Meet the Performers!

Carlos Alazraqui
    You may know Carlos Alazraqui as Officer James Garcia on Comedy Central’s “Reno 911.” You also may have seen him on his many appearances on VH1 and E Television reality series. He is also an established voiceover artist, having worked on numerous shows on Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network. Additionally, Carlos provided the voice talent on one of the most recognizable campaigns in commercial history, The Chihuahua for Taco Bell.
    Carlos has been doing stand-up comedy for over two decades. He’s appeared in several films, including “Reno 911!: Miami,” “Dark Portal,” a horror film with Lou Diamond Philips; “I Downloaded a Ghost,” (which has been airing on Disney Europe and is available to rent in the United States); and “Happy Feet” with Robin Williams. Carlos lives in the San Fernando Valley with his two dogs, Max Bear Jr. and Jacky O. He is a USTA 4.0 tennis player and an avid skydiver with 690 jumps to date! Find Carlos on the web at www.carlosalazraqui.com.

Michael Capozzola
    Michael Capozzola is a Bay Area-based stand-up comedian and cartoonist. The San Francisco Chronicle carries his cartoon "Cheap City" every week. Like his comedy act, the cartoon includes creative problem-solving for social ills and cheap solutions and quick fixes for life and city living.
    Each year, Michael produces and hosts the Cartoon Art Museum's annual “Comics for Comix” comedy fundraiser which he conceived as well.
    Born and raised in New Rochelle, NY, as a child Michael subsisted on comic books and chocolate until he took up comedy and caffeine. He created his own comedy studies major while at Ithaca College.
His cartoons and a clip of his comedy can be seen at www.Capozzola.com.

Gayla Johnson
   Gayla Johnson performs regularly at The Ha Ha Comedy Club, Comedy Store, Ontario and Melrose Improv, Ice House in Pasadena, as well clubs throughout the United States. She was the first place winner in the Uncle Clyde’s Stand-up Comedy Contest at the Ice House in Pasadena, the first place winner in “Positive I can entertain” Comedy Talent Competition at Wellsprings Church in Granada Hills, a finalist-placing in the Funniest Female in California Competition at Martini Blues in Huntington Beach and in Vino Piazza’s Last Women Kicking Contest in Lockeford CA. Gayla also placed first in the Ice House’s Mocumentary Comedy Competition. You can catch her on BET’s Comic View, Comedy Central, Sitv's Comedy Spotlight, and on Comedy Time.
    Gayla is currently featured in a pilot, “The Girl Next Door Comedy Tour” produced by Ralphie May of “Last Comic Standing.”Gayla has shared the stage with Chris Rock at the Comedy Store in London and Damon Wayans at the HaHa Comedy Club in North Hollywood. She’s also performed with: Eddie Brill, Ralphie May, Dat Phan, Don “DC” Curry, Marc Curry, Reynaldo Rey, Renn Woods and Sammy Shore. Visit Gayla on the web at www.GaylaJohnson.net or www.Myspace.com/gaylaj.

Charlie B. Earley
    Charlie B. Earley’s mantra in life is simple: “Life is too short to take most of it seriously.”
Charleen Barbara (Spencer) Earley was born in Eloise, Michigan on November 22, 1963. A few months later, after she’d seen all there was to see in Michigan, she headed west to East Oakland by train with her mother and older (by 10 months) sister. Her brother would join the party two years later.
    The gift of making people laugh began early in her “middle-child” life. Her first stand-up performance was in the 5th grade when she got up in front of her class and mimicked the teacher while her teacher’s back was to the classroom. The laughter was worth the reprimand.
    By 6th grade she made the leading role in Allendale Elementary School’s “Wizard of Oz.” Years later, not quite seeking stage work, it sort of presented itself when a friend suggested she do stand-up. Destined for center stage, it wasn’t until 1997 when Charleen made her comedy debut under the stage name, “Charlie B. Earley” at a German restaurant in Concord in front of all of five people. After reading her jokes hand-written on 3 x 5 cards, comedian Albert Vallejo asked “so how long have you been doing stand-up?” It was her first time up and she had impressed a seasoned comic. She caught the funny-bug.
    Charleen pursued her educational goals by earning an AA Degree in Liberal Arts, an AA in Journalism (both at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg), and a BA in English at California State University, Hayward. Her hope was to teach 3rd and 4th grade English, but she got journalistically side-tracked along the way.
    Her love for writing went professional (meaning she got paid for her words) in 1999 when she first started writing humor columns for the Brentwood Press called, “Funny Side Up.” She later landed freelance writing jobs with the San Francisco Chronicle, Diablo Magazine, Antioch Press, Tri-Valley Herald, Oakland Tribune, Stockton Record, and Good News.
    While comedy is her passion, Charleen makes her living as communications coordinator for Trilogy in Rio Vista and as a part-time journalism instructor for Deer Valley High School in Antioch. She continues to freelance for several Bay Area publications.
    Charleen is MC and co-producer of Comedy Night. Find her on the web at www.charleenearley.com andwww.funnybusinessmagazine.com.