Comedian, actress Cocoa Brown is bringing her comedy 'therapy' to District Live

One year after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, a friend invited Cocoa Brown to a barbecue.

Little did she know, it would be a lifechanging invitation.

“Unbeknownst to me, it was the home of a comedy club owner, who by the end of the night invited me to come to an open mic because he thought I was hilarious,” she shared.

That chance meeting would set in motion a comedy career that has spanned two decades, bringing her onto television screens and stages across the country.

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Now, Cocoa Brown brings her unique comedic talents to Plant Riverside District’s “Big Comedy Network at District Live” series from Thursday through Saturday on River Street. Tickets range $15 for students, $22 general admission, and $29 for VIP.

The comedy series will feature five live performances by the award-winning comedian, with Canadian-born comedian and Atlanta resident, Landry, opening the shows.

A native of Newport News, VA, Brown has been called “a comedy machine gun” during an appearance on “America’s Got Talent” and was later honored as the DC Comedian of the Year. She credits her early comedic influences with the massive talents of famed comedians Richard Pryor, Gilda Radner, Adele Givens and Simply Marvelous.

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Many of those influences bubble up in her routine, as Brown draws from hard lessons and personal memories to weave her own funny spin on life while uplifting audiences.

“I hope the people who come to my show not only laugh, but also realize that we are all the same in so many ways, from our thoughts and experiences to how we see the world,” Brown explained.

“When I see so many different people of different races, cultures, ages and backgrounds all enjoying my show, it lets me know that what I’m saying is needed to bring us all together,” she added.

Brown is probably best known for her lead role in Tyler Perry's films “The Single Mom's Club” and “For Better or Worse” on the Oprah Winfrey Network. She also was featured in the 50 Cent/Starz cable network series “BMF: Black Mafia Family,” “P-Valley” and “Single Drunk Female.”

She also appeared in the FX drama series “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” along with roles on popular television series “ER” and “Breaking Bad.”

It’s a long way from her beginnings in her hometown of Newport News, VA, Brown said, as she reflected on how far her comedy has taken her.

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“Performing live for me is so different now compared to what it was in the beginning of my career. In the beginning, I think I had this "pick me" mentality, trying to be seen and trying to be heard,” Brown shared.

“Now, performing live is my therapy. I don’t know what I’m gonna say until I hit that stage. At a lot of times, it is truly just what is on my heart and mind. It's very freeing,” she added.

The comedy tour comes on the heels of a trying year for Brown, who lost both of her parents within eight months of each other. Brown says they were her two biggest supporters who believed in her talent even before she believed in herself.

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“Comedy is helping me heal and be at peace with it. Now, I have two amazing angels watching over me,” Brown shared.

“I know that every time I go onstage, I’m honoring them because both of them were funny in their own ways. I know that I am a true product of them,” she said.

Now a mother herself, Brown spends her time juggling between caring for her family, appearing regularly on national television shows and touring her comedy act to audiences nationwide.

It’s a tough balance, but one she says it buoyed by the inspiration of those who support her most, including her son, whom Brown credits as her greatest inspiration.

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“I see him now embracing his sense of humor, it makes me smile knowing that he knows that it's OK to be silly and to be funny,” Brown added. “Especially in this day and age, it is a beautiful thing to witness.”

For tickets and information visit: plantriverside.com/district-live/.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah GA concerts: Comedian Cocoa Brown at District Live