a show in Montreal, Toronto, or even Newfoundland and you’re feeling up for an adventure, sit down in the front row and strap in.
Post by Jonathan Motney
Jonathan has been writing and performing comedy in the DFW area for over 5 years. He looks to continue contributing to the comedy world until he becomes unfunny due to age and/or fatherhood.
Post exclusively contributed to Comedyville.ca, All rights reserved.
The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author.
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