5 HOT comedy shows for a cold January

Apparently we all could use a good laugh this month.

This could very well be the cure to any case of the winter blues:

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1) KEVIN HART 

January is a big month for comedy in Dayton, and one of the hottest tickets is certainly the return of Kevin Hart. The actor-comedian, who is currently starring in the new comedy film, "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," is also the author of the New York Times No. 1 bestseller, "Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons." Hart, currently on The Irresponsible Tour, performs at the Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. Cost: $68, $88, $148. Limit four tickets per household. Call 937-775-4789 or visit www.nuttercenter.com.

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2) JEFF DUNHAM 

There is no modern ventriloquist in the United States as successful as Jeff Dunham, who is currently out on his Passively Aggressive World Tour 2017-2018. His latest special was the Netflix Original, "Relative Disaster" (2017). The top-selling ventriloquist will be back in the area with on-stage partners like Peanut, Walter and Bubba J. for a concert at the Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. Cost: $51.50. Call 937-775-4789 or visit www.nuttercenter.com.

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3) MARLON WAYANS  

While Marlon Wayans comes from a family of comedians — his brothers Keenen, Damon and Shawn, all did stand-up before acting — he was already an established actor when he started doing stand-up in 2011. The actor-comedian, whose debut stand-up special premieres on Netflix in 2018, kicks of the New Year with performances at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 5 and 7. Show times are 10 p.m. Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $35-$45. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.

4) HEYWOOD BANKS 

As a musical comedian, Heywood Banks has created a number of songs that have become fan favorites, including "Fly Eyes" and "Toast." However, one particular one, "Big Butter," has local significance. The song was written about "King of Kings," the Jesus statue in front of the Solid Rock Church in Monroe that was struck by lightning and burned in 2010. The one-of-a-kind comic returns to Wiley's Comedy Joint, 101 Pine St., Dayton, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 19 and 20. Show times are 7:15 and 9:45 p.m. Cost: $20. Call 937-224-5653 or visit www.wileyscomedy.com.

5) DONNELL RAWLINGS 

Donnell Rawlings has a lengthy creative resume, including parts on "The Wire" and "The Corner." However, to many viewers he is best remembered for his work as a cast member on "Chappelle's Show" on Comedy Central. Rawlings returns to the area for performances at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 19 and 20. Show times are 7:30 and 10 p.m. Cost: $20-$50. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.

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