Martin Lawrence whips up his comedy Aug. 29 and 30 at Hammond’s Horseshoe Casino.
And just like so many times before, Melanie Comarcho will be there to warm up the audience as his opening act.
She has several tours under her belt with Lawrence since first working with him more than a decade ago.
“One thing I can say about the man is that he’s a man of his word,” Comarcho said. “We had so much fun, and we jelled, and he said that, ‘When I’m on tour, you’re on tour.’ And every time he has reached out to me, and I’m so thankful for that.”
Comarcho also has toured with two other notable stand-up comedians: Katt Williams and Chris Tucker.
She likewise noted her involvement in “The Bad Girls of Def Comedy Jam.”
Major films also have provided work for the comedian.
“The last movie I did was ‘First Sunday’ with Ice Cube and Tracy Morgan,” said Comarcho, referring to the 2008 comedy that also featured Katt Williams.
Comarcho has lived in Southern California for the majority of her life, but some of her childhood years were spent in the Windy City.
“I was born in Chicago; I was raised on 89th and King Drive,” she said.
But by the time she was 8 years old, she was residing on the West Coast — and destined for a career in comedy after working as an electronics technician at Hughes Aircraft Company.
“I’ve been doing comedy for 23 years, and I have been nothing but blessed,” Comarcho said.
At their 8 p.m. shows on Saturday and Sunday at The Venue in Horseshoe Casino, both Comarcho and Lawrence will dispense bold, adult material.
Although Comarcho says she does “raw” comedy, her career is not limited to such spicy material.
“I do churches and schools; I’ve done clean shows,” the Los Angeles entertainer said. “I can do whatever the occasion calls for, and that’s what a good comedian can do.
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“I’m versatile. The seasoned comic can adapt. I do private parties, and sometimes the kids are there. As a parent, I’m not gonna do a joke that I wouldn’t do in front of my own kids.”
She has the good fortune of unleashing stronger material during appearances with the highly successful Lawrence, who is known for his Fox television show “Martin” in the 1990s. His movies include “House Party,” “Big Momma’s House” and “Bad Boys.”
Comarcho’s TV exposure includes appearances on “The Chris Rock Show” and “Def Comedy Jam.”
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Martin Lawrence, with Melanie Comarcho
Where: The Venue at Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond
When: 8 p.m. Aug. 29 and 30
Tickets: $65, $90 and $125; must be at least 21 years old to attend
Information: 219-473-7000 or www.caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond