Comic DeAnne Smith '98 returns to Alfred University to put you in stitches

Stand-up artist DeAnne Smith ’98 will have you in stitches when she performs at her alma mater at 9 pm Friday, April 1 in Nevins Theater.

A Canadian Comedy Award winner, Smith has performed in numerous comedy venues, including Just for Laughs, JFL42, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Iceland Comedy Festival.

She also has performed on televised programs including Last Comic Standing and The Late Show in the U.S., as well as in Canada, Australia and the UK. Her video “Straight Men, Step Your Game Up” has over 46 million views.

Melbourne’s The Music calls Smith latest show, Post Joke Era, “a virtuoso display of smart, slick, silly brilliance — a metaphorical (and literal) mic-drop of a show,” giving it five stars, while the UK’s Chortle calls Smith “always relevant, but never reverent.” The UK Telegraph says she’s “Smart. Very funny. Effortless charm lets her get away with murder.” She’s never actually murdered anyone.

Smith also delivered the 2011 Riley Lecture at Alfred University.

Anyone who wants to warm up on Smith’s brand of humor can watch her current half-hour special, Gentleman Elf, on Netflix.  Her appearance at Alfred University is hosted by the University’s Student Activities Board.