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 Patrice
Oneal
Patrice O'Neal grew up in
Roxbury, MA across the street from the projects. Even though the buildings on
both sides of the street were brick and looked just alike, Patrice and his friends
let the kids from the projects know the distinction - Patrice's and his friend's
buildings were privately owned and they took pride in that. The pickup football
games became "Projects vs. Private Property" - the trash talking that
went on during those games honed Patrice's early comic sensibility. In high school Patrice's
talent in football was recognised and he was recruited by the coach at Mortheastern
University. But Patrice hated playing football... he really wanted to be a comic.
And so it was. He attended Northeastern University, but studied thatre arts.
He never played football again. Patrice got his forst real
tatse of standup at a place called "Estelle's" in Boston, where he
heckled a comic. The comic suggested maybe Patrice thought he could do better.
Patrice did - the following week, Patrice went up at the club abd brought down
the house. From there he went on to work at The Comedy Connection and then moved
to working at most of the clubs in and around Boston, New England and New York. Now, years later, Patrice
has a wide range of comedic tools - from whispers and tiny facial expressions
to animated movement and shouting. In one bit, Patrice at 6'5" and 300+
lbs, makes the audience hear and almost see the story of an eastern gymnast
quietly speaking of her difficult upbringing and training. The Boston Globe
said, "It is a hilarious piece, made all the more so by the contradiction
between Oneal's very visible presence and that of the tiny, toung white girl
he is playing". Asked to whom he aspires,
Patrice mentions only two names: George Carlin and Richard Pryor; Carlin for
his distinct point of view and universal appeal; Pryor for his honesty, vulnerability
and personal revelation. Patrice has appeared on
many many TV shows in the USA, and will be appearing on the Comedy Factory for
Dutch TV. He is making his debut appearance at this year's Edinburgh Fringe
Festival and is set to become one of the regular visitors to the UK Comedy Circuit. Patrice currently makes
his home in New York Coty.
"If I had to pick
a breakout star of the future, I'd put my money on Patrice Oneal ... hilarious
... perfect timing."
-
Boston Phoenix
Patrice Oneal is killing.
The packed house at the US Comedy Arts Fetsival is rolling with laughter as
Oneal punctuates the smokey air outside the Aspen Sports Club with a delivery
as crisp and clear as the Rocky Mountains just beyond the door."
-
Michael Blowe, The Boston Globe.
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