In case you missed the memo, we’re already seven days into JFL42, the annual 10-day comedy festival. I’ve been catching up with a couple of featured comedians during the fest, checking in and finding out how they feel about Toronto.
On Monday night I was at Comedy Bar yet again, seeing as its the place to be. I saw Max Silvestri do up his first headlining set of the fest, having earlier opened for festival headliner John Mulaney.
Silvestris been featured in tons of cool shows, like Brooklyn 99, Broad City and The Good Place. The funny grown man kid also came up in Brooklyn alongside Jenny Slate and Gabe Liedman with their show Big Terrific.
I hung out with Silvestri after his set to get his impressions as a Toronto first-timer, talk condo development and goof around talking about all the Young Sheldon billboards we share no matter what city were from.
Have you been to Toronto before?
Max Silvestri: I was in Toronto for five hours on Thursday. I literally got in at 6:30 pm, did two shows and then left on a bus at 11:30pm. So, those four hours, in which I did not get any sunlight, where not *ugggh* a great intro to the city. But now Im back and its my first time.
Welcome! Was there anything in particular that struck you about the city in those dark, first four hours?
MS: Im really glad that Young Sheldon has as large a presence here as it does in the States. I was a little worried that personally I wouldnt feel at home, cuz Im used to seeing giant billboards of a precocious child in a bow tie. Oh theres a bow tie and a kid fixing it and hes so good at science!
Its grounding.
MS: Very much so. It was wonderful to see that.
Like in Inception. The totems.
MS: Exactly. Only I know how heavy on my heart Young Sheldon weighs. So thats how I can always ground myself.
As a first timer, are there any Toronto things youre trying to do that youve heard about?
MS: Well Ive heard the food is great, so my MO is to sleep late, eat a gigantic disgusting lunch and then nap it off until its time to do comedy which is a very healthy way to live.
Totally.
MS: Id like to be outdoors. Someone said High Park was a pretty place? I dont think I can go to any baseball games… I think maybe Ill just buy an apartment building and redevelop it on the outskirts of the city, then flip it for $20 to $40 million.
Make all the money.
MS: I have a lot of friends that need…
…a place with no one living in it?
MS: Yeah yeah yeah! They need a place to store their money. Theres a lot of tall glass buildings and Ill probably buy one.
Amazing. Whats been your first impression of Toronto audiences?
MS: They were super nice! It was nice to be able to see everyones faces. Ive been on tour opening for John Mulaney and hes playing very gigantic theaters right now, which is so fun but also youre really playing for the back of the house. Now Im realizing, Oh I dont have to make a giant cartoon like face and scream as loud as I can because everyone is eleven feet away from me.
No complaints from us.
MS: It feels a little pushy. Sometimes when an audience is close, which I like, but youre pretending theyre not… it’s like a play. Were all in the same room, stop pretending youre behind a screen.
Why should someone who doesnt know you come see you do comedy this week?
MS: Um… I think Im funny and Im a nice man. And afterwards if you have any personal problems, I think I give really good advice. Im a great listener and I make a point to look people in the eye when theyre talking, and make sure that this moment is about them and Im not thinking about other things. I think thats appreciated by people wherever I go.
When you hear the word Toronto what comes to mind?
MS: I think of Gail Simmons and the Property Brothers. I was lucky enough to meet Jonathan of the Property Brothers! On Thursday he came to the show. Hes the one that does most of the work. Hes the contractor.
The good one?
MS: Yeah! Yet the other one is savvy cuz he doesnt have to do as much work. He didnt come. Im not sure that theyre truly two different people. Like that movie The Prestige… I didnt meet Drew. Maybe there is no Drew…
You can catch Max Silvestri tonight (Wednesday, September 27) at 7 and 9 pm at The Rivoli. Get tickets here.
Theres a bunch more other sweet comedy acts you shouldnt miss before Saturday. Check out the JFL42 calendar and grab yourself a pass now!
