Stepping up from Stand-Up

In the arena of comedy, he is regarded as the go-to guy for
physicality.

His bragging rights extend to being chosen as the “Coolest
Comic of 2003″ by Stuff Magazine. In movies, he celebrates a
more obscure celebrity status. But if things go his way, Dane Cook
hopes to find himself a household name among moviegoers, while
still doing stand-up.

Cook will open for Ray Romano and Kevin James in the upcoming
Comedy Rx Benefit show in Royce Hall this Saturday. While
he’s not as accomplished as the show’s headliners, his
presence signals his status as a performer who hopes to follow in
the footsteps of other comedians who have successfully made the
transition from the stage to the camera.

Like Romano and James, comedians in the circuit are finding
their creative extensions in film and television. Although Cook has
headlined at many of the country’s most prominent comedy
clubs and has made countless appearances on the “Late Show
with David Letterman” and “Tonight Show with Jay
Leno,” Cook sees his move to movies as natural to being a
performer.

“My first love will always be stand-up, after all it has
gotten me to where I am today,” Cook said. “But as a
performer, you are always trying to outdo and extend yourself; the
more uncomfortable the situation, the better the end
result.”

Though one could argue that stand-up is, in a way, acting, Cook
describes the two forms as “completely different
beasts.” On stage, comedians have to be able to touch the
front row and the back of the room equally. This requires a much
more physical presence, whereas in movies, Cook finds that subtlety
is the key.

Also in stand-up, comedians are largely responsible for the
whole show; this ranges from the content to the lighting. If
something goes wrong, it is not the promoter or venue that is
blamed, but the comedian.

“Being a comedian, you play all roles, from the fire
marshal to the bouncer. You are essentially the center of
energy,” Cook said. “Whereas in acting, a lot of the
big things are left out of your hands, which is a nice
change.”

The fact that more players are involved in movies however, does
leave less room for self-autonomy and control. Cook, however, is
able to view this in a positive light.

“It is nice to see something being taken from point A to
point B as part of a group effort,” Cook said. “At
least it’s nicer than seeing it all fall flat right before
your eyes on stage and suddenly everyone wants their money
back.”

The fact that Cook has yet to experience the favorable reception
that Romano has received in television just goes to show how hard
the transition from stand-up to Hollywood can be. Cook’s
movie credits include minor appearances in “Mystery
Men” and several high-profile movies yet to be released,
including the “The Touch” and the Farrelly
brothers’ “Stuck on You.”

The jury may still be out, but looking at Romano and James as
models, Cook hopes his recent film roles will bring him similar
success.

The second-annual Comedy Rx Benefit show will begin at 8
p.m. this Saturday in Royce Hall, featuring Dane Cook, Kevin James
and Ray Romano. Contact the Central Ticket Office at (310) 825-2101
for more information.