(from left to right) Charles House, Alex Kitsune, and Jesse Porter, on their way to an open mic in St. Louis

Charles House, Jesse Porter, and Alexander Kitsune are Tri-Farce, a new comedy group that aims to bring true comedy to Springfield.

Charles House, the freshman comedian of the group, having only been in comedy since March, had the idea to form a comedy trio earlier this year. He had met Jesse Porter a few times at Laughing Stock (an open mic night held the first Tuesday of every month at the Outland, hosted by Merr), and then the two of them met Alex Kitsune. By July, they had formed Tri-Farce.

Charles House, 33, always wanted to get into the entertainment business. “I used to beg my mom to get me an agent.” Originally it was acting, then directing. But he always said that, if he didn’t make it by 40 he was going to turn to comedy. Earlier this year he simply decided, “Why wait?” saying, “comedy is the last bastion of anyone that might accept me.” He describes his comedic style as, “Dyslexic. It has no clear form, and can be hard to figure out sometimes. Very non-linear. Also, 42”, and cites George Carlin, Mitch Hedberg, and Joe Rogan as his major influences.

Jesse Porter, 21, always liked making people laugh, but never considered a career in comedy until a fateful night in November of ’07, when, in a tragic car accident, he lost the use of his legs. Making the best of his situation, he turned his struggles with adapting to his wheelchair into comedic gold. He has now been in comedy for roughly four-and-a-half years, billed as the Superman of Comedy. Of his comedy he says, “There’s no getting into character before I go on. I’m the same guy you see on stage, or meet at the store. My comedy is my life.” Of note is his talent with audience interaction; a female friend of his jokes that he has great “Stag” presence. As for comedic influences, he says, “My comedy is mine”, and that, while he enjoys many performers, he has no direct influences.

Alexander Kitsune is the senior of the group, having been in comedy for over six years. He got his start here in Springfield; “I go down to the Outland and there’s a guy telling a joke, describing a scene from Men in Black as the entire joke. After mocking him I was encouraged to sign up [for the open mic], which I did so proudly[…] I went on, fumbling at first., but […] I was apparently funny as I was asked to return the next week. The week following that I was unofficially co-hosting.” He describes his comedy as “Eccentric Situational Humor”, adding “When you’re on the stage, you can’t have a conscience.” As his influences, he cites Don Adams, Sam Kinnison, and Bill Hicks. Kitsune hosts an event called “Suspiciously Funny” at Zeal the second Thursday of every month.

Tri-Farce have many plans for the future, including a podcast (which I have been lucky enough to become a part of, eventually doing reviews as small “commercial” pieces, as well as talking on the podcast itself from time to time), and a web series, all while performing shows and at open mic nights, expanding to new venues, and encouraging upstart local comedians.

Come out to Zeal this Thursday (Oct 18^th) for this month’s “Suspiciously Funny” event, brought to you by Mental Block Entertainment and Almost Talented Productions (It’s running late this month, due to scheduling issues last Thursday), hosted this month by Jesse Porter. The three members of Tri-Farce will be doing their sets, preceded by an open mic which will include some of the funniest comedians in the area, and myself. That’s right, Tri-Farce has roped yours truly into doing my second set as a comedian (note: I am not a comedian, and I’m still not exactly sure how I was made to do the first set. But, as Jesse Porter put it, “Comedy is in your blood now,” and I just can’t turn it down). So, come out, have a good laugh, have some drinks. It’s always a good time at Suspiciously Funny, at Zeal in downtown Springfield.