Me encanta Los Comicos Super Hilariosos...

Is that even right?? I definitely don't know.

This Los Comicos was my third. And they always bring something to the table that makes me incredibly happy to be in Denver, Colorado. Pre-show, there were Facebook stirrings of a mysterious surprise that was in the works. I love me some suspense, so I followed that carrot all the way to the Orange Cat Studio doors. Where I paid the nominal $5 fee for entry and walked into a world of comedy deliciousness.

After three times at the Orange Cat, I've come to really appreciate the space. It's intimate without being too small. It's packed without being overwhelmingly crowded. The acoustics aren't blowing out my ear drums, and the audience is typically respectful and appreciative of the performers. Occasionally, someone heckles but not in a way that completely depreciates what is happening on-stage. Read my piece on Dave Attell for more on that subject, because my friends, it can get ugly.

Greg Baumhauer was our lovely emcee for the evening, and in his own Baumhauer-way he linked together the performances, lifted the elephants from the room, and brought his own brand of uncivilized humor that makes you feel like you're on the inside of the joke. The thing that I like most about Greg is that, whether the on-stage comic kills or bombs, he's got something to say either way. He's an equal-opportunity kind of asshole, and I can appreciate that in an emcee. In fact, I think it makes for the best kind.

Our first comedian of the eve was Denver's own Erik Anker. The kid is smart. Like the kind of smart that you and I might wonder what his brain looks like on the inside. Anker runs off the beaten path with a comedic gait that is both dry and cerebral. Rarely does he break into a smile but last night, I caught it a few times and so did the audience. His acknowledgment of himself was charming rather than ostentatious and that tiny bit of a break from the dry was actually highly effective. He was a great kick-off to the fun.

Our next comic of the night was Seattle's Lizzy Pilcher. Pilcher's comedy was a little more self-focused than observational, and she told stories that were self-deprecating and revealing to her own experiences. Her set felt a little bit unstructured and free-wheeling which I think took a bit away from the comedic dynamo, but she ended with a memorable story that slammed her biggest laugh of the night.

And then came the surprise. And 'twas a very jewy surprise. Visiting national headliner Moshe Kasher stopped in to deliver his style of indie comedy greatness to the Los Comicos stage, and greatness would be an apt word to describe the laughable goods. Kasher is on point. For every second of his set, his complete ownership of the stage married flawlessly with an unrelenting energy and quick-fire delivery. He played with the audience for the first few minutes in a way that only a true professional can, poking fun at the space, pointing out the obvious in a way that makes you understand why he's the comic and you're the audience. He then moved into a structured set that brought me a new type of appreciation for how much preparation it takes to be that good. Because he is that good. No bullshit. I'm gonna catch this guy along with some of our beloved Denver comics on Sunday night, so more to come on Kasher. I wont spoil it all here, but if you want to go and catch a great show, see Moshe and Denver pals on Sunday at 7pm. Comedy Works Downtown. 45 minutes of Moshe Kasher? Uhh yes please.

Next up, the soon-to-be-leaving-Denver Rob Gleeson. Rob has reached a few awesome milestones as of late. He will be graduating from the University of Denver and completing his college degree, and he was recently signed by New Wave Entertainment after winning the New Faces contest at the 2010 Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta, GA. The fresh-faced kid is a fireball of comedy, and he definitely was just that last night. Gleeson's funny work is created from a potent mixture of space utility, body language, and disciplined writing, and it comes across every time. Congrats on everything, Rob. Big things ahead indeed.

Jim Hickox was next in hitting the stage. In a way that was determinedly his own. Through the use of a laptop, a projector, and a large wrinkled sheet, he brought his Los Comicos set to the stage in a way that markedly unique from the typical stand-up scenario. He did stand-up via on-stage web-cam and intermingled it with funny bits that only the technology could have allowed him to get across. He caught some shit for using "crutches" but we all know Hickox can handle a mic on his own. This was a fresh and hilarious break from tradition. Plain and simple: it worked.

Headlining for the evening was Adam Cayton-Holland, a significant part of the backbone that makes up Wrist Deep Productions. There is something about the way that Cayton-Holland does comedy that doesn't pander to the audience. Instead, the audience panders to him. For some reason probably relating back to a feeling of subtle inferiority, you want to be Cayton-Holland's friend. The play within his comedy is that sometimes it feels very much within reach and other times, it doesn't. It's a fine line, and he manages it with the expertise of a professional tight-rope walker. As many times as I've seen him perform, there is constant flow and creativity within his sets. The same jokes work over and over again, the new jokes work too, and you can tell he believes in the art of his words. It's a dynamic experience, and one that rarely disappoints.

And that can be said about Los Comicos itself as well. The comedy comes across artfully, the venue is perfection for the moment, and the experience is one that is well worth the minimal entry fee for what you're getting.

Here's to the last Friday of every month. And the guys behind the show. Another Los Comicos well done.