Comedy Plus! The Undefined Jeff Bradley

[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=”410px”]EVENT: Jeff Bradley Comedy Plus! Standup+Stunts+Illusion, with special guest Mike Lagasse, singer and guitarist of St. Augustine’s Wild Shiners Band
DATES/TIMES: Thursday, December 1st at 8pm (Doors open at 7:30pm)
VENUE: Mudville Grille Listening Room, 3105 Beach Blvd.
TICKETS: $12, Reservations (suggested but optional)
CONTACT: flamusic@bellsouth.net[/box]

Variety Comedian Jeff Bradley will debut an action-packed, one-time Jacksonville performance featuring fantastic illusions, shocking stunts, and laugh-out-loud stand-up comedy. Bradley, reluctant to define his show, short of the name Comedy Plus!, explains the enigmatic nature of his variety act, “It has sometimes been a problem, trying to describe what I do. If your label is too long, it generally comes down to what made the biggest impression on them. After seeing my show, some people will call me a comedian; others will say magician or juggler.” Comedy Plus! will be performed one-night only on Thursday, December 1st at the Mudville Grille Listening Room in St. Nicholas, with special guest Mike Lagasse, singer and guitarist of St. Augustine’s Wild Shiners Band.

“There are only so many ways to pick a card or throw a ball in the air. But I try to make the way I do things personal to me and in ways that are new to the audience.”

Although now having performed all over the globe for over 25 years, Bradley’s journey into performance arts was a bit unorthodox. Bradley admitted to having no desire to be the center of attention in his younger years, describing himself as “quite shy.” “The idea of performing in front of people was possibly the hardest thing I could imagine doing. And that is what attracted me to it,” says Bradley. He found a unique avenue to the stage, appearing at open-mic nights and participating in acting, improvisational, voice and dance classes. He studied magic books, attended workshops, and trained with circus performers, including some from Cirque du Soleil. “Cirque [du Soleil] showed me that circus arts, such as juggling and balancing, could be beautiful and poetic, and in fact, art. Penn and Teller showed me that a simple card trick could be as large and theatrical as you wanted it to be. I came across these artists at an important point in my development as a performer, and they both influenced me in a way that brought a bit of sophistication and class to my performing,” says Bradley.

Exposure to a variety of theatrical techniques and interaction with world-class performers have molded Bradley into a well-rounded and imaginative performer. Bradley strives to perform unpredictable comedy, illusions and stunts that have never been seen before. “As a performer, your obligation is to your audience. To make them laugh or amaze them. But as an artist, your obligation is to be creative. I continue to challenge myself and strive to be both a performer and an artist,” explains Bradley. “There are only so many ways to pick a card or throw a ball in the air. But I try to make the way I do things personal to me and in ways that are new to the audience.” Bradley is excited to perform his show on a smaller stage of Jacksonville, allowing him to showcase his personal, conversational style via audience interaction. “I like to create an atmosphere for the show that is as comfortable as it would be in someone’s living room, and the more fun I have, the more fun the audience has.”

See Jeff Bradley at Mudville Grille on December 1st. Follow Jeff Bradley on Twitter, where he frequently posts instructions on his tricks: @jeff bradley, Instagram: @jeffbradley1 #34-30. For more information on Jeff Bradley, visit http://leehuntermusic.com/birdstale-artists.html. Find Comedy Plus on YouTube: jeffbradley.