In his first venture since retiring from the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal, with partner AEG Live, will launch an All-Star Comedy Jam Tour of more than 20 cities, beginning in September.
O’Neal is presenting the tour through his company Shaq Entertainment, the powerhouse behind his successful All-Star Comedy Jam brand of television specials and DVDs. The tour will be produced in association with AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of AEG, which handles special events, broadcasts, exhibitions and tours of artists such as Taylor Swift, The Black Eyed Peas, Justin Bieber and Bon Jovi.
“I played with many All-stars on the court and laughed with these All-stars off the court,” O’Neil said in a statement. “I’m happy to present this hand-picked lineup as the first Shaq All-Star tour.”
That lineup will likely include comedians from past All-Star Comedy Jams shot during NBA All-Star Weekends, such as Aries Spears, Corey Holcomb, Tommy Davidson, Capone, Gary Owen and Tony Roberts.
Live footage from the tour will be included in an upcoming reality show, “All-Star Comedy Jam Backstage Pass.” Filming will be produced and distributed by Codeblack Entertainment, an independent, African-American-owned studio that specializes in urban television and films.
The All-Star Comedy Jam Tour kicks off Sept. 9 in Memphis as part of the Southern Heritage Classic, and wraps up Nov. 19 in Minneapolis at the State Theatre. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 17 at 10 a.m. at www.aeglive.com.
ALL-STAR COMEDY JAM DATES 2011
Date City Venue
September 9 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre
September 10 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckherd Hall
September 16 New Haven, CT Shubert Performing Arts Center
September 17 New York, NY Best Buy Theater
September 23 Seattle, WA The Moore Theatre
September 24 San Diego, CA Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay
September 30 Richmond, VA Landmark Theater
October 1 Washington DC DAR Constitution Hall
October 7 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center
October 8 Birmingham, AL Alabama Theatre
October 14 Baltimore, MD Modell PAC at the Lyric
October 15 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall Theatre
October 21 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
October 22 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
October 29 Louisville, KY W.L Lyons Brown Theatre
November 4 Hammond, IN (Chicago) The Venue at Horseshoe Casino
November 5 Cleveland, OH The Palace Theatre
November 11 Philadelphia, PA Keswick Theatre
November 12 Pittsburgh, PA Byham Theatre
November 18 Kansas City, MO The Midland by AMC
November 19 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre