Laughs as Therapy

Laughing replaces rock ‘n’ rolling as Dennis Wolfberg comes to the Ventura Theater Friday evening. A rising star on the comedy scene, Wolfberg, who starred in his own HBO special in 1990, has twice earned the title of America’s Top Male Comic by a national poll of comedy club owners.

Recognized by his bulging eyes, facial contortions and the vocabulary of an English scholar, Wolfberg has been a leading club draw since the late ‘80s.

Wolfberg says comedy is much more than simple entertainment. It can be healing too.

“Laughter is the best therapy,” he said during a recent interview. “It is one of those few things in life in which all is positive. I liken it to hugging. It is both free and therapeutic and makes everyone feel good.”

When performing, does Wolfberg--who earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology--consider himself sort of a therapist?

“Like Madonna might consider herself a nun,” he said. “I garnered a piece of paper with ‘M. A’ written on it. It is the laughter which heals.”

Wolfberg fans should consider his Ventura County appearance a real treat because he performs his stand-up act on weekends only. Though he once had a heavy national tour schedule, the father of three--including 17-month-old twins--now concentrates on family life and a burgeoning television career.

“Work is a lot easier,” he said, in comparison to father-husband duties. “I tell my wife I need to book more shows to get some time off.”

Seeing him perform, Wolfberg claims, is like seeing him at home.

“My act is a chronicle of what is going on in my life. That’s me up there. It’s not calculated.” For instance? “We had the twins for new material,” he said.

During his wife’s pregnancy, Wolfberg’s quips included, “My wife can’t feel the babies kick, but she can feel their eyes bulge.”

Tickets to Friday’s 8 p.m. performance are $16.50. The theater is at 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. Call 648-1888.