Originally published Friday, November 7, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments
E-mail article
Print view
Martin Short is a congenial comedian of many characters
Martin Short, the comedian-actor, comes to the Seattle-Tacoma area with "An Evening with Martin Short," for one night on Nov. 8 at Tacoma's Broadway Center for the Performing Arts.
Seattle Times theater critic
"An Evening with Martin Short"
7:30 Saturday, Pantages Theatre, 901 Broadway, Tacoma; $59-$99 (253-591-5894, 800-291-7593 or www.broadwaycenter.org).Sometimes he is Jiminy Glick, a rotund celebrity interviewer whose noxious, fawning cluelessness knows no bounds.
Then again, sometimes he is Ed Grimley, the smarmy uber-nerd with the slicked-up Alfalfa hair.
Or you may catch him as the William Buckley-esque, chain-smoking arch conservative Nathan Thurm, a bundle of sweaty nerves.
But off-screen, all of these comedic characters (and a few others) are neatly tucked into the slender, compact form of Martin Short, an uncanny actor-comedian who brings his solo, multi-
character show, "An Evening with Martin Short," to Tacoma's Pantages Theatre for a one-night stand on Saturday.
Canadian-native Short is yet another comic who learned his trade during an early stint doing improv at Second City (the Toronto branch). He's an illustrious alumni of both "SCTV" (where he shaped some of his signature characters) and "Saturday Night Live" (during its 1984-85 season).
But what fans who know him from TV-sketch comedy shows — or his zany old Comedy Central series, "Prime Time with Jiminy Glick" (where Jiminy held court with many real celebs) — may not realize is that the antic Short has yet another identity.
That would be Martin Short the musical-theater star. That guy has a surprisingly sturdy singing voice, is a nimble dancer and won a Tony Award for his starring turn in the Broadway musical revival of "Little Me." (He also starred in the ill-fated "Goodbye Girl" musical, and in his own warmly received mock-autobiographical 2006 revue, "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.")
Alas, unlike Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers or other "SNL" veterans, Short did not score big in the movies after leaving the show. His 1986 film "Three Amigos," which also featured Chevy Chase and Steve Martin, was a disappointment given all its comedic star-power — through no fault of Short's.
So this very likable performer is mainly working the stage these days, offering sharp, timely send-ups of celebrity culture without ever seeming mean-spirited about it.
In fact, Short has earned a reputation as a very pleasant, accessible fellow. He's also a committed family man, who has managed to stay married to the same woman since 1980 (former actress Nancy Dolman), and with her enjoys an off-the-radar family life with their three children.
In interviews, Short has said that the secret to staying nice in the rough trenches of showbiz is to treat his profession like a business, and not take the bad stuff personally. And talking to Time magazine, he summed up his personal philosophy this way: "I've chosen to treat my life more like a party than something to stress about."
Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
CD review | Wale's 'Attention Deficit'
Dozens of acts, several stages beckon at first Seattle cabaret festival
Deck the Hall Ball lineup announced; tickets on sale Saturday
Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic to tour U.S.
Taylor made? All eyes on Swift at CMA awards

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Huskies are finding talent in Tacoma
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
264 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
251 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
210 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
193 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
131 - Obama pressed into role as national healer
125 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
100 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
97 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
85 - DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
84
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Rainier Pacific Financial calls rescue 'unlikely'








