He participated in an open-mike contest 20 years ago and his talent landed him at Capt. Brien's Seafood & Raw Bar from June 29 to July 2.

The show's opener was Orlando's Jeff Barrett, who began by asking the audience a few questions. One audience member revealed he had driven 1,000 miles from Tennessee in a Chevrolet TrailBlazer, while others were from New York and Pittsburgh.

Joann Barker of Naples shared some dialogue with Barrett when he brought up the topic of traffic tickets. Barker had received a ticket the day before when she had made an illegal U-turn. Laughter filled the room when it was revealed she had made the U-turn right in front of a marked police car. She was in hysterics while Barrett tried to extract more information from her about the ticket, so she continued to point to her husband, Jack, to answer the questions.

"Never laughed so much. I laughed so hard, I cried," Joann Barker said.

The Barkers joined Eric and Maritsa Lemasson, who had won the tickets for the evening from the jazz radio station WZJZ 107.1.

Barrett has been a stand-up comic for 18 years and this was his first time to Marco. He, too, began his comic career after attending an open-mike night. He also is an artist and freelanced for Disney. Throughout his routine, he craftily blended an evening of popular topics including marriage, prescription drugs and smoking.

"I've always loved comedy. Got hooked," Barrett said.

Next, an animated, expressive Foss greeted the audience, ready to entertain. His jokes were often accompanied by him hitting the microphone with his hand or the palm of his hand hitting his forehead. His topics changed quickly as he asked the audience about their interests in farming, hunting and country music.

When he mentioned news and received no reaction from the audience, he was ready.

"Play along, we all get out of here a lot quicker," Foss said.

He continued hitting on the topics of cell phones and drinking. The beginning of one joke mentioning Pittsburgh elicited clapping from an audience member.

"I'm going to put the name of a city in every joke, maybe I'll get more applause," Foss said.

Foss entertains troops half a year as part of the Comics on Duty World Tour. He's been traveling to entertain the troops for three years and just returned from Afghanistan.

"As a comedian, we use freedom of speech more than anyone, so the people willing to defend that, it's an honor to entertain them," Foss said.

After the tragic day we all know now as simply 9/11, he was trying to find something that he could do. Another comedian told him about the Comics on Duty World Tour and through that experience he's learned a few things.

"Found out that life is about experiences and not material things. (The troops) have the best and worst days of their lives just living out of a duffel bag," he said.

Toward the end of his set the mention of his wife brought many laughs.

"My wife's kind of famous. She's a fiction writer — maybe you've read one of her checks," he said.

His rapid-fire comedy can be heard from time to time on The Bob & Tom Show.

The entertainment for the evening didn't end with the comedians. Irish Kevin took the stage with his guitar and microphone. He asked the audience to clap along with some of his songs and also asked them a few questions while correcting some assumptions.

"People think Irish drink a lot. We only drink twice a week — once for three days, once for four days," he said.

Pittsburgh's Kim Forsyth joined Kevin on stage when she added the "bum, bum, bum" to the song Sweet Caroline. Kevin rewarded her performance with a shot of tequila provided by Brien Spina, owner.

Capt. Brien's has had the Off the Hook Comedy show for eight months and will continue to provide headliner comics on a weekly basis.

Capt. Brien's seats for dinner at 8:30 p.m. and the comedy show begins at 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. On Thursday nights, there is a buffet and comedy show special for $25.95. On June 29, the buffet included chicken wings, grilled steak tips, fried clam strips, pot roast and peel-and-eat shrimp. Other nights the show is $15 to $20 and an open menu.

A few of the future headliner comedians from the Improv's comedy circuit will include Tim Wilson, Jim Short and Dan Gabriel. You will be able to see these comedians via Capt. Brien's webcam if you sign up online to become a VIP member. The cost will be $20 for 10 shows.

For more information, visit www.captbriens.com.

©Marco Eagle 2006