First Stop Afghanistan: Catching Up with Comedian, Mike Pace

Comedian Mike Pace comes to the at the on March 26.

Opening for Pace is Maggie Newcomb. The series began with Jeff Applebaum performing a sold-out show Feb. 26 and continues with Pace's show March 26.  The series concludes with the star of Showtime’s recently debuted “Godfathers of Comedy,” Rocky LaPorte, on April 30. 

Pace was raised hard-core Catholic so there were many opportunities to be inappropriate in the best situations. He picks up the story from here, "As a kid, I loved the Marx Brother's and the Three Stooge's, Mae West, W.C Fields and then later-George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield, and Cheech and Chong. I guess you could say that I love the irreverence of making fun of all the things that people hold so close to their hearts because it's all an illusion in the end anyway, and  I love to see people laugh and have fun. And, I like when people's standards are challenged and their butt's pucker up." 

Originally from in St. Louis, MO, and  the oldest child, his parents would let him stay up late to watch Johnny Carson's opening monologues, which were probably the inspriation for much of Pace's humor, plus the fact that he fell into comedy on a dare. Pace recalls, "I went to an Improve class and they asked me to preform with, them that week." 

Before that  Pace was a bartender, a teacher's aide, and a recreation counselor at a developmental center for mentally- challenged youth and adults.

Pace continued, "I've also studied theatre and developed a deep passion for both acting and comedy.  I've been fortunate enough to have appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm." He's also made several commercials and independent films as an actor.  Pace has worked with the top names in the music industry  from  B.B. King, Natalie Cole, Charo and the late great Lou Rawls, and he's also shared the stage with such comedy legends as- Robin  Williams, Chris Rock, Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller, Ellen Degeneres and the late greats- Rodney Dangerfield and Sam Kinison.
 
Pace feels that his alter ego is that of a vampire, which is what feeds his need for comedy.  Pace explained, "I am a vampire. I like the hours. I never realized how important my job was till we did two shows on 9/11/2001 in Las Vegas. People were scared and stuck and we took them away from all that for a couple hours."

"Since then I've been to Iraq five times and to Afghanistan twice and looking forward to another trip to both-real soon. I'm also going to Korea in May. Entertaining the troops is the greatest thing in the world. They bring you in like one of their own and they are so grateful to be taken away for a couple hours and maybe back home in their minds. I love when people come up and tell you thanks and that they needed to laugh," Pace acknowledged.

When not traveling, Pace likes to wear himself out by surfing, kickboxing and working out. "The last thing anyone would think to look at me is that I work out as hard as I do, but I have to exhaust myself physically everyday.
I eat between rounds and reps and sessions A LOT!" he laughed.

Pace’s family consists of a radio DJ wife whose show follows Howard Stern. Pace said, "I am still married to the greatest person and most beautiful woman ever.  I fall in love with her a lot still after 25 yrs +2 living in sin. I have a 23 yr.old son who has just toured Europe with his death metal band and released their 2nd CD. He has just made the smart decision to get his degree, and I couldn't be prouder of him and that decision. I have a 21 year old daughter who is so much like me that it's like looking in a mirror.  She's a vegan. She's going to Thailand this week to teach Yoga and take Muay Thai lessons from the source."

She hopes to find a place there to teach and help and nurture young children. "I am proud that she wants to give. I have the biggest and best surprise of my life, my 12 year old son. God is truly 'THE' comedian that shattered my world, and I can only thank him everyday for this blessing. He is quite talented at yo-yo-ing and has closed my shows in-Tahoe, Vegas, San Francisco and many more places.
I am very proud of him. He is a great person."

 Maggie Newcomb, a sassy six foot blond (slowly becoming a brunette), delights crowds of all ages with her clever, original and clean comedy. She was the WINNER of the 2004 Battle of the Bay Comedy Competition hosted by the San Jose Improv and a Semi Finalist in the 2005 California’s funniest female competition. Maggie has worked major comedy clubs, corporate events and charity functions all over the the San Francisco Bay Area and has opened for many national headliners including Darrell Hammond, Craig Ferguson, Harland Williams, Jake Johannsen, Clinton Jackson and Bruce Baum.