January 18, 2005

'Last Comic Standing' Comedian Dat Tien Phan Comes To Boise State's Special Events Center Feb. 27; Tickets on Sale Now

The Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) brings Vietnamese comedian Dat Tien Phan, winner of the NBC show “Last Comic Standing,” to Boise State University Feb. 27. The show will be in the Special Events Center; doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. with an opening performance by the VSA dragon dancers. Tickets are $5 with Boise State ID and $10 general admission through Select-a-Seat. Some material may not be suitable for children.   Phan was born in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1975. He and his mother immigrated to the United States and suffered financial hardship for most of his childhood. He grew up in San Diego, Calif., and attended West Hills High School in Santee, Calif.   Following the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, Phan realized that life was short and began to seriously focus on his stand-up career. He moved to Los Angeles and for a time lived out of his car. After being robbed at gunpoint while working at the Hollywood Improv, he realized he had nothing to lose and so he auditioned for the NBC reality show “Last Comic Standing.” He had almost no money and was surviving on bread, water and Top Ramen.   Phan became one of the five finalists on the reality show and on Aug. 5, 2003, he beat out comedians such as Ralphie May, Rich Vos, Cory Kahaney and Tess Drake to become the “Last Comic Standing.”   This event is co-sponsored by the Boise State University Cultural Center, the MLK Human Rights Committee, the Cultural Ethnic and Diversity Board and ASBSU.   -30-   Contact: Ro Parker, Cultural Center, (208) 426-4317, rparker1@boisestate.edu    Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Relations, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu