BroadwayWorld.com Comedy Stories

VIDEO: Must Watch - Mel Brooks AMERICAN MASTERS on PBS May 20!

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:02:36 PST

We've got a MUST WATCH reminder for Monday night - American Masters Mel Brooks: Make a Noise, the newest film in the American Masters series, will premiere nationally Monday, May 20 at 9pm ET/PT on PBS(check local listings), and will be released on DVD by Shout! Factory on May 21.

Showcasing the Brooklyn native's brilliant, skewed originality, American Masters Mel Brooks: Make a Noise features never-before-heard stories and new interviews with Brooks, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Cloris Leachman, Carl Reiner, Joan Rivers, Tracey Ullman, and others. This career-spanning documentary of the man behind Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Spaceballs and of course the 2000 Year Old Man journeys through Brooks' professional and personal ups and downs, providing a rare and uniquely entertaining look at a living legend.

Brooks is one of only 14 people in history to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award.

On June 6, Mel Brooks will receive the 41st AFI Life Achievement Award, which will be broadcast on TNT and TCM later that month.

American Masters Mel Brooks: Make a Noise is a production of American Masters for THIRTEEN. Filmmaker Robert Trachtenberg, who made widely acclaimed documentaries on Gene Kelly, Cary Grant and George Cukor for American Masters, is the writer, director, editor and producer of Mel Brooks: Make a Noise. Susan Lacy is American Masters series creator and executive producer.

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The Chuckleheads Return to Charlotte Comedy Zone at the NC Music Factory Today

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

The Family Friendly Comedy Improv Musical Variety Extravaganza Starring the Chuckleheads Returns to the Charlotte Comedy Zone at the NC Music Factory today, May 19 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets for these performances are $10. A "Family Four Pack" special admission price of four for $30 is also available. Tickets can be purchased at the Comedy Zone Charlotte on the day of the show or reserved by contacting the Comedy Zone Charlotte at 980-321-4702. More information on the Charlotte Comedy Zone at the NC Music Factory can be found on their website at www.cltcomedyzone.com.

It's comedy, acting, singing, and dancing all made up "on the spot." Audience members of all ages are encouraged to join the Chuckleheads on stage for their heavy-duty family friendly audience participation activities.

If you and/or your family, friends, colleagues, and anyone else you know like the show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and/or just want to smile, laugh, and have a good time, this is the show for you.

So if you enjoy improv, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," "The Second City," "The Groundlings," "Upright Citizens Brigade" or you and/or your family just need a laugh after a long week or to start your new week, the Chuckleheads promise to tickle your family friendly funny bone. Whether you want to be a "guest star" in the audience participation activities or just want to be an audience member, the Chuckleheads and the Charlotte Comedy Zone promise you a wonderful family friendly time.

The Largest Creative Industry Mixer Opens Today with Over 800 Guests - All Proceeds Benefit ALS

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:51:13 PST

Rain or shine, in addition to the main studio we have 10 hospitality tents by Apex Event Production and plenty of free off street parking!

Saturday's photo set theme is a larger than life sized cartoon world where guests can act out several scenes from 100 hand drawn props! Customize speech and thought bubbles with dry erase markers!

Enjoy Creative Catering by Mario
GateWay Film Center will be giving away free guest movie passes!

The Columbus Creative Industry Mixer is Central Ohio's largest creative networking event, bringing together the who's-who of the creative arena on one highly anticipated night. Roharik Productions, commercial photography and video production studio, is hosting the 5th annual Mixer on Saturday, May 18th at 9PM. As a networking opportunity, with over 800 guests anticipated, attendees will be brushing shoulders with the industry's top art directors, designers, stylists, models, photographers, talent agents, and print, film, music and television producers. Entertainment, cocktails, and confectionaries by Skyy Vodka, Four String Brewery, Juliet Sky Red Wine, and Auts Tipse Treats, are complimentary, and the staged photo set fuels excitement and interaction within the crowd.
Dress to impress as Hola Columbus TV will be filming throughout the night for a segment that will air on the CW Columbus.

Like CCIM for event updates, photos & videos from past events and photos of the new photo set.

To see who is already coming and RSVP

This year we are pleased to announce that 100% of a suggested entrance fee of $5 will be going to The ALS Association Central & Southern Ohio Chapter.

About This Year's Top Sponsor
Gateway Film Center is central Ohio's first dedicated film center and features a diverse mix of independent and commercial film in an intimate and stimulating environment. The interesting film mix, Martini Shot Bistro, state of the art digital projection systems, guest friendly staff and sophisticated atmosphere make the Gateway Film Center the definitive cinema of choice for area film lovers.

No Name to Welcome The Summer Replacements and Comic Liam McEneaney, 5/31

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:11:55 PST

No Name" Comedy and Variety Show house band THE SUMMER REPLACEMENTS will bring their mix of old school R & B and rock and comedian Liam McEneaney (Comedy Central's "Premium Blend"), will bring the laughs to Brooklyn's Williamsburg Music Center (WMC) at a special show on Friday, May 31st.

Joining the festivities, which are scheduled to begin at 7:00pm, will be Brooklyn-based progressive garage duo "Even Twice." No Name producer Eric Vetter who has produced shows in alternative rooms and performance spaces throughout the city, promises a fun evening featuring an extended comedy set from Liam and an expanded "Replacements" lineup with a few surprise drop in guests.

Admission is $5.00 with a two-drink minimum. The Center is located at 367 Bedford Avenue. Subway: "L" to Bedford Ave. For additional information, go to www.wmcjazz.org or call (718) 384-1654. For more No Name information, contact: NoNameNYC@hotmail.com.

Roharik Productions Presents Columbus Creative Industry Mixer Today

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

The Columbus Creative Industry Mixer is Central Ohio's largest creative networking event, bringing together the who's-who of the creative arena on one highly anticipated night. Roharik Productions, commercial photography and video production studio, is hosting the 5th annual Mixer today, May 18th at 9PM.

As a networking opportunity, with over 800 guests anticipated, attendees will be brushing shoulders with the industry's top art directors, designers, stylists, models, photographers, talent agents, and print, film, music and television producers. Entertainment, cocktails, and confectionaries by Skyy Vodka, Four String Brewery, Juliet Sky Red Wine, and Auts Tipse Treats, are complimentary, and the staged photo set fuels excitement and interaction within the crowd.

Dress to impress as Hola Columbus TV will be filming throughout the night for a segment that will air on the CW Columbus.

GateWay Film Center will be giving away free guest movie passes to the attendees of the event!

Like CCIM for weekly event updates and photos & videos from past events.

This year we are pleased to announce that 100% of a suggested entrance fee of $5 will be going to The ALS Association Central & Southern Ohio Chapter.

Gateway Film Center is central Ohio's first dedicated film center and features a diverse mix of independent and commercial film in an intimate and stimulating environment. The interesting film mix, Martini Shot Bistro, state of the art digital projection systems, guest friendly staff and sophisticated atmosphere make the Gateway Film Center the definitive cinema of choice for area film lovers.

For more information, click here.

Max Dolcelli Headlines Ivoryton Alliance Comedy Night Tonight

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

It's laughs galore at the Ivoryton Playhouse tonight, May 18th, when the Ivoryton Village Alliance sponsors its biggest event of the year to raise funds for the spectacular Ivoryton Illuminations.

Doors open at 7:30pm and comics include Michael Barra, who was seen last year on The Playhouse stage as Edna in HAIRSPRAY, Irene Bremis and headliner Max Dolcelli.

Max Dolcelli has performed in Comedy Clubs, casinos and festivals in the U.S. and Canada, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, the Bahamas, and on television and radio. Max's animated performance and sharp material get the audience on board for a wild ride.

Admission is $30 for a seat at a table and $20 for balcony seating. Full cash bar and teacup auction. Call 860-767-7318 to reserve your seat today. For more information, go to www.ivorytonplayhouse.org.

Lewis Black 'The Rant is Due Tour' Tickets on Sale Today

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Following the highly successful spring leg of his 2013 "The Rant is Due Tour"; tickets for Lewis Black's 2013 fall leg go on-sale today, May 17(th) at www.livenation.com.

LEWIS BLACK, Grammy Award-winning stand-up comedian, is one of the most prolific and popular performers working today. He executes a brilliant trifecta as stand-up comedian, actor and author. Receiving critical acclaim, he performs over 200 nights a year to sell out audiences throughout Europe, New Zealand, Canada and United States. He is one of a few performers to sell out multiple renowned theatres including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City Center, the Main Stage at the Mirage in Las Vegas and most recently a sold out Broadway run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in NYC.

His live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for his audience. He is a passionate performer who is a more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon. Lewis is the rare comic who can cause an audience to laugh themselves into incontinence while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world.

LEWIS BLACK came into national prominence with his appearances on THE DAILY SHOW in 1996. Those appearances on THE DAILY SHOW led to comedy specials on HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime and Epix. In 2001, he won the Best Male Stand-Up at the American Comedy Awards. He has released eight comedy albums, including the 2007 Grammy Award-winning "The Carnegie Hall Performance." LEWIS BLACK won his second Grammy Award for his album "Stark Raving Black." Lewis has published three bestselling books, Nothing's Sacred (Simon & Schuster, 2005), Me of Little Faith (Riverhead Books, 2008) and I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas (Riverhead Books, 2010).

Fall 2013 Lewis Black Tour Itinerary Includes:

DATE CITY VENUE
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Sat, Aug 17 Sacramento, CA Sacramento Community Theatre
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Fri, Sept 13 Santa Rosa, CA Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
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Fri, Sept 20 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
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Sat, Sept 21 Roanoke, VA Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre
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Thurs, Sept 26 Wichita, KS Cotillion Ballroom
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Fri, Sept 27 Oklahoma City, OK Rose State Performing Arts Theatre
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Sun, Sept 28 Ft. Worth, TX Bass Performance Hall
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Thurs, Oct. 3 Knoxville, TN Tennessee Theatre
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Fri, Oct. 4 St. Louis, MO Peabody Opera House
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Sat, Oct. 5 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre
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Thurs, Oct. 17 Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center
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Fri, Oct. 18 Charleston, SC North Charleston Performing Arts Center
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Sat, Oct. 19 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center
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Sun, Oct. 27 Thousand Oaks, CA Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
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Thurs, Nov 14 Worcester, MA Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
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Fri, Nov 15 Frederick, MD Weinberg Center for the Arts
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Sat, Nov. 16 Ithaca, NY State Theatre
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Sat, Nov. 23 Wallingford, CT Toyota Oakdale Theatre
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For more information visit: lewisblack.com, facebook.com/lewis-black or tweet @TheLewisBlack

Live Nation Entertainment is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of four market leaders: Ticketmaster.com, Live Nation Concerts, Artist Nation Management and Live Nation Media/Sponsorship. For additional information, visitwww.livenation.com/investors.

Rainn Wilson (?The Office?) Speaks at Chapman University Today

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Rainn Wilson, the comedic actor best known for his regular role as Dwight Schrute on NBC's hit series "The Office," will be the guest speaker at Chapman University's 2013 Baccalaureate Service, which will be held today, May 17 at 4 p.m. in the Wallace All Faiths Chapel, Fish Interfaith Center on the Chapman campus in Orange. He will also hold a book-signing immediately afterward, with copies of his book "Soul Pancake" available for purchase.

An interfaith baccalaureate service is a traditional part of commencement festivities at many universities, and is open to all graduating students and their families who wish to attend. Chapman's 2013 Commencement ceremonies will take place Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18; see complete schedule.

All seats at this year's Chapman Baccalaureate Service are already completely reserved, but an overflow room with a live television feed will be available in the Bush Conference Center, Beckman Hall Rm. 404. The event is not open to the general public, but news media are welcome to attend and cover.

Wilson, who belongs to the Baha'i faith, is the creator of the popular website http://www.SoulPancake.com and author of the book "Soul Pancake: Chew on Life's Big Questions." His book, based on his wildly successful website, urges his audience to explore the bold questions and challenges of philosophy, creativity, spirituality, science and more, and, as Wilson puts it, "figure out what it means to be human."

This is Wilson's second appearance at Chapman University. He previously spoke to a sold-out crowd in Chapman's Memorial Hall in 2011, presented by the university's Baha'i community.

ABOUT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY:
Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University provides a uniquely personalized and interdisciplinary educational experience to highly qualified students. Our programs encourage innovation, creativity and collaboration, and focus on developing global citizen-leaders who are distinctively prepared to improve their community and their world.
http://www.chapman.edu
Follow us on Twitter: @ChapmanU

Tom Simmons Headlines Aurora Theatre Funny Fridays, Beg. Tonight

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Aurora Theatre Funny Fridays continues club comedy performances on the square in downtown Lawrenceville with nationally renowned comedian Tom Simmons. He is the 2009 San Francisco Comedy Competition Winner, an event which launched the careers of talents like Robin Williams and Ellen Degeneres. Opening is host of Aurora Theatre Funny Fridays, comedienne Debra Cole, an Atlanta favorite. See them both tonight, May 17 and the 18th, with shows at 7:15 & 9:15 PM. This season Aurora Theatre expanded the Funny Fridays schedule with the introduction of Funny Fridays: Saturday Edition. This is a comedy event not to be missed by anyone who appreciates live stand-up.

Tom Simmons is genuinely smart, deeply caring and outrageously funny -- all at the same time. Tom is not afraid to strip long held beliefs of their credibility with an unprecedented blend of searing logic and great jokes. He questions everything and everyone, respectfully, but he pulls no punches. In everyday situations as a father and husband, TV consumer, grocery shopper, tourist, arm-chair philosopher and average bystander, he finds comedy wherever he takes a good look. He has appeared on BET's ComicView, Showtime's White Boyz in the Hood, and Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. He publishes several podcasts: "Bully the Bullies!" and "The End Is Not Near." Simmons has also released several comedy albums. "I'm a likable misanthrope, a contrarian who believes we are doing it all wrong. And it's just fun pointing that out through jokes," says Simmons. Over the years, he has earned the respect of other comedians and his audience for his originality and depth.

Debra Cole, host of Aurora Theatre Funny Fridays: Atlanta comedy enthusiasts know Debra's wry humor from her many performances as a solo act and part of the Mixed Nuts comedy troupe, a Funny Fridaysmainstay. Born on April Fool's Day, Debra's sassy audience interaction and left-hook delivery are sure bets to bring the laughs and set the pace for visiting comedians, making Funny Fridays a desired destination for the country's top touring comedians.

Funny Fridays at Aurora Theatre will run tonight and Saturday, May 17 & 18 at 7:15 PM & 9:15 PM. Tickets $15. Call 678.226.6222 or visit www.auroratheatre.com. City of Lawrenceville Free Parking Deck attached to Aurora Theatre at 153 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA.

Nick DiPaolo Headlines at Marisa's and Treehouse Comedy Club Tonight

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Nick Dipaolo is probably one of the most authentic voices of comedy, whether on or off the stage. He's referred to as a comic's comic because there are no facades, no act. It's all Nick Dipaolo, all the time.

Nick started his illustrious comedy career after appearing on HBO's "Young Comedian Special", where his innovative and no-holds-barred comedic approach stood out from the crowd. Since Nick's humble beginnings, he was a regular on "Tough Crowds with Colin Quinn", many Comedy Central Roasts and appeared on numerous television shows and films such as "Louie", "Beer League", "The Sopranos", Leno, Letterman, Conan and "The Chris Rock Show". Nick is also a regular on "The Howard Stern Show", "The Opie and Anthony Show", "The Dennis Miller Show" and was the host of "The Nick Dipaolo Show" and "The Nick and Artie Show". He has since written and performed four standup comedy specials and four CDs. The most recent standup effort being a one hour Showtime special entitled "Raw Nerve".

Nick Dipaolo's honest and acerbic comedy has made him a sought after voice on stage, television, and radio for years and also earned him two Emmy Nominations for writing.

Nick Dipaolo will be performing his stand-up for two nights: at Marisa's in Trumbull tonight, May 17th at 9:00 , with tickets at $22.00, and at The Treehouse Comedy Club at Billy Tee's on May 18th at 8:00, with tickets at $20.00. Marisa's is located at 6540 Main Street in Trumbull, CT, and the Treehouse Comedy Club at Billy Tee's is located at 150 Sebethe Drive in Cromwell, CT. For tickets go to TreehouseComedy.com or call the Treehouse Business Office at 203.268.5857 or call the venues direct, Marisa's 203.459.4225 and Cromwell at 860.632.1342.