The
Power
of
-
BYADINAGENN
Rosie O'Donnell. Jerry Seinfeld. Eddie
Murphy. Ray Romano. These are just
some of the renowned folks that have
climbed the ranks of comedy right here
on Long Island before going on to share
their gift of laughter with the rest
of the nation.
Today's local standups are
mindful of the comedy royalty
that once called Long Island
home. Some of the current tal-
ent speak wistfully of the 1980s,
when the Island's comedy clubs
were prevalent in the local entertainment
scene.
Today, however, you could probably
count the number of clubs on one hand -
among them, Governors Comedy Club in
Levittown, The Brokerage Comedy Club in
Bellmore and McGuire's Comedy Club in
Bohemia. But the comedy scene on Long
Island is still alive and well, although the
forum now includes private parties,
fundraisers for firehouses, houses of wor-
ship, and more.
This summer the scene will ramp up a
notch, thanks to Paul Anthony.
I Anthony is one of those Long
Islanders who believes in the power of
laughter. He also cares deeply about the
future of comedy, and the state of our
18U June 2007
L~
aging downtowns, not to mention the
region's historic theaters.
That's why he's producing the ultimate
prescription - the second annual Long
Island Comedy Festival, a summertime
celebration of 16shows, primarily in the-
aters but also in clubs across Nassau and
Suffolk, from June through September.
The festival is much like a traveling road
show, bringing a night of comedy to the
audiences, with five comics delivering 15-
to 20-minute acts. That's ample time,
Anthony says, to showcase local stand-
up talent, support local theaters and give
Long Islanders plenty of chances to
laugh.
It's also a chance to embrace comedy's
roots, which stem from vaudeville, variety
shows that were performed back in the
early 1900sat regional theaters. As
Anthony points out, "Will Rogers performed
at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall" in Riverhead,
one of the venues for the festival.
At a time when people can get their
comedy 24/7,thanks to Comedy Central,
YouTubeand MySpace, comedy on Long
Island is going full-circle. And local comedi-
ans are thrilled.
"Performing on Long Island is great,"
says comedian Joe DeVito, who on June 13
will debut on NBC's "Last Comic Standing,"
comedy's version of
"American
Idol." "Long Islanders," DeVito
notes "are up for a good time."
The theaters too have embraced the
shows.
"We're really thrilled to be the only the-
ater in Nassau County" to host the comedy
festival, says Sharon Maier-Kennelly, the
executive director of The Jeanne Rimsky
Theater in Port Washington. "We watched
the evolution of the comedy festival through-
out Long Island last year. It's exciting for
theaters to band together to work in support
of arts and entertainment, including come-
dy:' Maier-Kennelly says.
Just what is comedy's draw? As it turns
out, the more you laugh, the better you'll feel.
"There's scientific proof. It's healthy to
laugh:' Anthony notes, referring to scientific
studies that point out laughter's ability to
bust stress, and even relieve allergy symp-
toms and lower blood sugar.
"Comedy shows are really therapeutic,"
says Donna Drake-Dunninger, creator of
Laff-Off, a comedy fundraiser that for three
years supported the Huntington Arts
Council. In an age of ubiquitous electronic
entertainment, "seeing a live show and
hearing that laughter connects you to other
people."
To stay sharp, comedians work their
material before a variety of audi-
ences, which is why mixing local gigs with work
New York City shows - and elsewhere, if - Anthony, for
possible - is critical. "It's kind of like cross- instance, serves as a sales manag-
training," DeVito notes. "Material that works er for WALK, and Stevie G.B. is an account-
in the city doesn't work" in other areas. ant by day - others tend to their acts nearly
Once they hone their 'round the clock.
skills before Take Peaches Rodriguez. She runs her
audiences across the office nine-to-five, serving asher own
country, it's tempting to agent. "I treat it like I would anyjob," she
see how a routine says. But on weekends she performs,
could, say, stretch into typically two shows on Fridays, two on
a gig on national tele- Saturdays. Devotionto her craft has brought
vision. her to the Mideast, where she's done three
"I would love to U.S.O. tours. As a woman of color, Rodriguez
host," says comedian says she's met her share. of obstacles,
Ellen Karis, who has including working harder for less pay, and a
an MBA in finance "one chick per show" rule, though that's not
but makes her living so much the case anymore, she says.
instead on a spiel Ofthe 20 comedians in the festival, three
centered around are women: Rodriquez,Karis and Veronica
growing up Greek-American. Karis Mosey,whose schtick includes yuppie parents
became hooked on standup after some and their "out-of-control toddlers;" Mosey
encouragement from an acting coach. "I'd recently appeared on "The Dr.Phil Show".
love a sitcom," she adds. But the truth is, Karis says she'sOsed to the ratio. "The
"there's nothing like a live audience. There's bad news is there's few of us:' she says.
nothing to hide behind. It's you, the mic, and "The good news is there's few of us! I get
the audience." more work because of it." Sometimes the
And that's exhilarating, said Will Vought, audience seems surprised when the 5-foot,
a 20-something comedian, who says he got 98-pound Karis walks on stage, ready for
his start in radio at 16,went on to work as a comedy. "Initially you .have to hit it harder to
junior staff member in the Clinton adminis- win them over:' she notes. Butthen, "funny
tration, only to return to radio morning is funny."
shows, which led to stage time. Initially, "I Performing in Long Island's theaters is a
was not very good," Vought concedes. "But great way to show off.a comedian's craft. As
that's the only way to develop. You get on DeVito puts it, "the audience is positioned
stage, and just go." , rightat you," and there are no distractions.
Though some didn't discover their inner- For comedian TimKrompier, who already
performer until later in life, Chris Monty at does voice work for radio stations across
age nine loved nothing more than standing the country, it's a chance to enhance his
up at family gatherings and telling jokes, career. With a routine rooted in his own
despite his parents pleas to "be normal and autobiography, Krompier hopes to produce a
play with your cousins." His parents would DVD at one of the theaters, to sell at shows
want to call it an evening, but Monty was and to promote his act.
just warming up for his encore. Now, Monty As for Anthony, he hopes to grow the
sometimes performs seven days a week festival, adding mOJeshows and playing
across the country, including the Borgata bigger venues, including Ti.llesCenter. But
Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City; he also acts perhaps jOst as importantly, he says, "I hope
in commercials. A man who built an act to get more recognition for standlip comedy
about living as an adult in his parents' home, for Long Island, and more opportunities
"I'm supporting myself for three years - with year-round."
health insurance:' he says. Formore information, visit
While some comedians perform after www.licomedyfest.com.