itsranney.com - Biography

A side-splitting shaman known as The Illuminatus and Mr. FunnyBlackMan, "ranney"s comedy is profanely pentecostal with a gonzo twist. He is a prolific writer, a profound poet, exceptional actor and director. Experience the experience when he is in a venue near you.

"ranney" has headlined at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Comedy Cellar in Dublin, and London’s The Comedy Store. He was the premiere comedian for "Laff Tuesdays," which was the world famous Apollo Theatre’s professional comedy club in Harlem. He has shared billing with Paul Mooney, Bill Bellamy, and Martin Lawrence. "ranney" has opened for Eddie Griffin, Katleen Madigan, REO Speedwagon, and the Sugar Hill Gang.

Mr. FunnyBlackMan has mounted six one man shows in the last decade including Pardon Me: I Promise to do My Best (the David Staz Jr Center for Performing Arts and Performance Space Orlando), And the Horse You Rode In On (The Project Arts Centre in Dublin, Ireland), Whatever (the People’s Improv Theater in New York), and Cufflinks and Jolly Ranchers for Dummies (the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland). His latest one man show, and debut dvd, The Chicken or the Egg, is currently being booked. In two decades as a professional stand-up, "ranney"s comedy has evolved from drop-dead observational humor and hysterical storytelling to transendental insight and prophetic evenings.

The Illuminatus is also a room-shaking spoken word artist. He has performed his hip verse and hypnotic diatribes worldwide. A prolific poet, "ranney" performed The Break of Dawn: Tracing the Origins of Speech , an abstract 30 minute, stream-of-consciousness language odyssey, at The David Straz Jr Center for the performing arts. "ranney" was a nominee for "Best International Poet" by The Farrago Poetry Group in London. He is also an award-winning actor (Critic's Choice - Best of the Bay - Creative Loafing, Tampa for Boy Willie in the Center Theatre Company production of August Wilson's Piano Lesson). "ranney" was a member of the award-winning quintet in The Bomb-itty of Errors that ran on London’s West End.

Comedically, "ranney" has moved beyond the run-of-the-mill obsession with provocation that pervades the world of comedy. He builds a better world through the expansion of consciousness. Trivial thoughts, cliches, and funny observations are transformed. Audiences get an otherworldly event from a grounded mystic channeling his rants, exorcisms, and energy into an hysterical, hyper-religious experience. Experience the experience of stand-up comedy that is revealing and innovative. It’s inspirational. It’s incendiary. It’s inconceivable. It’s "ranney."

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