A family secret, the U.S. Air Force, hip hop, mambo and non-stop laughs all come together in a hilarious night out, when comedian Kahlil Ashanti performs his award-winning autobiographical show Basic Training.
Direct from a sold out season in Canada, adorned with the New York Times Critics Pick 2008 accolade and just nominated for a 2009 Drama League Award for “Distinguished Performance”, Ashanti tours Australia with his critically acclaimed show having conquered the Edinburgh, Montreal, Vancouver and Melbourne Fringe Festivals.
Ashanti’s autobiographical show chronicles his time in the U.S. Air Force as a member of the elite entertainment troupe “Tops in Blue” where he learned to serve his country using his talent as his weapon. Playing 23 characters, each with their own distinctive voice and personality, including a foul-mouthed drill sergeant who habitually uses intimidation as his tactic, a fellow recruit who suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome, Air Force buddies, and fellow entertainers, mayhem ensues as Ashanti’s adventures put him in several life-affirming and life threatening situations.
The day before Ashanti leaves for boot camp, his mother reveals a shocking family secret that forces Kahlil to question his reasons for leaving. Along the way Ashanti comes of age, discovers his roots, and learns what the real “Basic Training” of life is all about.
When asked about how he thinks the Australian audience will respond to his show this time round, Ashanti says “I think the audience will love the show because we all have families and given the choice we might just trade some of our relatives in. Come on you know you would! Basic Training is about making the most of your family but also realizing that friends are the family that chooses you. And oh what a family it becomes...”
Despite winning the Best Male Performance award at the Melbourne Fringe Festival on his first visit, he admits the Australian audience had a bit of trouble pinpointing exactly who he was: “I also hope to not get mistaken for Eddie Murphy or Martin Lawrence this time around. On my last trip down under I actually signed a few autographs as Martin Lawrence. Gotta get it while you can right?”