"Commodity Comedy Show"

Tsosie and friends leave 'em laughing

By Bernie DotsonThrough his Native American-themed comedy, Tsosie, who grew up in Chinle, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, shares anecdotes of his personal life, relying on situations and circumstances to make people laugh.

That approach took center stage on a recent Saturday at the downtown Gallup El Morro Theatre, as Tsosie, Natasha Kaye Johnson, Tatanka Means and Drew Lacapa headlined Gallup's first ever "Commodity Comedy Show," a nonstop two hour series of acting and comedy sketches.

"This is, basically, what I do, who I am," informed Tsosie. "A lot of what I do is based on things that I've gone through in my life."

About 250 people turned out for the show, the final leg of a 60-day tour that included stops in Albuquerque and Window Rock, Ariz., the capital of the Navajo Nation. The show is named after the superstar talent part and parcel of its production.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Native Plays and Other Stage Shows.