Multi-hyphenate comedy superstar Cedric the Entertainer discussed his new Love & Laughter engagement with Toni Braxton sitting in his Cosmopolitan hotel room, taking a rehearsal break, then anticipating both the April 27 premiere and the weekend of his 60th birthday.
Over the years in Las Vegas he’s hit the Flamingo with the Def Comedy Jam tour, Mandalay Bay for the Comedy Get Down with George Lopez, the Joint at the old Hard Rock as a solo act, MGM Grand Garden Arena with the Kings of Comedy tour and more. “There’s lots of venues,” he says, but the pair’s Chelsea theater run continuing May 10 and 12—and beyond—“is something really special.”
How did the idea for this pairing come about?
One of my business partners and Toni’s manager, they knew each other. Her manager is based in Vegas, and they wanted something a little different, a show that had a little bit of music and a little bit of comedy, and they hadn’t been able to crack it open. Then they realized that me and Toni knew each other.
Our kids used to date when they were younger, 15, 16. So we would have to drive over to each other’s house, and sit as the parents while they visited, hung out, and watched movies. Toni and I became friends and enjoyed hanging out, laughing, and I found her personality to be quirky and funny. People who only see her as this beautiful singing diva don’t know she’s funny and cool to hang out with. So we both loved the idea when it was presented to us.
If Toni gets to be funny, does that mean you get to sing?
It’s bigger than people think it’s going to be. We’ve really worked on a Sonny & Cher, Donny & Marie kind of vibe. Although you do get all of her beautiful songs, and some amazing hilarity from me.
We got a 16-show deal, and are in early talks to extend that already. Love and laughter is the combination of the things we need right now. We’re living in some very cynical times. We take these very polarized positions on things, but we recognize a good song as something we’re all familiar with, something that we love. It just brings us together. Same with laughter. You can sit in a room with somebody you don’t know, and if y’all share a laugh, it’s a connection. We’re all together, feeling the love, and getting to laugh, and that’s what the show is about.
I’m definitely going to sing. Toni encouraged me, like, “You’ve got a nice voice! Let’s have some fun!” So I’m looking forward to showing off my voice so people know I can sing a little bit.
Tomorrow is your 60th birthday. How does it feel?
When you were young, you could look at somebody 60 years old, like, “Oh, they’re about to be folded up in the box.” But I’m running around, I feel young, I got on young clothes. I’m doing some refreshing in my life. We renewed The Neighborhood. I’m doing this new residency. I got the book out [Flipping Boxcars]. I’m just really excited about all possibilities and prospects, and just look at it as another day on the calendar.
CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER & Toni Braxton. May 10 & 12, 8 p.m., $100-$252. The Chelsea, ticketmaster.com.
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