Avati, speaking to The News to promote a pair of appearances in May at the Living Arts Centre (LAC), said even though he's Australian-Italian, his jokes resonate with many Italians, regardless of where they live.
"There's one underlying theme that continues around the world," said Avati. "And that's everybody laughs if something is funny. Some people have said we're making fun of Italians, but that's not it. Imitation is the highest form of flattery and we're certainly not making fun. We're celebrating and honouring (our forefathers) who came to places like Canada and Australia to make a better life for their children."
Tickets to see Avati, who'll be joined at the LAC the next two Thursdays by Canadian comedians Freddy Proia, Angela Maiorano and Cesare, cost $55.13.
To purchase, call 905-306-6000.
To get a flavour of Avati's stand-up, visit www.myspace.com/joeavati or www.joeavati.com.
Some of the show's dialogue is delivered in Italian. Avati said that to fully enjoy yourself at the performance, you should have a good grasp of the language.
"People who grew up in Italian households will really get the humour," said Avati. "I can get pretty physical on stage and, of course, there's all the facial expressions."
Family is a big source of Avati's material; he said some of the characters he brings out at his shows are based on his family, including his mother and father, as well as his grandmother and grandfather.
"We're addressing the relationships between the characters a little more," said Avati. "Family really is the utmost (in many Italian's lives) and they've always been first and foremost in my life."
Avati made a name for himself after a clip of his routine, Nonno’s Car Accident, made the rounds on the internet in 2000. The next year, buoyed by the positive fan mail he received, Avati came to Canada for his first tour.
He returned for a series of sold-out shows in 2005.
"(My success) certainly wasn't an overnight thing; it took about six weeks," he joked. "The internet really helped and it seemed like the entire country had shared my routine. When they started asking when this Joe guy was coming to Canada, I knew I had to head over."
cclay@mississauga.net
