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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Comedian Bob Marley performed at the Caribou Performing Arts Center on Saturday evening to benefit the Caribou Fire & Ambulance Department. |
By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — The Caribou Performing Arts Center turned into a comedy club on Saturday night as Maine comedians Krazy Jake and Bob Marley took the stage to entertain the audience for the benefit of the Caribou Fire & Ambulance Department’s general fund, which provides the money for public awareness programs such as Learn Not to Burn.
An exact figure for the amount raised was not available at press time, but according to Caribou Fire Chief Scott Susi, an estimated $5,000-$6,000 was the anticipated total.
A 50/50 raffle held at the show provided one lucky audience member with $290 in winnings.
“We really appreciate everyone coming out,” Susi commented about the sold-out event. “It was a great show of community support.” Bob Marley is the state’s most well known comedian. A Maine native and University of Maine at Farmington graduate, Marley uses biographical and observational material for his high-energy routines.
“I’m kind of just the reporter,” Marley explains about his material. “The jury is still out on how skewed my view is.”
After being dubbed the “class clown” throughout most of his youth, Marley was encouraged to perform a routine while attending Farmington as a form of stress relief at a health fair. Marley then began performing comedy in Portland and Boston, and his career grew from there.
The comedian has had his own special on the television network Comedy Central and has appeared on numerous comedy television shows. Marley has also made complete rounds of the late-night talk-show circuit, having appeared on all of the major programs.
Marley does all of his own writing and changes his routine constantly. Life in the Pine Tree State is the focus of his work, and he says finding material to write about is usually not that difficult.
“I’ve been given a lot of gifts this year,” he says, referring to current events such as the Zumba prostitution ring scandal in Kennebunk.
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Maine comedian Krazy Jake stretches out during his comedy routine performed at the Caribou Performing Arts Center on Saturday evening to benefit the Caribou Fire & Ambulance Department. Krazy Jake was the opening act for fellow comedian Bob Marley. |
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Comedian Bob Marley signs an autograph for fan Autumn Lizotte of Presque Isle. Marley’s performance at the Caribou Performing Arts Center to benefit the Caribou Fire & Ambulance Department on Saturday was Lizotte’s first chance to see Marley perform live. |
While he does not shy away from adult-themed material, he draws the line at using certain language, something he didn’t always do.
“Back then I’d listen to my routines and think how unimaginative it was,” Marley commented about language used in his prior material. “I decided to stop using those words. I always want to be relatable.”
After living in Boston for two years and Los Angeles from 1999-2005, Marley moved back to Maine with his wife. The couple has three children, a daughter, 12, and two sons, 8 and 6.
Marley does include a portrayal of his family life in his routine, which is not always the most flattering to those involved, himself included.
“My wife has told me she would be really mad if it wasn’t so accurate,” Marley explained when asked how she feels about his impersonation of her on stage.
According to Marley, the famed feminist attorney Gloria Allred made a similar comment about his perception of married life when he performed a show in Los Angeles sponsored by her.
Marley said his career does not interfere with his time with his family, explaining he is only on the road 12 weeks out of the year, and the majority of his shows are performed at theaters within driving distance of his home. Marley was not staying in Caribou on the evening of his CFAD benefit show and was heading back to Portland after spending some time signing autographs and posing for photos with fans.
Having done approximately five shows for the CFAD, Marley said he enjoys coming the County and performing benefits.
“They are great to work with,” Marley said, referring to the CFAD, “and what blows me away is that they need equipment, but they are raising money to benefit the community instead.”
For the past year, Marley has been joined during his New England shows by another Maine-based comedian, Krazy Jake. Similar to Marley, Jake also lived in Los Angeles for a time and has done a lot of television and film work. He moved back to Maine and currently resides in Falmouth.
“I love performing in the County,” Jake said, adding how friendly he thinks people in the County are. Krazy Jake will be back in the County on January 19th for a performance at the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center. More details will be made available as the show’s date approaches.
