Stand-up comic and Silicon Valley star Jimmy O. Yang continues his career rise with a trailer for The Opening Act about an up and coming comedian.  The trailer follows Will(Jimmy O. Yang) stuck in a desk job, while doing stand-up in various open mics on the side. Eventually getting a gig at a comedy show, and opening for his hero, Billy G.(Cedric the Entertainer). 

Written and directed by stand-up and star of Sullivan & Son, Steve Bryne the film is packed with stand-up comedians from the last few decades. Bryne has been around the comedy scene for awhile, but this is his first time writing and directing a feature. The film, simply based off the trailer, has an understated feeling as the lighting and shot composition are akin to a sitcom. Rather straightforward.

However, the trailer is intriguing as it depicts climbing the comedy ladder, starring many people that did just that. Aspirations and dreams aside, comedy is not an easy road to travel and this trailer does not shy away from comedians the struggle and the bombing. Cedric the Entertainer’s Billy G saying that Will bombed so hard his “ass should be on the TSA watchlist.” 

There have been some films as of recent to show the struggles in the climb, such as improv and broken friendships in Don’t Think Twice(2016) and the few scenes of comedy interwoven with a beautiful love story in The Big Sick(2017), but this is the first movie in awhile to solely focus on stand-up comics. 

The Opening Act stars Jimmy O. Yang, Alex Moffat, and Cedric the Entertainer. Also featured are former Disney star, Debby Ryan and stand-ups Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Ken Jeong, and many other great comedians. 

The film is set to release on October 16th.