Marlon Wayans wears many hats but makes sure stand-up is in mix – San Antonio Express-News

Marlon Wayans is much more than a comedian he acts, writes, directs and produces but he makes it a point to keep stand-up in the mix.

Telling jokes and comic stories onstage helps feed all of those other pursuits, he said.

I just want to get better, Wayans said in a telephone interview. It allows me to get better at everything by doing one thing it works on character, it works on performance, on memorization, improv all the things you need as an actor.

Im trying to see where I can grow. Ive been doing it 30 years, and Im just getting better.

Wayans is wrapping up a four-city swing through Texas as part of his Microphone Fiend tour with a stop Saturday at San Antonios Aztec Theatre.

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He gets more from being onstage than simply sharper skills, he said.

Its a rush, he said. Its like surfing with the crowd, with the audience, every show. You just dont want to wipe out.

While hes on the road, Wayans has a bunch of other things on his plate, including an upcoming movie for Netflix.

Marlon Wayans, who starred in the 2000 horror spoof Scary Movie (pictured), is now making a Halloween comedy for Netflix.

Its a Halloween comedy where the Halloween decorations come to life, and me and my daughter have to save the town, he said. Its really funny. And then Im working on a couple of specials, and then writing a few scripts.

Marlone Wayans

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Aztec Theatre, 104 S. St. Mary's St.

Details: Tickets $49-$69 at livenation.com

Wayans also has a development deal with HBO Max, which is streaming a couple of relatively new specials. Marlon Wayans: You Know What It Is has him riffing on fatherhood and fidelity, among other things. And Marlon Wayans Presents: The Headliners shifts the spotlight to other comics.

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All the guys that opened for me over the years, I opened for them, and they were the stars, he said. It was nice.

The special includes D.C. Ervin, Tony Baker, Sydney Castillo and Esau McGraw.

Those guys are ready for a bigger platform, Wayans said. You just want to give them an opportunity to go score, to play to a huge crowd and on HBO Max and really broaden their audience.

The Headliners lineup also includes Wayans niece Chaunt Wayans. That continues the Wayans familys propensity to work together, an effort that has produced projects such as the television series In Living Color and The Wayans Brothers and the movies White Chicks and the Scary Movie franchise.

Thats the most fun, because you go to work and do what you love with who you love, he said.

dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN

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Marlon Wayans wears many hats but makes sure stand-up is in mix - San Antonio Express-News

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