Duncan Trussell Family Hour 747: Brad Williams
Apr 19, 2026
Brad Williams, stand-up comic known for specials like Starfish and his Cirque du Soleil work, talks touring life and the grind of comedy. He reflects on fatherhood reshaping priorities. Hear stories about performing for circus crowds, handling live emergencies, grief after losing his dad, and the absurd riffs and bits he’s developing.
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Headlining Cirque du Soleil Felt Like An Open Mic
- Brad Williams was hired to open Cirque du Soleil's Mad Apple and given full creative freedom to perform stand-up as himself.
- He had to win over theater tourists who expected acrobatics, making the gig feel like an open-mic challenge despite 18 years in comedy.
Uninvited Crowds Reveal What Material Actually Works
- Playing for audiences who didn't come for you forces tightening and true testing of material.
- Brad compared Cirque du Soleil crowds and tourists to the toughest early-room practice that reveals what really lands.
Performing After His Father's Death Became Healing
- Two weeks before debuting at Mad Apple Brad Williams's father died, and he moved to Vegas to perform while grieving.
- The ensemble cast supported him backstage, which made performing healing and helped him process loss in community.