Comedy is ticket for ‘Super Trooper’ actor/director coming to Cedar Rapids

It's a reunion for Jay Chandrasekar on the set of the sitcom “Animal Control,” since he is working once again with his close pal, Joel McHale.

“I’m so happy to be here with Joel,” Chandrasekar said while calling from Vancouver. “It’s a ‘Community’ reunion with Joel — and Ken Jeong is here, too. We’re all in a good funny mood telling stories and having a blast.”

Chandrasekar, who directed “Community” episodes, has plenty of stories from working on that show and others; starring in films such as “Super Troopers”; and directing movies like “The Dukes of Hazzard.” He’s bringing his stand-up comedy to the Olympic South Side Theater in Cedar Rapids on Feb. 22, 2024.

While working on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Chandrasekar spent considerable time with the incomparable Burt Reynolds, who was a humble and often hilarious icon when not in front of the camera.

“Not only was Burt the best, he had the most amazing stories out of anyone I’ve met in Hollywood,” Chandrasekar said. “I had an incredible time on the set with Burt. When I perform in Iowa, I’ll tell a lot of stories about guys like Burt and Willie Nelson. Willie is an amazing guy. I’ll tell ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ stories and ‘Super Trooper’ stories. I’ll also talk a lot about sex and drugs. I’ll get into the race stuff from the Indian perspective.”

While growing up in Chicago during the 1970s, the expectation for Chandrasekar was to attend law school. Both of his sisters became lawyers. However, he surprised his parents by informing them he hoped to become an entertainer.

“I gave myself three years for something to happen and it did,” Chandrasekar said. “One thing led to another, and then ‘Super Troopers’ happened, and my parents knew I would be all right. Thankfully, this all worked out for me.”

“Super Troopers,” which he directed, features the Broken Lizard comedy group, including Chandrasekar, Kevin Heffeman, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske. It’s a wacky, low-budget film made for $3.25 million. But it became a cult smash, generating $23 million at the box office in 2001.

The Broken Lizard troupe followed with other zany films, including “Club Dread,” “Beer Fest” and “Super Troopers 2.” Each of those movies stars Chandrasekar, who directed each flick.

“I've had such a great time working on these films,” he said. “I’ve had more fun than you can imagine.”

Some of his movies have been panned, but it’s tough to make comedy flicks.

“It’s true,” he said. “Dramatic films are far easier to make than comedy movies. The reason is that you don’t have to have this rhythm in your head. There’s a different rhythm with a dramatic film.”

Chandrasekar also has directed quite a bit of television. Aside from “Animal Patrol,” he has called the shots for such hit series as “The Goldbergs,” “Arrested Development” and “New Girl.”

“I love what I do or I wouldn’t have directed so many films and television shows,” he said. “It’s been an extraordinary journey.”

However, not many directors deliver stand-up.

“Doing comedy has always been a passion of mine,” he said. “There’s nothing like being in front of a live audience. There’s no net. I love going out there and taking a chance. But I also enjoy the variety of what I do, whether it’s directing, stand-up or acting. I also like to challenge myself as much as possible.”

Chandrasekar took a big chance when he bypassed law school.

“I believe you need to at least try to do what you really love,” he said. “I’m just glad I never had to go with the alternative plan. I ended up right where I needed to be.”