Meet Jeff Capri | Comedian/Writer.
We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Capri and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jeff, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Arguably much easier than becoming a doctor. Heavily influenced by having artistic and creative parents.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community? What you are most proud of or excited about?
What you are most proud of or excited about? That I’ve been able to stay consistently working and keep learning and being challenged for over 25 years.
How did you get to where you are today professionally?
Well, I got a lucky head start having a father who is a successful, hilarious, supportive and fairly well known borsht-belt comedian (Dick Capri). I also started going to open mics when I was 18 just at the end of the 80’s “comedy boom.” During that time I saw two very different generations/styles of comedy. I learned a lot during that time period, although navigating how to balance both influences was difficult. The rest is persistence, timing. Stand up is a lot like working out, if you don’t do it consistently, parts atrophy. The great thing about comedy for me, is you are always learning and evolving. I find myself challenged now more than ever. I’m also having more fun onstage because I’m really able to “feel” and utilize the many tools I’ve acquired over the the many years of (so) many different kinds of comedy gigs. The good, the bad, and the superbad.
Was it easy? Yes & No. Like I mentioned, before having the influence very different worlds; the “east coast Catskill resort comedy” vs the “1980’s cocaine-fueled comedy club comedy” was quite challenging early on for me, but today, I’m so grateful to have been submerged in both worlds. Today, performance is (most of the time) the “easy/fun” part. Obtaining the gig. Getting to/from the gig, and maintaining the gig are the real challenges.
If not, how did you overcome the challenges? In my experience, you don’t overcome challenges, those are already on “the path” waiting for you. You deal with them as they come, and learn from them. Keep learning and try to help others the way you have been helped.
What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? Hard work equals better job security. Wish I had learned that sooner. Better late than later…
What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? I’m fun.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well if “they” showed up on a Monday, I probably would start them at Old Tony’s at the Redondo Beach Pier at sunset, for happy hour cocktails, and sunset acoustic tunes.
Tuesday morning, stay local, Coffee at Java Man in Hermosa a grab Brother’s Burritos. Hit the beach.
Wednesday maybe take a little a car ride up to Terranea in Palos Verdes for killer ocean views, maybe a hike, then cocktails & happy hour.
Thursday, Venice. (A must see for anyone who hasn’t been, just not on the weekend) Check out some local street performers, buy some incense, watch a freak show, buy a t-shirt, people watch, then maybe head out to Abbot Kinney for a pallet cleanser.
Friday….My partner Amanda & I have been getting back in to vinyl records, so maybe we’d hit some of the local vinyl record stores, a bit inland from the beach….one store is very close to a Korean BBQ restaurant called Furusato BBQ we love. Eat, then go back and play the new vinyl over cocktails.
Saturday feels like another beach day. This time we’ll check out south Redondo. Different vibe for sure. Later, if the weather is warm enough, maybe a back-yard movie (I have an outdoor projector) have drinks and I’ll cook up some steaks, etc. (real & impossible)
Sunday mornings in the South Bay breakfast is an institution. Uncle Bills in Manhattan Beach for great pancakes, ocean view and comparing hangovers. Then a daytime bike ride along the Strand to the Hermosa Pier is par for the course. Great people watching, we might catch a pro/am volleyball game. Then you can alway relay on 3pm Reggae at the world famous Lighthouse Cafe. Oh yeah, the Comedy and Magic Club is there, if a friend was doing a set, I’d suggest we pop by in that evening.
Not bad aye? Hint: A lot of this happens almost every week I’m not gigin’.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Parents: (Dick Capri, Barbara Clippinger) Brother: (Rob Harris) Friends: ALL of them
Friends/Fellow comedians: Don Barnhart, Frances Dilorinzo.
13 year partner: Amanda Williamson
Website: jeffcapri.com
Instagram: /jeffcapri
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