ENTERTAINMENT LAS VEGAS 23

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FROM PRETEND TIME
TO THE BIG TIME
NICK SWARDSON MAKES HIS ACES OF COMEDY DEBUT
By Heather Turk
Since premiering in 2010, The Mirages Aces of Comedy series has attracted
some of the biggest names in comedy performing in the 1,265-seat Terry
Fator Theatre including Jay Leno, Ray Romano, Jim Gaffgan and Daniel
Tosh. Comedian Nick Swardson is one of the newest additions to this years
all-star lineup, which seems ftting given his background.
Its funny, cause I started out in comedy with Jim
and Dan, so I consider them brothers, Swardson,
who performs March 28, told Sunseeker. Jay I
consider my dad and Ray my trainer.
Best known for his roles in such flms as Just Go
with It as well as for co-creating and starring
in the Comedy Central series Nick Swardsons
Pretend Time, Swardson promised fans a fun
show for his Aces of Comedy debut.
I treat [stand-up] very intimately, he said. I
talk to the crowd like I do my friends cause I
consider them my friends. Teres no ego. I do
wear a diamond football helmet, though, and
talk about my bank account every fve minutes.
Currently busy working on the new FX animated
series Chozen, one may wonder what draws
Swardson and many of his Aces of Comedy
colleagues back to the stage given all of their
success in television and flm. For Swardson, its
all about the live aspect.
Writing a joke and doing it that night, getting
that immediate feedback. When you shoot a
movie, you have to wait a year to see if people
like it, Swardson explained. Its also my fans;
theyre the best. And they put a bottle of water
on the stage. Who wouldnt want a free bottle of
water? Its a no-brainer.
While Swardson may be excited about Chozen,
when asked if he would ever consider doing another
sketch comedy series, he quickly replied, No.
It was really intense, he stated. It was a dream
to do, and Im so proud of it and thank the
people that supported it, but noI want to star
in a reality show about napping.
In addition to Swardson, the March/April
Aces of Comedy lineup includes such hilarious
performers as Ray Romano on March 1, Ron
White from March 7-8, Kathy Grifn on March
15, Daniel Tosh from March 21-22, Kevin James
and Ray Romano from April 4 and 6, Jef Ross on
April 5, Wayne Brady on April 11, Jay Leno on
April 12 and Gabriel Iglesias from April 18-19.
For more information, visit mirage.com.
Nick Swardson makes his Aces of Comedy debut March 28
Daniel Tosh returns March 21-22 as
part of The Mirages Aces of Comedy series