Tommy Davidson, Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Donnell Rawlings, and Wanda Sykes are a handful of the many successful comics who hail from the D.C. area. The new documentary “The Mecca of Comedy: The Rise of Standup Comedy in Washington, DC” unveils their beginnings.
A four-year passion project from cinematographer, producer, and director Parrish Smith, the film journeys through the D.C. scene that birthed comedians that we have grown to love from hearty laughter. The documentary can be seen on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Tubi
Smith delved into D.C.’s Black comedy history almost 20 years ago from popular local comic Chris Thomas. Hearing the names of many comics not well known outside the metro D.C. area sparked an idea for Smith.
During a recent exclusive interview with The Washington Informer, Smith and local comedy legends Sylvia Traymore Morrison and Andy Evans, discussed details of the film, and how the District has been instrumental in shaping the national comedy scene.
“The amount of talent from D.C. is strong. It’s not just about comedians,” Smith said. “It’s also about the comedy clubs and the whole comedy scene from the late ’70s through the ’90s.”
Evans, Morrison, and the late Darcel Blagmon, known as The Fat Doctor, are repeatedly mentioned in “The Mecca of Comedy” as mentors and supporters. The D.C. family of comics “talked up” each other’s talent, gave advice, or acknowledged stellar skills when a fellow comedian was being considered for the next opportunity.
“There is a central information stream here in D.C.,” explains comic, actor and writer Davidson in the film.
The film also notes that D.C. venues where comedians performed are iconic. The best comedy in D.C. was enjoyed in places like Garvin’s, the IBEX in the Marvin Gaye Room, and the Howard Inn.
Davidson first saw Morrison performing at the IBEX. She was a top impressionist and the first Black female writer for Saturday Night Live. Davidson, also an impressionist, saw Morrison perform and determined he needed to do more work on his act after seeing her.
In the middle of the interview with The Washington Informer, Morrison effortlessly went into the voices of Whoopi Goldberg and Wendy Williams.
Evans touched on Washington, D.C.’s culture that fueled comedy by mentioning that the late Petey Greene was an example of the brilliant environment of the nation’s capital. Many locals may have considered Greene a provocative truth-teller, sometimes with a hilarious edge. Greene was a part of the comic view of this town.
D.C.’s comedy range is discussed in this film. It’s a white-collar political town in the middle of blue-collar sensibilities, the seat of national government, and a town that fights for statehood. However, it’s always been ripe for comedy.
View the trailer for “The Mecca of Comedy” here.