Many, particularly those in the entertainment circuit, say that it would be easier to make an audience cry than to make them laugh.
One famous native of Shanghai accepted the challenge and flew miles to make history.
Chinese stand-up comedian and TV personality Zhou Libo brought his brand of comedy at the prestigious century-old Carnegie Hall in New York City on July 8, reported Xinhua.
More than 2,500 people gathered at the renowned performance venue’s Main Hall, aka Isaac Stern Auditorium/Ronald O. Perelman Stage, that Friday night to be entertained by the 49-year-old visiting presenter.
On that notable night, Zhou became the first Chinese stand-up comedian to ever perform at Carnegie Hall.
Wearing a white suit and a black bow tie, Mr. “Shanghai Style Small Talk” tickled the funny bones of the spectators with jokes he crafted himself for the 2-hour one-man show.
He likewise serenaded them with well-known Chinese songs, including the classic “I Love You, China.” The audience joined him in singing “March of the Volunteers,” China’s national anthem, at the concluding part of the show.
One American who attended the show told Xinhua that he spent a “very wonderful time” and that he found Zhou to be “very humorous” and “very impressive.”
Carnegie’s website describes Zhou as a popular figure in the country, and acknowledges him as “a pioneer of political parody in mainland China.”
In 2009, a Los Angeles Times report referred to him as “Shanghai’s homegrown rock star,” a comedian “impeccably dressed” with a growing fan base.
Zhou created and hosts the reality talent show “Chinese Dream Show” where contestants get the chance to realize their dreams. It premiered in 2011 with no less than Hollywood A-lister Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean”) gracing the show’s seventh season in 2014 to select the winner, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
After his performance at Carnegie Hall, Zhou’s fan base perhaps welcomed an additional 2,000 admirers.