A comedian who spends his weeknights getting New York crowds ready to laugh for Stephen Colbert is bringing that same energy to Bloomington next weekend. Paul Mecurio, the longtime comedy writer and stand-up performer, is set to headline the Mall of America’s House of Comedy on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24.
From Wall Street to the Ed Sullivan Theater
Mecurio’s path to comedy wasn’t exactly conventional. As CBS News Minnesota reports, he’s scheduled to perform stand-up at the House of Comedy during these Twin Cities dates. Mecurio also worked as a Wall Street lawyer.
These days, Mecurio’s day job puts him right at the heart of late-night television. The Globe’s report notes that his job at The Late Show is to welcome the audience into the Ed Sullivan Theater and get them ready to see the show.
A Style Built on Talking to Strangers
The Globe reports that Mecurio brings audience members onstage for conversations, turning strangers in the crowd into part of the show itself.
Mecurio’s work also extends beyond stand-up to his role on The Late Show.
Minnesota Audiences, Meet Paul
On Richmond’s Morning News, Mecurio discussed a comparison host Rich made between his life and a Hallmark movie, along with a separate upcoming show at The Tin Pan, according to Audacy.
He’s also been working the crowd before he even arrives. In a post on X, Mecurio wrote that he was heading back to Minnesota and needed some local help, asking where he should eat and what neighborhoods he should check out before getting onstage at House of Comedy on October 23rd and 24th. It’s the same curiosity about the people around him that defines his stand-up sets — asking questions first, jokes second.
