Pittsburgh is in the middle of a Regan frontal assault. First, Brian Regan headlined at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, and now his older brother, Dennis, appears April 19 and 20 at Pittsburgh's new comedy venue, Latitude 40 in Robinson.

Even though they share the same parents, they do not share the same view of the world.

Dennis Regan, who didn't start doing stand-up until he was 33, is a workingman's comic putting in the time and still looking for the big payday, while his brother plays to sold-out theaters.

Dennis has Brian's eagle eye for the absurd in the modern world and couples it with a little more edge. He's performed on “Late Night With David Letterman” and on Comedy Central. He also was a writer for the TV show “King of Queens.”

Question: You started stand-up late by comedy standards. Did that hurt you or are we truly a sum of all of our human experiences?

Answer: There are pros and cons to it. I brought more confidence with life situations when I first took the stage. The con is I might have missed a window of opportunity when the networks were giving out all the money for television shows. It was mostly positive, though.

Q: What made you decide to become a stand-up comic?

A: I had a bunch of jobs, and I was inspired by Brian. He was doing comedy about six or seven years; he was having a good time. Stand-up seemed like a great challenge. Brian was very supportive. This comedy is a very arcane thing and very few people have access to anyone in stand-up who actually knows what they're talking about. I had Brian.

Q: Are there any questions that journalists don't ask that you wish they would?

A: Great, now I'm doing your job for you. I would say what's the hardest part of my job?

Q: Well?

A: I would say the rudeness. Not even the hecklers — the table full of talkers, staring at their cell phones and dealing with it on stage. You have to fight hard to not get mad. I'm paraphrasing, but in the second page of his book, Steve Martin, said, “distraction is the enemy of comedy.”

Q: So, you got your start in Miami?

A: Yes, I was fortunate — there were clubs opening everywhere in 1987. I worked Dade and Broward counties on pretty regular basis. I got enough stage time that I progressed to headliner in about a year. A funny story: I called Brian and said, “Brian, you know I think my act is pretty much bombproof.” Brian said, “Uh, yeah, this conversation is over.” I bombed a short time later. Overall, my act has a broad appeal and I try not to book hell gigs. There are enough gigs that end up being hell gigs without knowing it up front. I always try to remember my job — entertain the audience. I work hard every show to make sure that happens.

Q: Were your parents supportive of you and your career choice?

A: Yes, they were. I was in business with my father when I decided to go to New York. I was worried I would be letting my father down. We had a little company called Tars and Stripes. My dad said, “Dennis, if I could tell jokes for a living, that's what I would do.”

Comedian Matt Wohlfarth is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.

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