schedule
Ben San Del
Animal Cracker Genocide
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 5:30 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 3 @ 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 4:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 2:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 8:30 p.m.
Venue Augsburg Mainstage
For ages 13+
Created by Ben San Del
Web site bensandel.com
genres Solo, Comedy
features World premiere, Original script/choreography
Overall rating
User reviews
Peed My Pants
by Tom Anderson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Has anyone ever made you laugh so hard you had peed your pants?
Well this guy did! A couple of dribbles, and I even went to the bathroom 3 minutes before the show started.
Always to a good move to get the audience involved with your jokes. And the rewarding at the end of the show, why not?
Ben has such a unique and comical way of looking at the world. And they are all so true to how he responds to them.
I can't wait to see him perform at the next Fringe. Heck, why wait for another year? I'll be sure to follow him around other venues to get several good dribbles of pee in my pants!
Glad I Went!
by Heather Smith Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I was very ready to sit back and laugh when I arrived at Ben's show, and he allowed me to do just that. He had a great rapport with the audience, nice timing and used the circle of comedy to his advantage. It was a very enjoyable hour!
Good Standup
by Micah Bruce Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
A lot of good stuff in this one...just like in Naked juice (the bottled kind, not the shower kind). It was a very entertaining way to spend an hour.
Charming, not amazing
by Fringe Lover Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Based on the other reviews, I expected to laugh every minute of this show. The laughs are there, some jokes are very funny, and he weaves them together well. I'm less keen on sex jokes than the rest of the audience, I guess. I long for stand-up that doesn't have to get vulgar. As stand-up comics go, I suppose Ben's stuff is pretty tame, but I wasn't really keen on it. Mostly though, I thought his humor was just not as funny as the rest of the audience seemed to think it was - it was topical, it provoked small laughs (and a few big ones), but it didn't seem "Fringe sell-out level" humor to me, and the act still seemed a little unpolished. Ben asked us all to write reviews, so I put this on here to urge him to fine tune things and take his comedy to the next level. It seems to me that at the Fringe he's mostly among friends, and an audience that's too friendly isn't helpful for a comedian.
Just incredible
by Paul Froiland Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I wrote an entire adulatory review, then my cat jumped on the keyboard, and the review disappeared. So in case the cat didn't land on the "submit" button, let me say again that this show is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen, and the work is brilliantly creative. He puts totally disparate things together and makes them hilarious. He really involves the audience and even had a woman leave with him, she got so involved. He has an endearing stage personality. The man deserves six or seven kitties. In fact, you may have to add another entire species because he's so funny. He really makes it look easy, which is a sign of great talent. Do not miss this show. If you do miss it, do not miss another one of his shows, ever.
Enjoyable Standup
by Eric Meininger Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
True standup from this one-man show. Ben is endearing and funny, but 50 minutes is a little long for an act like this. Laughed plenty and enjoyed the show.
Hilarious
by Katy Read Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I laughed until I cried and wished I had brought a Kleenex. Ben has great timing, a nice relaxed stage manner and genuinely funny jokes.
Loved it. And that's saying a lot.
by Emily Smith Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I'm generally not a fan of stand up, but I decided to give this show a try and I'm so glad I did! Very well-written--seemed to jump from joke to joke, which would have been fine, but they all came together, which was even better.
Better and better
by Rebecca Sandell Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Ben gets better with each passing Fringe. I can't wait for next year!
Top Quality Stand-up
by Kay Jackson Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I had a great time at this show, but I will never be able to read "Green Eggs and Ham" with a straight face again. And don't get me started on how long it will be before I drink a bottle of Naked Juice.
Well, finally
by Kristi Lawless Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I finally got a chance to see this guy, and now I know what all the fuss is about. Funny, funny show.
Awesome!
by Laurie Swenson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I don't get to see Ben's standup very often, living in Bemidji, so it's always a treat. His show is hilarious, thought-provoking and wonderfully paced. It's also very Ben, packed with quirky observations that only he could come up with, with expressions that make me laugh no matter what he's saying.
Charming
by Cole Sarar Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Though I'd heard pieces of Ben San Del's stand up before, he excels in the craft of stand-up, putting together different storylines and jokes, to be a Voltron-like super-joke. He bounces well off audience, and manages to be incredibly funny without ever really becoming offensive.
1000 points to Ben!
by feesh ette Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Ben San Del should be a staple on everyone’s Fringe list. It's storytelling and stand-up, mixed into a delicious comedy stew.
oh yeah
by Karen Taulelle Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
In case there was ever any doubt, Ben San Del has arrived. And we hope he never leaves. Absolutely spot on.
man he's funny
by matthew vaky Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Great stand up, really good timing. Funny, funny, funny
My second five-star show
by phillip andrew bennett low Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Was laughing non-stop from beginning to end. Meandering delivery conceals a deceptively well-structured show. Full review available at the Twin Cities Daily Planet.
Fun show for the entire audience
by Amber Preston Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
If you don't have fun at this show then boo hiss! Please run far away and never come back. I've seen Ben's stand up many times but never for more than 15 minutes at a time. It was great to see him weave everything together for a full show. Like I said there is something for everyone at this show. Even if you are the person that laughs the least...Well done Ben!
Don't Even Have To Be Drunk
by Jeff A. Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I have studied stand-up comedy for a while, and know it's one of the hardest art forms to pull off successfully, but Ben makes it look easy (believe me, making stand-up comedy look easy is a magic trick). To keep an audience's attention for 50 minutes using nothing but jokes takes great talent, especially considering Ben is away from the comfort of a comedy club where audiences are primed for laughter and loosened up with alcohol. I laughed the whole time, and I, nor the rest of the audience, didn't even have to be buzzed to find it funny. Don't know what I liked better, this, or Tragedy of You.
funny stuff
by vickijoan keck Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Ben's sweet demeanor and self-deprecating humor was a big hit with the sold out crowd I saw the show with. He has an Eye-ore like quality that is charming and just makes you want to give him a hug. I'm glad the show is a hit because this guy needs some positive strokes to his ego. then again, if he were arrogant he would not be so funny!
Super good
by Sonja Johnson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Loved this! Its hilarious and smart.
Great fun
by barb sandell Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I loved the show and I'm not just saying that because I'm a relative. I recommend everyone go!
Straight forward funny
by Shellae Mueller Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show is funny, charming and engaging. Make sure you fit this one into your schedule.
Win Prizes
by Matlisa Semrad Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
There's a prize for biggest laugher and for the depressed guy. Well written show, Ben has good timing. We liked his dimples.
Best Ben San Del Show Yet
by Sophia Naylor Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I've seen both "Mittens for Fat Kids" and "Strawberry Fields Temporarily". This is the best show yet. Over these past 3 years, Ben San Del (cool name, by the way) has sharpened his stand up comedy skills to extraordinary heights. This guy is going somewhere. Somewhere rich and famous.
So...yeah. Go see the show.
Sweet comedy
by Cody Stewart Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
8-3-09 @ 7:00pm
Augsburg Mainstage
Gentle Ben's comedy flows sweetly. This stand-up act is witty and has some great gimmicks. He's a natural on stage and the build up to the end was entertaining. There were no dull moments. Highly recommended. I rate this a 4 out of 5.
"... severe penalties if you're late."
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Of the Rockstar Storytellers, Ben San Del is the best stand up comedian. He draws you into his world until he becomes part of the audience. The material jibes perfectly with his timing and delivery. He's comfortable within his own skin, and you get to share the best parts. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal and snarky comments on Facebook.
Stand Up Star
by David Trudeau Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I was turned away from the show I wanted to see - sold out - so saw this. Oh happy accident! Flawless joke weaving and not a dull moment. After a great musical people leave the theater singing the songs. They left Ben's show telling the jokes. I went to the men's room and a guy was laughing singing "Happy Birthday" washing his hands, I crossed Riverside and the crowd ahead of me was laughing doing street crossing jokes from the show.
Very funny
by August Berkshire Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
A nice droll stroll down nerd lane.
High Larious
by William Marth Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Don't expect anything outside of the box, or anything very Fringey, with this show, as it's just one band geek doing his routine.
Do expect to laugh until you pee yourself.
I'm a sucker for underdog nerd humor.
by Erica Mauter Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Ben's comedy is smart, but not sensational. I laughed, but not uproariously. But I'll be honest: I've used the "Booya!" line twice since seeing the show less than 24 hours ago.
Getting Better all the Time
by Matt Sandell Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Ben does it again. What else can I say? 50 minutes of great stand-up comedy. Make sure to check out the show.
Booya!
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
One guy, many quips. For this Fringe run he works with short jokes that sometimes cycle back, rather than longer anecdotes. He doesn't hesitate to share his awkwardness, his phobias, and his dick jokes.
Beautifully constructed comedy
by William Beeman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Ben San Del is a masterful comedian, and this beautifully constructed show plays the audience like an instrument--maybe the trombone he starts with. Many comedians just riff on a laundry list of random stuff. He builds a tiny universe of references for the audience, and then runs the riffs on them, juxtaposing and recombining them in surprising ways. The material becomes familiar, and he gets deep belly laughs because the joke is now an insider joke, shared between him and the audience. It is so clever, and so insidious, the audience hardly knows how completely they have been coopted into co-creating the humor. All this is enabled by his engaging, comfortable style. This bright young performer is certainly on his way to a very distinguished career. If he can do this so completely well, what other arrows does he have in his quiver? Here it is really possible to say, see this and catch a rising star.
Treats From Ben
by Richard Shields Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is an artist that pulls his audience into his show with a combination of humor, charm and charisma. You have to laugh! And if the laughs he offers are not enough, some of the audience gets treats!
I loved how he used the new fringe space at Augsburg he was performing in.
Fun & entertaining
by Jen Audburn Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Ben's performance is creative, original and really well put together. I laughed the entire time. Wish I could have seen his previous shows... especially if they were as good as this was. Definitely a must see! ...especially if you need a pick me up after a bad day. He'll turn your frown right upside down (...this will have more meaning if you go see it)
Animal crackers cracked me up
by Gregory Abbott Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Ben is a smart comic with great delivery. I'll say it now before the Pioneer Press comes out: It's one Don't Miss pubic performance. Did I really leave out the "l"?
Hilarious
by Vincent Galante Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I didn’t get the chance to see the last two shows by Ben San Del but I heard good things. He definitely lived up to the hype. This is not your typical Fringe show but it belongs in this Festival all the same. Ben’s style of stand-up comedy stands out from the usual frat boy humor one comes to expect from a 20 something comedian. His jokes are intelligent and his pacing is perfect. If you want to spend 50 minutes laughing, this is the show for you.
Comfortable performer
by Bam Spastic Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
If "Mittens" was Ben's first show (I think it was) I have seen all of his shows. He has come a long way in a short amount of time.
This year, I seriously felt like I was watching an HBO special. This guy is polished, knows his material (Grade A stuff, I might add), and is at ease with the audience. I love watching him do his stuff. Don't miss him. You can say you knew him when...
Funny
by Jessica Fields Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I thought he was great. Lots of masturbation jokes.
Fresh comedy well delivered
by Pat Lindgren Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Liked how much he interacted with the audience in that very intimate space at Augsburg.
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