AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Storyis a captivating animated documentary drama on the legendary Texas outlaw comic Bill Hicks, whose profound observations on American life changed the face of comedy forever. The film will be playing at the Belcourt Theatre May 2-5, preceded by sets from Nashville-based comedians Chris Crofton, Chad Riden, James Austin Johnson, Gary Fletcher and Sean Parrott.

The film has been called:
“a deeply perceptive, fittingly honest tribute…”
- London Film Festival

“inventive and daring…one of the few great docs for 2010 that has balls.”
- SheffDocFest

“Visually fantastic….completely absorbing and incredibly entertaining”
- Aint It Cool News

Here’s the official trailer:

If you are unfamiliar with Bill's work, here's a quick way to get up to speed. Bill Hicks: The Essential Collection is.. well, essential to any comedy collection.

Bill’s “outlaw” comic reputation and his relentless search for truth with such a brilliant comedic mind has inspired and infuriated comedians at every level of success. Go to any open mic and you can spot young comics who have been listening to his albums – the same way you can identify a HUGE Mitch Hedberg fan or someone who watches a lot of Daniel Tosh. You can spot that influence in comics who haven’t figured out the unique way they are funny yet.

Among seasoned comics, there are guys who can rant about soulless politicians, corrupt religions, bullshit advertising, the ratings obsessed eye-candy media, and evil global corporations.. but not many can do that while being as hilarious and original as Bill Hicks was. Hicks was so good at what he did, it makes me constantly look at my act and think, “what crap!” (BTW, no need to write ‘yeah, me too’ in the comments, I KNOW.) It’s humbling when you take a look at how fantastic stand-up comedy can be.

Bill is such an iconic figure in the world of comedy.. and his story resonates with me on a personal level. I’m a stand-up comic from the South who has zig-zagged across the country doing shows at the Chuckle Huts in the Shithole type towns for years.. and I’ve felt that same frustration and desperation first hand. Bill’s story isn’t just hate-fueled drunken rants, though. The film covers his entire life – sneaking out of the house as a young teenager to go perform at the local club, his struggle on the road, his hate for Los Angeles, his success in the UK, his spiritual journeys and inspiration via psilocybin mushrooms, his fight with cancer, his sobriety, his success and eventual censorship on David Letterman’s show and his redemption when Letterman finally made that right. It’s an incredible film about a legend whose work is still very relevant today.

The film will be playing at the Belcourt Theatre May 2-5, preceded by sets from Nashville-based comedians on the different showings. Tuesday is Chris Crofton night. Wednesday’s late night showing has no special presentation at this time. Thursday night’s two showings will be presented by NashvilleStandUp and feature myself (Chad Riden) and James Austin Johnson at 8pm and Gary Fletcher and Sean Parrott at 10:20.

Monday 5/2/2011
9:40pm: AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Story (film only)

Tuesday 5/3/2011
8pm: Chris Crofton, AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Story
10:20pm: AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Story (film only)

Wednesday 5/4/2011
10:30pm: AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Story (film only)

Thursday 5/5/2011
8pm: Chad Riden, James Austin Johnson, AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Story
10:20pm: Gary Fletcher, Sean Parrott, AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Story

The Belcourt Theatre
2102 Belcourt Avenue
(Hillsboro Village behind Pangaea and the Villager Tavern)
http://www.belcourt.org/events?id=75440
(615) 383-9140

A final word from Bill:

Maybe you’ve heard all the hullabaloo about “Death By Death 2, a comedy about killing people” – an entry Nashville 48 Hour Film Project featuring Nashville comedian Brad Edwards & Janet Williams “The Tennessee Tramp.” It recently premiered at the Belcourt and positive feedback has been pouring in. One big Nashville media mogul said, “I’ve seen it and it is hilarious. If you don’t go see it and think it’s hilarious, then you are absolutely incorrect.”

The entire short runs 7:43 and you can see it on the YouTubes and right here:

Once again, local comic / filmmaker Joel T Wilson and his “I Love Betty Productions” competed in the Nashville 48 Hour Film Project. This year, his entry was “Death By Death 2, a comedy about killing people” featuring Nashville comedian Brad Edwards & Janet Williams “The Tennessee Tramp.” NashvilleStandUp has seen the short film and it is FUNNY.

Here’s a trailer for “Diebold Thoroughkill” – which appears as a movie trailer within “Death By Death 2″:

If you’d like to go see “Death By Death 2, a comedy about killing people” it premiers at the Belcourt TONIGHT (Wednesday) at 6pm – in ‘group A’ (credited to “Awesome Pictures, Joel Reid”).
(The facebook event is here.)

This week doesn’t look too bad for stand-up comedy in Nashville. We’re lucky enough to have several heavy hitters in town and one of these great shows is even a breast cancer benefit.. so there’s no guilt in going out and having a good time:

Tuesday, September 15
8am Get Up, Stand Up (91.1 WRVU-FM)
8:30pm OPEN MIC Contest (Spanky’s Sportsbar & Grill)

Wednesday, September 16
7:30pm Jeff Allen / “Best Of Nashville” (Zanies)

Thursday, September 17
7:30pm Mike Birbiglia: I’m In The Future Also (TPAC: James K Polk Theater)
7:30pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)

Friday, September 18
7:30pm Tickled Pink – Comedy For The Cure – Tom Rhodes, Beth Donahue, Brian Bates, Shawn Tidwell, Matt Holt (Belcourt Theater)
7:30pm, 9:45pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)

Saturday, September 19
7pm, 9pm, 11:15pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)

Sunday, September 20
7:30pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)
8pm Laugh At Joe’s OPEN MIC (Joe’s Place)

Breast cancer is no laughing matter, but the International Man of Comedy Tom Rhodes along with Beth Donahue, Brian Bates and Shawn Tidwell invite you to get “Tickled Pink” about attending an evening of laughs and entertainment while supporting a worthy cause. This “Tickled Pink” fundraising affair for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Nashville Affiliate will take place on Friday, September 18th at the historic Belcourt Theater.

In a raucous stand up career spanning 25 years and 7 continents, Tom Rhodes has been on HBO, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and filmed two half hour specials for Comedy Central. Tom was also the host of his own late night talk show in Amsterdam for Dutch television. Tom is one of those rare exotic creatures who has dedicated his life to stand-up comedy. Nashville-based comics Beth “Damn” Donahue (CMT’s “Southern Fried Chicks” Tour), Shawn Tidwell and Brian Bates will also perform.

Tickets are $25 and are available now at the Belcourt’s website. The Facebook event is here.

Belcourt Theater
2102 Belcourt Ave
Nashville, TN 37212-3543