Comedian Ron James back where he belongs — bringing the laughs on stage

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The always ebullient and erudite  Cape Breton born, Toronto based comedian Ron James is excited to return to Lethbridge for two shows at the Yates Theatre, Nov. 22 and 23.

“ I’m doing Jim Dandy, I spent October in Nova Scotia ,”  enthused James from Toronto, where the first snow of winter is falling.

 

Comedian Ron James returns to Lethbridge next week. Photo Submitted

He is excited to be “Back Where I Belong”— on the road making people laugh all across Canada “from Cornerbrook to Courtney -Comox.”

 He always enjoys performing in Lethbridge.

 

“ I love Southern Alberta. I’ve been to Waterton and  the hoodoos, Writing on Stone Provincial Park. Audiences always come to laugh,” he said.

 

“ The last time I was here was 2018, I think and I heard the Yates theatre had just been renovated. And a lot has happened since then,” James observed.

 

He kept  busy during the pandemic doing a few online shows, working on a couple of television shows and completing his book.“All Over the Map.”

 

“I had to keep the muscle I’ve spent the last 25 years building and strengthening from travelling from Cornerbrook to Courtney-Comox, from atrophying,” he said.

 

The  paperback edition of Ron James’ best selling new book  “All Over the Map” was just released  on Nov. 1. The hardcover version was released last October and has done well.

“It was in the Top 50 between Steve Martin and Jerry Seinfeld,” he said.

“ It’s a love letter to all the people I’ve met and places I’ve seen. It’s not all satire, though there is some of that. My publisher (Doubleday and Penguin, Random House Canada) said not to make it funny on every page, but I think it’s funny on every page,” James said, adding he also recorded an audio book version of it.


He also recorded two shows online.

 

“It was an interesting experience. The ‘Hindsight is 2020 ’(special) got 3,700 views. We just Zoomed through them. It was very helpful to stay engaged,” he said adding he missed interacting with live audiences.

“ People are ready to laugh,” he continued.

 

 He is excited to be touring again with a mostly new show  “Back Where I Belong.”

 

“ It is mostly new. There are stories about mid life dating and airlines and a few older stories that  people want to hear,” he said.

 

He is hoping people will enjoy the show.

“A comedy show is a place for people to come and forget their worries for a while. People need to laugh,” he continued, adding he doesn't know how long he will keep touring as much as he enjoys the live experience.

 

 

“ I spent 25 years driving and living in hotels. This might not be the last tour, but it will be the penultimate tour,” he said.

 

 

Ron James performs at the Yates Theatre,Tuesday, Nov. 22 and Wednesday,. Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets  are $77.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor


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