Will Open in November in Pasadena

“I have always believed that laughter and happiness are not the same thing. On the contrary, we normally need to find laughter when we’re depressed because humor is a kind of defense mechanism that makes life bearable,” says comedian, writer, and artist Vahe Berberian about his latest one-man show.

“The situation in Armenia, the pandemic and the mess that the entire world is in has made it imperative for us to inject some humor into our existence, because without it the heaviness that we are experiencing can literally make us sick.”

Berberian’s new monologue, Payts, will open in Pasadena, at the AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center, and will be performed on November 13, 19, 20 & 27.

“We decided to try something new this time. We’re moving Vahe’s monologue to a beautiful theater where guests can enjoy a drink before the show and be ready to laugh when Vahe’s on stage,” says Berberian’s producer Christina Shirinyan, explaining, that Payts is kind of a recap of all the realizations that the comedian has come to during the past three years, with his own twist.

“I think we’re all in the same predicament and the deeper we dive in this appalling, dreadful atmosphere, the harder it will be for us to get out. My intention is to hold a mirror in front of us and find humor and hope in everything that has gotten us to where we are today,” says Berberian. “To find humor in life is to understand the absurdity of our existence and with it, to see a glimpse of hope for the future.