Admit it: You need a laugh.
Twenty-nine days into the new year and you have yet to put your action plan into place. No new workout routines. Those books you promised yourself you'd start reading are collecting dust on your nightstand. And we won't remind you that you pledged to cut sweets from your diet.
Instead of beating yourself up, you need to laugh.
Don't take our word for it: It's a proven scientific fact that laughter can improve your physical and mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughing in the short term can stimulate your organs, relieve your stress, lower your heart rate and blood pressure and reduce physical symptoms of stress. In the long term, it can boost your immune system, relieve pain, increase your personal satisfaction and mood and make you a happier, far more pleasant person.
Howie Mandel comes to the Fox Tucson Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 1.
We're no doctors, but we're pretty sure the prescription calls for getting out to a comedy show.
Boy, are you in luck: There are a handful of big-name, really funny comedians about to take our stages beginning with Fox Tucson Theatre's back-to-back concerts this weekend.
Paula Poundstone from "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me," who has made Tucson an every-other-year stop, returns to the Fox for a 7:30 p.m. show Saturday, Jan. 31, followed by Howie Mandel ("America's Got Talent," "Deal or No Deal"), making his first Tucson appearance since he played Desert Diamond Casino in 2009, at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1.
Paula Poundstone returns to Fox Tucson Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 31.
For tickets and details, visit foxtucson.com.
Also coming to the Fox, 17 W. Congress St.:
Comic magician Justin Willman brings his "One for the Ages Tour" to Fox Tucson Theatre on Feb. 5.
Dave Attell comes to Rialto Theatre on Feb. 12.
Standup Kathleen Madigan is playing a show at Fox Tucson Theatre on Feb. 13.
- Comic magician Justin Willman brings his "One for the Ages Tour" to Tucson for a 7 p.m. show Feb. 5. Willman has been a familiar face in Tucson since he started his comedy/magic career as a teen at Gaslight Theatre in the early 2000s.
- Kathleen Madigan makes her long-awaited return to Tucson with a show at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13. "The Day Drinking Tour" will include her biting political commentary and personal observations on life with elderly parents, millennials and everyday folks.
Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., also has upcoming back-to-back comedy shows.
- Dave Attell is first up Feb. 12 for what might be his first Tucson show since 2008, as far as we can tell, anyway. If you want to catch up on his comedy, check out Attell's 2024 Netflix special "Hot Cross Buns." He goes on stage at 8 p.m.
Cristela Alonzo brings her "The Midlife Mixtape Tour" to the Rialto at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13. This is the perfect pre-Valentine's Day date night, in case you're stumped on ideas for your significant other.
- Gary Owen ("Black Famous") is bringing his "No Hard Feelings Tour" to Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave., at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1.
The top stories from the Arizona Daily Star’s Caliente section for this week.
