Drew Thomas Brings Laughs To 'Mad Apple' In Limited-Time Comedy Run

Stand-up veteran Drew Thomas, known for his appearances on "Last Comic Standing" and "The Late Show with Craig Ferguson," has joined the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s "Mad Apple" in Las Vegas for a limited run. 

Born in Jamaica and raised in the Bronx after moving to New York at a young age, Thomas brings his signature wit and hometown edge to the Big Apple-themed production at New York, New York on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

Drew Thomas made his "Mad Apple" debut on July 15, infusing the show’s dynamic blend of acrobatics, live music, and high-energy dancing with fresh humor and belly laughs. Thomas performs Tuesday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. through August 23, adding a bold new spark to the already electric Vegas show.

Thomas knew very early in life that comedy was something he wanted to pursue. At just 9-years-old, he was introduced to “Saturday Night Live” and saw Eddie Murphy on TV. That’s when the idea of doing comedy was born for him.

“At 9-years-old, it started to rumble in my head. Oh, that would be cool to make people laugh for a living,” Thomas shared with The Blast exclusively. “I went off to college, still didn’t know what I wanted to do, but always the class clown so people encouraging... you should get on stage.”

Thomas sold cars for a little more than 5 years and then decided to go back to school and get a degree in theater. While at school, he got his first shot at standup comedy.

“They hired this comedian to do a Valentine’s Day show, and I said it’s time. I said, let me open for this guy, and they were like, we can’t pay you because we are already paying the guy,” he continued. “I said I don’t want to get paid, I just want to do it. Got on stage, and that was 21 years ago. The rest is history, like they say.” 

Thomas, a regular at Brad Garrett's club at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, was mentioned for the gig at "Mad Apple," and he was all for it. He did a few weeks with the show and is now back for another limited time run.

Thomas' first impression of the show was "craziness."

"It's organized chaos, is what it is. I love it. I absolutely love it," he told The Blast. "I'm from New York. I grew up in the Bronx. I've seen other Cirque shows, but this show is like nothing else. It's nonstop. There's no break, no lull in the show. It's an hour-and-a-half of controlled chaos."

So what can the "Mad Apple" audience expect from Thomas' time at the show?

"My comedy is written to the human condition. I found through 21 years of doing this that people are more alike than we think. We like to think we're so different, or these people live here or there, these people speak this language," he explained.

"But at the end of the day, men do these things and women do these things, and people do these things, and I bring that to light."

Thomas explained that his comedy comes from his life experiences and observations, as well as his general take on life.

Thomas is booked and busy!

When his time at "Mad Apple" comes to an end, he's off for a new adventure. His last "Mad Apple" show is August 23, and on August 25, he leaves for a gig on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas through September 8.

On October 4, Thomas can be found at the Kentucky Comedy Festival in Paducah, Kentucky. Then he's off on some more cruise gigs from October 7 through the new year.

Thomas shared some advice for young comedians and performers who are hoping to make a career out of their talents.

"Don't stop. Don't listen to negative feedback," he said. "It's a marathon and it's your own race. You're not racing against anybody else. So one guy might pop off in a year, and another guy might in five years."

"Mad Apple" is a bit different than the typical Cirque show formula. It combines live music, street-style performances, magic, comedy, acrobatics - all with an edgy, New York City type of feel.

The high-energy show is nonstop action and includes a basketball slam-dunk scene, incredible acrobatics, dancing, singing, and more.

Before the action begins, audience members can purchase drinks from the stage bar and take some memorable photos while up there, as well as socialize with some of the cast members.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Cirque du Soleil website.