Rich Guzzi explores the restorative powers of comedy hypnosis

How to go

Who: Rich Guzzi

Where: The Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek

When: 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $15 Friday and Saturday, $14 Sunday

More info: (937) 429-LAFF or www.daytonfunnybone.com

Artist info: www.richguzzi.com

As a stand-up comic, Rich Guzzi knew firsthand the restorative powers of comedy. Night after night he’d see audience members enter the club stressed out and leave rejuvenated after an evening of laughter. However, the Brooklyn native wasn’t prepared for how adding hypnotism to his show would change many lives, including his own.

Guzzi, performing at The Funny Bone Comedy Club on Friday through Sunday, recently answered some questions from his log cabin home in rural Nashville.

Q: How did you get into comedy hypnosis?

A: "I started doing straight stand-up. The hypnosis thing came later on. I just added it to one of my comedy shows one time and it went really well and, obviously, the money was ridiculous compared to being a regular stand-up. It was kind of seductive. It's really hard to not take gigs that are paying you, like, five times the amount."

Q: Was it difficult transitioning to the comedy hypnosis show?

A: "No, it actually helped me as a hypnotist. Most of the other hypnotists came from the magician background and they had a more clinical side but my timing was already there. I could do bits from a comedy aspect and then think of better stuff to do even though it might have been the same thing. I was able to just cut to the chase, streamline the words to get to exactly where we needed to be to make the laughs start happening."

Q: What has been most surprising about doing the comedy hypnosis show?

A: "I do inspirational stuff at the end of my show. Everybody gets to be involved in it and it's changing people's lives. I realized there was a lot more to it than just the comedy. I, obviously, want to make it a funny show because it's done in comedy clubs but my main thing is I just like helping people. It's very rewarding."