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Improv Comedy Club at Harrah's Las Vegas Presents John Henton

By: Mar. 14, 2011
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Budd Friedman and Mark Lonow's world-famous Improv Comedy Club at Harrah's Las Vegas showcases a different marquee of acts each week. John Henton takes the stage tomorrow through Sunday, with supporting acts Shayla Rivera and Joan Fagen. Improv shows are at 8:30pm and 10:30pm every Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are $29.05 (plus applicable taxes) or $44.95 (plus applicable taxes) for VIP tickets that include special seating, an Improv t-shirt and post-show meet-and-greet with the comics. Special two-for-one tickets are also available for locals. Tickets are available at Harrah's Box Office (702-369-5223) and online at www.harrahs.com.

After five years on the FOX hit television series Living Single, John Henton has earned a name for himself as one of today's leading comic talents. Through the lovable and sensible character of "Overton Wakefield Jones", Henton has found a loyal and endearing following. As seen at a recent appearance on Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Henton's appeal goes beyond the character he played on television as he captivated the audience with his observational and topical humor.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Henton never entertained the thought of a career in comedy. In 1982, while working during the day and studying computer science at night, Henton was urged by a co-worker to try his jokes at a local Comedy Club's amateur night. By his second night, Henton won the amateur night contest and began stand-up part time. Henton made the move to Los Angeles in 1985 and by 1988, started his stand-up career full time.

After taking his comedy on the road for a year and winning the 1991 Johnny Walker National Comedy Search, Henton was spotted by The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson comedy executive, the late Jim McCawley, who booked him for a performance on the show. As he finished his set, Henton looked to Carson for his approval and received much more. Henton was called over to take a seat on the coveted couch where Carson asked him if he had an agent. To Henton's reply of "no", Carson mugged, "Well you will after tonight." It was a performance which Henton says gave his career a "serious jump-start."

Since then, Henton has starred in the ABC comedy The Hughley's and made appearances on The Arsenio Hall Show and Bob Hope's Young Comedian's Special as well as returning to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In January 1993, Henton starred in his own half-hour comedy special for Showtime, John Henton: Comedy With An Attitude.

In April of 1993, Henton was cast in the FOX TV series Living Single starring Queen Latifah and Kim Fields Freeman. The show received stellar ratings and TV Guide selected Henton's character as one of the "break out" characters of the 1993 fall season. When the show came to an end after five years, Henton was proud and pleased with the work he had done on the show. Although Henton currently resides in Los Angeles, he will always call Cleveland home.



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