Jeff Dunham loves his audience. That was obvious at the Brick Breeden Field House on Sunday during his performance to a clamoring crowd that packed almost every seat. Before the show, I was a skeptic. I had only seen Dunham’s show on youtube and was not too impressed. But as I entered the Field House, it was electric. A large screen hung above the stage and made Jeff and Co. larger than life for the hundreds of enthusiastic people in the upper seats. Since I was late, the show was already in progress and although we had been comped amazing seats in the seventh row on the floor, we had to take some nose bleed seats instead. Bummer. I was immediately in awe of Dunham’s easy demeanor and magnetic stage presence. He has refined his art into a well oiled machine, and any mistakes he does make, he laughs off and moves on like the pro that he is. Jeff Dunham’s act is truly something one must experience live to appreciate completely. His interactions with Achmed and Peanut and Jalepeno (on a steeeeck), seemed as though he really were just hanging out at home and joking with real friends, and it was most enlivening. To kick off the show’s finale, Dunham brought out the new dummy for Peanut, who is now taking up the art of the vent, and started what would become an astounding five way conversation. The new dummy was a replica of Jeff Dunham himself whose full name (from Peanut) was ‘Little Ugly Ass Jeff’, but was affectionately shortened to ‘Ass Jeff”. It was hysterical. Dunham has the ability to really level with his audience with his self deprecating slams, as it seems genuine and not forced. It was actually endearing and kinda made me go,”Awwww, don’t be so mean to your self, Jeff!” Tiring of Peanut’s insults and ‘Ass Jeff’, Dunham brought out a friend of his own, a crazy Peanut hand puppet that was a far less than intelligent. The last of the friends to round out the five way conversation was Jalepeno (on a steeeeck) joining in the shenanigans from his case. I was blown away with the impeccable timing that Dunham employs to carry on a conversation with five different voices with accents and the rapid back and forth of a true to life dialogue. At one point, Peanut had said something to Jeff that had a ‘p’ on the end of the word, and that one consonant was so annunciated I couldn’t imagine how Dunham could do that without using his lips. Y’all try that one at home! Truly an impressive talent to say the least.

‘Identiy Crisis’ is a hot new show and Jeff Dunham is on top of his game once again. It is no wonder he has such a long list of successes and plays to sold out venues wherever he goes. I am now a fan of Dunham and am glad I got the opportunity to see him live. ‘Identity Crisis’ by Jeff Dunham is a do not miss!!

Stacey Faldetta