Dan's Papers - June 29, 2007 - The Long Island Comedy Festival Comes to WHBPAC

This summer, the Long Island Comedy Festival offers an alternative way to spend the evening. Instead of a snooty Hamptons cocktail party or an insufferably boring dinner date, spend your Saturday night falling out of your seat laughing. An impressive roster of 30 comedians joins the tour, five of which will perform on any given night at various venues across Long Island. Seeing live stand up comedy is a unique, interactive experience that leaves the old "dinner and a movie" date in the dust. Easier on the ears than a live band performance and easier on the wallet than a trip to the city, the Long Island Comedy Festival offers a delightfully different weekend diversion. Lighten up this summer with some good hard laughter.

The list of talented performers that will share the stage ensures that every performance will be a side-splitter. Joe DeVito, who has written for MTV, Comedy Central and the Oscar-nominated film Super Size Me, brings hilarious one-liners to the stage. Michael Somerville, an uproarious performer, has just put out his first comedy CD. Long Island native, Chris Monty has done improv, written for the Joan Rivers radio show and has appeared in several commercials. He returns to Long Island to take part in this comedy festival. Veronica Mosey, an energetic comedian who was recently featured on "The Dr. Phil Show," is mercilessly funny in her observations on everything from yuppies to boyfriends. The very popular Paul Anthony, best known as WALK 97.5's "resident comic," is guaranteed to be a riot. The edgy humor of Peaches Rodriguez will not disappoint any audience. She is known for her sharp wit and 80s break-dancing moves. Daren Dillon's perceptive and scathing humor attacks current social and political issues. Daren will certainly make you laugh while you think. John Larocchia has the singular distinction of being voted Funniest NYC Fireman on ABC's "The View." His comedy covers his years of experience as a fireman, husband, father and Italian - there is something just about everyone can relate to. Rob Falcone is a stand-up veteran. He has performed across the country for over ten years. He can also be serious every once in a while, handling roles on "Law & Order," "Third Watch" and "The Sopranos." These hilarious performers are just a partial list of the talent on board for the Long Island Comedy Festival. Other performers include, Andy Vastola, Moody McCarthy, Tim Krompier, Will Vought, Ellen Karis, Bob DiBuono, Stevie GB, Steve Lazarus, Mike Dillon, Mark Burritt, Eric Tartaglione, Peter Bales, Leighann Lord and David Reuben. If it's true that laughter is the best medicine, then this festival could cure anything.

The festival also supports local historical theaters, which are becoming a fading relic in many downtowns. The Long Island Comedy Festival helps these great theaters stay in business. It's not often that you can support historical theaters and laugh quite so hard, so take advantage of this opportunity to do some good and have a great time.

Some people take summer too seriously, when it should be time to have a few drinks and laugh 'til you cry. The laid back feeling of this festival and the hilarious antics of the comedians make the audience feel like they're at a backyard barbeque with all their funniest friends. If you really want to kick off a great summer weekend, the Long Island Comedy Festival is just the place to start. The Festival will run until September 1 so get yourself a couple of tickets this summer and prepare to hold your sides. Each show is about 90 minutes long, featuring five performers and a hilarious host. Although these comedians are not really known for their "blue" (comedian lingo for off-color) material, the show is designed for adults. So leave the kids at home and enjoy a different kind of night on the town, while supporting the second year of this great addition to Long Island's summer activities.