Lil Rel Howery Brings Laughter to Detroit with New Film and Show

Milton “Lil Rel” Howery, the Chicago-born comedian and actor, is set to entertain audiences in Detroit with his upcoming performance at the Sound Board in the MotorCity Casino Hotel on October 29, 2023. The event coincides with the release of his new film, “Haunted Heist,” a comedy-horror-mystery that he directed and stars in, which premiered at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, in September.

“Haunted Heist” follows five estranged friends who reunite in a house one of them intends to rob. The film features a cast that includes Stephen Blackwell and Brett Gelman, along with appearances by renowned comedian Tiffany Haddish and local Detroit comics Martini Harris and Kesha E. Howery expressed his pride in the project, stating, “I’m very proud of the movie; it’s so funny and creepy.”

Filming took place in Detroit over a span of 18 days. Howery highlighted the city’s vibrant energy as a perfect backdrop for the movie. He mentioned his excitement about working with a talented cast and crew, stating, “We shot everything in 18 days, and it turned out great.” Currently, he is awaiting a distribution deal to bring “Haunted Heist” to a wider audience. “Distribution tends to take time. There’s a distribution deal sitting there for us, so we’re trying to get it into more theaters,” he noted.

Howery’s career has evolved significantly since he first gained attention on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in January 2007. Influenced by icons such as Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy, he began his journey in stand-up comedy in Chicago. He later starred in the short-lived revival of “In Living Color” in 2012, followed by a prominent role in NBC’s “The Carmichael Show.” His Netflix special, “Kevin Hart Presents Lil Rel: RELeveent,” debuted in 2016 and further solidified his status in the entertainment industry.

In addition to “Haunted Heist,” Howery is set to appear in several upcoming projects, including the holiday comedy “Unexpected Christmas,” which opens on November 7, 2023, and the animated film “Animal Friends,” scheduled for release next May. He is also exploring more serious roles, taking on the character of a homeless war veteran in the upcoming film “The Bench,” which he describes as “my award movie.”

Howery emphasizes the importance of collaboration among comedians, stating, “I would like to see comedians working together more outside of just stand-up. A lot of times in film, they use comedic actors. They don’t lean into stand-ups anymore, which to me is crazy, ’cause we have a better feel for what’s funny for the audience.” He aims to challenge himself creatively while maintaining his comedic roots, saying, “I just think if you’re gonna do something, you’ve got to do it and see how far you can go.”

Lil Rel Howery’s performance at the Sound Board promises to be an exciting evening of laughter and entertainment, reflecting his unique blend of humor and storytelling. Tickets are available for the show scheduled at 8 p.m. on October 29, at the MotorCity Casino Hotel, located at 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit. For more information, audiences can visit soundboarddetroit.com.