#billy bonnell

The notion of a dark past feeding into the material of a comedian is such well-trodden territory that the nuances and specifics of it are now often overlooked. It’s easy to say that comedians are, in some way, broken (that’s not always true by the way), but their singular experiences paint their persona, delivery, perspective in subtle, yet very powerful ways. 

Billy Bonnell, who is now a local LA comedian, had a particularly dark childhood and this touching mini documentary, Class Clown, made by filmmaker Nick Cavalier, shows how Billy specifically dealt with that pain and channeled it through to his comedy, which we happen to enjoy.

New Post has been published on http://citizensjournal.us/hillcrest-center-for-the-arts-presents-comedy-friday-february-13-2015/

HILLCREST CENTER FOR THE ARTS PRESENTS: #COMEDY Friday, February 13, 2015

HashtagComedy returns to Thousand Oaks and will bring some of Hollywood’s funniest headlining comics to Thousand Oaks for an evening of entertainment each month. The monthly nightclub performances are at the Theatre on the Hill at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Dr. on Friday, February 13 at 8:00pm. With a new lineup each month, the evening features several comedians in an hour and a half show offered in an intimate cabaret setting. The comedy show is for eighteen years and up only, and cocktails may be purchased with valid ID. Doors open at 7:30. Don’t feel like driving into Hollywood for comedy?

John McKay

This month’s lineup includes award-winning comics with international credits, such as John McKay, a Los Angeles based comedian from Seattle. Currently, he is a staff writer for Will Ferrell’s Funny or Die.

Jodi Miller is a sought after comedian, television and film writer, and leading lady with credits that include The Sopranos, Law & Order, The Tonight Show and Chelsea Lately. Most recently Jodi received a standing ovation from all four judges on America’s Got Talent!

Jon Rudnitsky is an LA based stand-up and sketch comedian. A graduate of the USC BFA Acting Conservatory and recipient of the John Ritter Memorial Award for Outstanding Comic Performance, Jon regularly performed stand up throughout college, winning the Laugh Factory’s Laugh Bowl College Comedy Competition his senior year. Aside from various TV guest spots, Jon’s original YouTube videos have been featured on Variety, Huffington Post, NY Magazine among other major sites and have accumulated millions of views.

Jon Rudnitsky

Billy Bonnell is a native of Texas. He started performing Stand Up in San Diego while in the Navy and quickly won San Diego’s Funniest Person Contest in 2010 and then again in 2012. As a house regular at the La Jolla Comedy Store, American Comedy Co. and Mad House Comedy club, he has been the go to feature for some of comedies biggest names including, Jim Norton, Anthony Jeselnik, Adam Devine, Jeff Garlin, Jamie Kennedy, Doug Benson, David Allan Grear, Joe Rogan and Brody Stevens.

Julia Jasiunas is the producer of HashtagComedyLA and a native to the Conejo Valley. A comedienne, actor, singer/songwriter, dancer and all around performer, Julia has performed at many Hollywood hot spots such as The Comedy Store, Westside Comedy Theatre, Flappers Comedy Club, and The Lyric Theatre as well as The Comedy Palace and Madhouse Comedy Club in San Diego, Ca. Most recently, Julia opened for Ahmed Ahmed at the Tahoe Improv! She has also been featured in many regional musicals such as “Annie” with Cabrillo Music Theatre and “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”.

#COMEDY tickets are only $10 presale for general admission and $13 at the door, and $9 with student ID. Tickets may be purchased at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts Box Office or by calling (805) 381-1246 or www.hillcrestarts.com  Also on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook under the handle @HashtagcomedyLA.

Billy Bonnell

Julia Jan

Jodi Miller

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Billy Bonnell longs for a pre-smart-phone era on tonight's new episode of Adam Devine's House Party.