Comedians Chris ONeill and Paul Valenti The Chris and Paul Show freely admit they are a couple of big kids.

Watching their videos and television performances bears out that claim. Using primarily facial expressions and body language, they deliver silly, laugh out loud physical comedy.

Referring to themselves as modern day vaudevillians, the two might bring to mind Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton or the television show The Kids in the Hall, depending on ones generation.

We draw from a lot of the old-time greats. Were basically like a live cartoon on stage, ONeill says.

Finalists on NBCs Bring the Funny, they clearly entertain judges Chrissy Teigen, Kenan Thompson and Jeff Foxworthy, even roping Teigen into their act in one episode.

You got all these laughs without saying a word and thats a special skill set. I couldnt stop laughing, I was beating the table, and thats what (Bring the Funny) is all about, Foxworthy says in a release.

The duo will perform at Steel City Improv in Pittsburgh for two shows 8 p.m. Feb. 7-8.

They also will hold a 2 p.m. Feb. 8 workshop at the Improvs alternate location, 6401 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh.

20 years of skits

The two began performing together after meeting in 1999 in Connecticut. They eventually teamed up and traveled from their homes into New York City to perform after Valenti called a club, pretending to be a manager and booking their act.

We were so excited to do shows in New York. On the train we realized we had no show prepared. We wrote our act on the train, ONeill says. They later moved to New York and began their careers in comedy through trial and error, they say.

Its called The Chris and Paul Show because its the two of them being themselves, Valenti says.

We are also very immersive. We use the audience, but we dont shame or embarrass them, he adds.

Inviting someone on stage turns that person, ONeill says, into the champions in the show.

They get an ovation. Its all in good fun, he says.

Bringing their own funny

The great thing about working with Paul is its a good balancing act. Paul is completely fearless, ONeill says.

Classical music fans, the two listen to Bach, ONeill says, and think, What would be funny to go along with this beautiful music?

Each audience brings a new dynamic to their show, ONeill says. You learn quickly how funny you are when you do shows for New York audiences.

After finding their voice, he says, they began approaching international festival organizers.

They are winners of awards including Best Newcomer Nominee, Edinburgh Fringe Festival; Best Actor in a Comedy (they tied), New York Television Festival; Best Sketch Comedy Duo, the INNY Awards; and Best Newcomer, the Montreal Comedy Festival.

Language is no barrier to audiences finding their comedy relatable.

Its human behavior. We had a group of kids (at one performance) who didnt speak English. I was watching them and they were just in awe of what we were doing. They started smiling and laughing. We feel like our act is universal, Valenti says.

Their Saturday workshop is open to anyone, performers or not, they say.

We like to strip (comedy) down to the bone and get to the root of whats funny, ONeill says.

Though the two use some words and music, they deliver most of their material sans dialogue. One of the scariest things for a performer or someone giving a speech is silence.

Embracing that silence opens up a whole new world of opportunities, they believe.

Mary Pickels is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary at 724-836-5401, [emailprotected] or via Twitter .

The Headshot Truck LLC

Connecticut comedy duo Chris ONeill and Paul Valenti will perform at Steel City Improv Feb. 7-8.

The Headshot Truck LLC

Connecticut comedy duo Chris ONeill and Paul Valenti will perform at Steel City Improv Feb. 7-8.

The Chris and Paul ShowWhen: 8 p.m. Feb. 7-8; workshop 2 p.m. Feb. 8Admission: $15 and up, workshop cost is $90Where: Steel CityImprov, 5950 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh; workshop at 6401 Penn Ave., PittsburghDetails: 412-404-2695 or steelcityimprov.com

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