Lenny Bruce Is Back Tickets

It may be hard to believe, but the comedy world never seems to run out of fresh material. However, that does not mean that iconic comedians from decades or even centuries past are forgotten. One such comedian who still packs a punch in today’s society is none other than Lenny Bruce.

Bruce was known for his controversial and groundbreaking stand-up comedy that pushed boundaries and challenged societal norms during the 1950s and 60s. His satirical and often explicit humor tackled topics such as religion, politics, sex and censorship.

But while he was celebrated by many for his courage to speak truth to power, Bruce's act would ultimately lead him down a rocky road that included multiple arrests and convictions on obscenity charges. In 1966, at the age of 40, Bruce tragically died from an accidental overdose of drugs.

Despite being gone for over 50 years, Lenny Bruce has made a comeback of sorts in recent years. His name has become synonymous with taboo-breaking material in the world of comedy. Some current comedians consider him a major influence, including Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Sarah Silverman.

Silverman, in particular, has spoken about Bruce's impact on her comedic style, especially in how it deals with sensitive topics like race and gender. She said, "Lenny was the first one to say explicitly racist stuff, but he did it to expose racism... I think his crusade was really important."

In addition to inspiring current comedians, Bruce himself has been brought back into the spotlight through various forms of media. In 2017, director John Maggio released "Lenny Bruce: Without Tears," a documentary film chronicling Bruce's life and impact.

Moreover, he has proven to be an apt subject for books and plays. Just this year, Ronnie Marmo wrote the play "I'm Not a Comedian…I'm Lenny Bruce," which premiered off-Broadway in February 2019 and later had a successful run in Los Angeles.

Overall, it's clear that the legacy of Lenny Bruce is one that has stood the test of time. He may have been ahead of his time in terms of what he was able to say and do on stage, but his impact on the world of comedy cannot be overstated. Today's comedians continue to learn from Bruce's fearlessness in tackling controversial topics, while audiences still laugh at his jokes and are moved by his message.