High Energy Comic Pablo Francisco Plays Pittsburgh Improv; Sumertime’s Great for a Bar-Ba-Cone (Thurs., 6/18/15)

1) One may describe Pablo Francisco and his brand of comedy as madcap, raunchy, or loud. His act is something like a collage of sound effects, impressions, and various self-developed characters woven together with wit, kinetic flair, and a keen eye for the absurd. There’s a very good chance you may know him as the guy that does the impression of the guy that does the voice for movie trailers (you know—the guy with the really deep, epic-sounding voice? Yeah—that guy, the late Don LaFontaine). However, though his set relies heavily on his expert voice work, Francisco prefers not to think of himself as a sound or prop comic—rather, he thinks of himself as an “A.D.D. comic,” as someone just “messing around.” Francisco has been featured on numerous sketch comedy shows—most notably, “MadTV” and “Mind of Mencia.” Likewise, he’s appeared on “The Tonight Show” and Howard Stern’s radio show. Check him out at Pittsburgh Improv. 8 p.m. Performance through Sunday. 166 E. Bridge St., Homestead.

2) Since the late ‘80s, Pat Joyce had owned or run the 17th St. Café until he decided it was time for something new. With help from his brother, Mike Joyce, the 17th St. Café was reborn as The South Side BBQ Company. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner and has a brunch menu on weekends. They also cater. In addition to offering the best of Carolina, St. Louis, and Texas hospitality, the restaurant has a Pittsburgh original—the Bar-Ba-Cone! That’s chicken or pulled pork, coleslaw, and mac n’ cheese … in a waffle cone. And if you think you’ve seen The Southside BBQ Company outside the South Side, it is because the brothers also operate a food truck, “CarnivoreMobile.” 1707 Wrights Way, South Side.

3) Love & Mercy — In 1965, Beach Boys songwriter and producer Brian Wilson had just released the album Pet Sounds and was starting to work on the follow up Smile. Unfortunately, Wilson began to experience increasingly alarming mental health issues which turned into several nervous breakdowns. Eventually the Wilson family hired therapist Eugene Landy; the arrangement almost destroyed Wilson and saw Landy having his license revoked and barred from ever contacting Wilson again. Bill Pohlad directs this version of the Wilson and Landry story. Paul Dano plays Wilson as a young man, John Cusak plays the older Wilson, Paul Giamatti is Landy, and Elizabeth Banks is Wilson’s girlfriend. The screenplay is by Oren Moverman and Michael A. Lerner and the film was made with Wilson’s cooperation. Check Fandango for screens and times.

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