Performing Arts

GRAND PRAIRIE – The best ethnic comedians have learned to master a tricky and fascinating balancing act. It goes something like this: Find creative ways to mock the historical oppressor (the white man, in most cases) in a way that will make everyone laugh. Then zoom in your own cultural specifics with a touch of self-deprecation and a knack for riotous tragicomedy.

George Lopez, who performed the first of two shows Friday night at Nokia Theatre, knows this game well. His white characters come in two basic forms. There's the Valley-girl-like brat addicted to text messaging (MBM will now forever be known as "Mexican Behind Me." LOL). And there's the redneck, popularized years back by Richard Pryor; in Mr. Lopez's world he could be a Mesquite cop with a siren that goes "Yeeee-hooooo!" A bit reductive, but no less funny for it. And nice geographic detail.

Such bits are staples of Mr. Lopez's routine, but so too are quietly barbed portraits of fellow Latinos. "Mexicans don't care what gas costs," he explained during a brief touch down in current events. "We're only gonna put $7 in anyway." And why don't we see more Latinos running track? Blame the starter's pistol, which could elicit a hazardous response from the real deal.

He can play it both ways. There's a reason why his tour and HBO special bear the tongue-in-cheek name "America's Mexican."

The show opened with a long (too long) collection of outtakes from Mr. Lopez's eponymous sitcom, which broke impressive ground bringing fleshed-out Latino characters into American households while butting against the vanilla content standards of network television. The truth is Mr. Lopez does much of his best stand-up work in a shade of blue. Whether you're going for hard truths or just tickling the all-important juvenile funny bone, that might be the most important color of all.

PLAN YOUR LIFE George Lopez and opening act Bryan Kellen perform again at 8 tonight at Nokia Theatre. 1001 Performance Place, in Grand Prairie. $45 to $60. 214-373- 8000 or metro 972-647-5700.

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