Faraway from the limelight of Hollywood and the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas strip, the Comedy and Magic Club (Club) in Hermosa Beach has served as the launching pad for many of the top comedians since 1978 and it continues to host the best nationally and internationally known comedic talent around.

When asked how the Club has been able to maintain its reputation as one of the top comedy venues in the nation, Richard Barrett, Entertainment Director for the Club, sums it up, “It’s all about relationships!”

The key to this relationship begins with the Club’s 250 seat showroom. Barrett exclaims, “There are few places where the audience feel this the sense of intimacy and proximity to our entertainers that our showroom can provide. You can truly feel the energy in the room as the entertainers connect with the audience. This connection brings an unpredictable facet to each performance, and it can lead to some very special moments.”

Knowing that the Club’s savvy audiences have high expectations, Barrett strives to fill the night’s performance bill with comics and other entertainers that will please the most difficult to please audience member.

In the early years of the business, Barrett and others in similar positions would rely on word of mouth when it came to seeking talent to take center stage. Comedy clubs would book acts. We relied on recommendations from other clubs, comics, and other industry connections.

Nowadays with his 28 years of experience, on days the Club is open, Barrett spends a portion of his work day watching the acts in the showroom and talking with the performers after the stage has gone black. The other portion of his day, he no longer depends on consulting with others about potential acts, but instead he spends his time reviewing social media sites such as You Tube or watching comedy specials or other television shows searching for potential talent.

But, when it comes to booking new entertainers at the Club before taking center stage, each one is required to submit a five minute recording of a recent performance for review.

Barrett explains, “What really sets the more successful comics apart from the field is their charisma and relatability. If the comedian can master these traits, they can create an almost instant connection with the audience. Once that connection is established this puts the comedian and the audience at ease which allows the laughter to naturally come out. And laughter is contagious. It’s difficult to sit quietly while the people around you are continually laughing.”

Entering the Club’s office space and walking down the hallway leading to the Green Room and the back stage area, you are stopped by the countless number of 8x10 photos and signatures of the Club’s past performers that line the walls.

The photos include David Letterman, Bill Maher, Garry Shandling, Gabriel Iglesias, George Wallace, and Aresenio Hall. Signatures include Steve Allen, Norm MacDonald, Tom Dreesen, and Jerry Seinfeld.

In addition to providing a spot for the new comics to take the stage, the Club has developed an illustrious list of alumni comedians who occasionally return to the Club to try out new material or sometimes just to get in front of a live audience again.

Barrett explains that for comedians like Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, stand up comedy is not a hobby or job, it is actually who they are. They love getting in front of a live audience and interacting with them. For them, the Club is an ideal location, its small and away from the limelight of Hollywood or Vegas and the audiences are always welcoming.

In some cases, a comedian will call Barrett and say that they will be in town on a certain date and ask if he can make space on the Club’s schedule. For others, they may call and say they have some new material, and they want to test it out. Barrett shares that it is the Club’s policy is that they will not publicize the booking in any way including not telling the performers on the bill that night who the special guest is.

In one circumstance a young comedian was looking forward to his first booking as a headliner. Barrett contacted the performer and told him he would not be closing the show that evening because they had a special guest coming in that night. Upset over the news, the comedian continually pressed Barrett to reveal the identity of this special guest. Barrett held to his policy and refused to disclose any information about the special guest. The would be headliner arrived at the Club still upset and again tried to pry the information out of Barrett. It was not until the special guest arrived at the Club that Barrett disclosed that the special guest was Robin Williams to the inquisitive performer. Visibly surprised and thoroughly delighted, the headliner revealed that he idolized Williams and was truly honored to meet him.

Although guests such as Williams do not regularly appear at the Club, former Tonight Show Host and audience favorite, Jay Leno, regularly takes to the Club’s stage. Barrett is quick to discount the rumor that when Leno was an up and coming comedian, he signed a lifetime contract to play the Club two Sunday’s a month for $75 per performance.

However, Barrett is quick to admit that Leno is truly among the Club’s most loyal supporters. Leno’s relationship began in the early stages of his career and met the Club’s owner, Mark Lacey. Barrett explains that Leno and Lacey seemed to immediately hit it off and the relationship has continued from there and the rest is part of the Club’s amazing history.

Barrett states that during COVID, Leno and other comedians became increasingly anxious the longer the shutdown continued. For comedians like Leno, they did have some income streams, so money was not an issue, but they really missed performing before a live audience.

When Leno heard the shutdown was drawing to a close and places were reopening, contacted Lacey asking when the Club would be reopening. At first there was no definite word, so Leno kept asking for updates. During one conversation Leno insisted that he be the first performer once the Club was allowed to reopen. When Lacey contacted Leno with the reopening date on a Sunday night, Leno happily took to the stage to the delight of the audience, Club staff and, of course, Leno.

Barrett explains that Leno truly loves his experiences at the Club and appreciates any time he can spend with his audiences and is always willing to talk and sign autographs for audiences following his show.

Barrett feels the Club’s continued success centers around respect and appreciation. This philosophy extends to each component of the Club’s operation, the audience, entertainers and staff members.

Barrett has worked at the Club for 28 years and his assistant has been at the Club 10 years. Barrett sums it ups by saying, “It’s fun.” He attributes the comedic atmosphere that carries over to the entire operation and it is difficult to match in any other work setting.

As far as the audience goes, Lacey, Barrett, and Club staff strive to provide guests with an experience that cannot be duplicated at such an affordable price. The guests often come to the Club to celebrate birthdays, engagements, anniversaries and other special events. The Club also supports fundraising events for community and other non-profit organizations. Barrett constantly reinforces that the audience is why we exist, and we want them to know that we truly appreciate their support.

Lastly, the Club provides an experience for the entertainers that is largely unmatched in similar clubs. Barrett points out that the entertainers truly appreciate the Green Room. The Room is a space that allows all the entertainers on the bill that night an opportunity to share ideas, discuss material and seek suggestions. Also, entertainers are allowed to order anything on the menu. Barrett explains, “We don’t serve them bar food. They can have a full meal, and if you’re starting out in the comic business, you truly appreciate a full meal.”

*The Green Room is not much to look at, but it is the home to comedic genius and a good meal.*

As for the future of comedy and the Club, Barrett does not expect to see huge changes, “Many comedians serve as commentators on society. And clubs, like ours, continue to provide the opportunity to share they thoughts and observations. Places like ours also provide a place for people to go for a few hours and share laughs and enjoy the lighter side of life.”

The Comedy and Magic Club is located at 1018 Hermosa Ave. in Hermosa Beach. For their show schedule and list of entertainers visit their website at www.the comedyandmagicclub.com

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Steve Tabor

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve began his photography career photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. His experiences have led him to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics in his portfolio. As a contributor and photojournalist, he has published stories about the people, places and events in and around the Palos Verdes Peninsula and beyond.

Interested in seeing more of Steve’s work, visit website at: www.stevetaborimages.com