This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with comedian/musician Hal Sparks, performing in Nerd Halen at Count’s Vamp’d Rock Bar & Grill as part of “Punchlines and Backline” on July 21. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Hal talks about how he got in involved with Nerd Halen (which combines the music of Van Halen, with the antics of the most staunch nerds, seemingly taken directly out of an 80’s B-movie); the only rule he has for tribute bands; why performances can have both content and entertainment, and why both are needed; his philosophy of art on live stage work, which is that the audience wants to agree with you about who you are; how your nervous system prepares you for comedy (but not immediately – it takes years of performing); and why his ultimate career goal is to be Burgess Meredith.
Hal Sparks has hosted the Emmy award winning Talk Soup, starred in the Critically Acclaimed Showtime Drama “Queer As Folk,” The Citizen Kane of Stoner films, “Dude, Where’s My Car?” and as Donald Davenport in the Runaway Disney Channel Hit, “Lab Rats.” His Theater credits include Equus and True West. Hal is an accomplished musician and singer, magician, director and writer. He also speaks fluent Mandarin and French.
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