Reggie Watts: Must See

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For his much-anticipated SXSW comedy performance tonight, the always imaginative Reggie Watts will be stripping the soundtrack away from Ridley Scott’s 1985 fantasy film Legend and re-dubbing in his own live music and off the wall improvisations.

Legend starred a then-23-year-old Tom Cruise as a leaf-wearing “doltish bumpkin” (to hear Watts tell it) and Tim Curry from The Rocky Horror Picture Show as the demon Darkness. Watts will be providing his own dialogue in place of theirs and a snark-laced commentary on the onscreen action.

If you’re unfamiliar with Watts’ shtick, the comic improvises music and whimsical lyrics, beat-boxing and using a Sony Mini-Disc player to make loops and layer his vocalized sounds. Watts has a hilarious, inspired, and wholly original comedic mind and it’s no wonder why Conan O’Brien picked him to be the opening act of his national comedy tour. It’s impossible to predict what one of Watt’s sets will consist of, because many times he doesn’t even know himself until he gets out on stage.

Watts performed his Legend remix in San Franciso as part of his 4-day “Reggiedency” at the Sketch Fest last month and word of mouth is strong for the Austin show, but be warned: The show will be held in the relatively small Velveeta Room as part of the Comedy Central festivities. If you want to get in, get there very early.

Reggie Watts performs as a part of the SXSW Third Man Showcase March 16th at Esther’s Follies, 508 East 6th Street in Austin.