Laughlin instructor joined by comedians in Del Rio show

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Desiree Economides
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Jose Sarduy, the winner of the 2008 Funniest Person in Texas competition and an Air Force Reserve instructor pilot at Laughlin, will perform in the Southwest Texas Comedy Tour scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, July 17 at the Paul Poag Theatre in Del Rio.

Comedians Lynne Koplitz, Mark Riojas and Omar Chavez will join Sarduy in the PG-13 rated show.

"I like coming to Del Rio, it's got a small town feel. The difference is you go into the bar and see everyone you know and you see all the 18 year-olds with their hands stamped and all you can really say is 'welcome to the bar'," said Sarduy.

Pre-sale tickets are being sold for $12 at Sam's Boot Corral and the Paul Poag box office. Tickets at the door are $15.

Although early on in his life Sarduy wanted to be an astronaut, after attending the Air Force Academy he set his sights on flying. When he was assigned to fly C-141's during his training stint at Laughlin, Sarduy says, he was destined to begin his back-up career in comedy.

"I started comedy in New York City and because I had spent a year in Texas, I smiled all the time there. And people would tell me, 'if you keep smiling like that, people are going to do something so you aren't smiling anymore'," said Sarduy chuckling.

All jokes aside, the non-profit comedy show tours through Del Rio several times a year and has brought comedians Joey Medina and Mike Robles in the past. This time, Lynne Koplitz is making an unscheduled stop from her tour schedule to perform in Del Rio.

"I'm excited to be performing with Lynne in Del Rio. I asked her to come to the show over a year ago and she's finally able to make it out. She's incredibly talented. It'll be a great show," said Sarduy.