Tampa's Sidesplitters Comedy Club to Welcome Donnell Rawlings and Flip Orley, July-Aug 2013

Donnell Rawlings is an overnight success a decade in the making. You've seen him on Comedy Central's award winning and critically celebrated Chappelle's Show as 'Ashy Larry', the 70's jheri curled 'Beautiful', and numerous other characters he's played. Donnell is the franchise player Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan wanted as a writer and prime time player on their team. Since Dave Chappelle had business to take care of in Africa, Donnell was asked to step into the huge shoes Dave left behind, and host the Lost Episodes. "Hilarious" is what Linda Stasi of The New York Post calls Donnell's performance as host.

His unique brand of observational humor earned Donnell co-hosting duties On Power 105's (NY's #1 Hip Hop and R&B radio station) morning show "Egypt and Ashy in the Morning". He is now co-hosting "The Big Tigger Morning Show" on WPGC in Washington DC. Currently, Donnell can be seen regularly on E!'s hit show "Chelsea Lately," MTV's new show "Hatin.'". His new 1 Hour Stand-Up "Ashy to Classy" premiered on Comedy Central October 23, 2010 is also available in stores on DVD. He also enjoyed reprising his character of Day-Day Price on HBO's Emmy-Award winning series "The Wire" during a 3-episode arc, during the show's final season (2007- 2008). In 2007, Donnell co-created and starred in Heavy.com's hit web series "From Ashy to Classy", in which Donnell portrays the loveable yet clueless culture critic, Ashford Lawrence. The series was picked up for a second round of episodes and remains one of Heavy.com most popular shows. Additionally, Donnell has starred in "Reality Bites Back" for Comedy Central and tours heavily with his stand up dates.

Donnell has performed his intelligently bold stand-up throughout the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean. He has appeared on award winning Law & Order series, Special Victims Unit (SVU) and Criminal Intent (CI) and has also appeared on NBC's Third Watch and the Emmy award winning HBO Special: The Corner. Growing up, this Washington, D.C. native used humor as a means of persuasion with the ladies and whipped out his wicked wit as a weapon of mass destruction in verbal battle. While in the Air Force, Donnell's wordplay shotdown more military personnel than the G.I. issued arms. When Donnell returned to the States and settled into civilian life, he decided to check out the local comedy scene in D.C. He quickly became the "official heckler" as he ate comedians alive from the audience.

One day a local comedian challenged Donnell to bring his act to the stage. Six months later Donnell was performing on HBO's Def Comedy Jam.From his weekly guest appearances on New York's Hot 97 Morning Show, to his role in the blockbuster Spider-Man II and his position as resident "Funny Guy" on the Ricki Lake Show, Donnell rise to stardom may not have been "overnight", but the journey has given him the life experience to keep his humor edgy and relevant. Donnell's peers have noticed his talent and potential. Neal Brennan, co-executive producer and co-head writer of Chappelle's Show: "Whenever we put Donnell in the game he's going to hit a home run." Jamie Foxx says "That guy is a beast!" Wayne Brady commented that Donnell provides "amazing work on the show" and Dave Chappelle feels that "Donnell brings so much to the table...this very funny guy makes it look natural and easy."

Since Flip Orley has bursted onto the comedy seen he has single-handedly reshaped the image of hypnosis from its vaudeville image, to an act hip and edgy enough for the MTV generation. Flip's appearance on the "Today Show" brought rave reviews and stopped traffic in midtown Manhattan. His one - man show has set comedy club attendance records from coast to coast.

Faithful fans and new comers alike find themselves screaming with laughter as Flip ignites his volunteers' subconscious minds and transforms reality. What sets Orley apart from others in his craft, is his true comedic ability, delivering a hilarious stand up set before unleashing his volunteers creative imaginations.

The Los Angeles Times attests that "...the beauty of Orley's show is that, because most of the humor comes from the volunteers, and no two
performances are alike."

The Dallas Morning News reports, "It's difficult to remain skeptical after seeing Flip transform a panel of well behaved audience members into a family of trailer - park dwellers from Arkansas, Southern accent and all!"

Orley has been seen on "Entertainment Tonight," "The Martin Short Show," "Comic Strip Live," the "Ricki Lake Show," Maury Povich" and "Space Ghost Coast To Coast." It is his uncanny way with subjects, his finely tuned power of suggestion and rapid - fire delivery that keeps audiences coming back for more. Unlike past generations of hypnotists, Orley does not humiliate his subjects for comic effect, but entertains by enlightening his audiences...often with lasting beneficial effects on those who have been inducted. After making them forget their own names, having them regress to age 5, or pledge undying love to complete strangers in a highly original version of "The Newlywed Game." Flip's subjects often awaken from their hypnotic trance reporting less stress, sleep better, have more energy, and a renewed libido!

Flip is adamant about "not" embarrassing his volunteers. "I want the audience to laugh with them, not at them," he says. "This is the purest form of improvisational entertainment you will ever see as the show rewrites itself every night, and the volunteers are my partners, not my victims. Each subject is treated with respect and gentility."

Orley's journey to becoming the country's hippest hypnotist of his time began when he bought a book in the 6th grade called "How to Pick Up Girls Through Hypnotism." Although the advice in that particular book did not pay off, Orley became obsessed with the subject, realizing the creative potential and learned everything he could about it. Flip studied psychology at University Of Arizona with the intention of becoming a clinical hypnotist. It was while majoring in psychology at the University of Arizona, however, that Orley discovered stand - up comedy.

Hypnosis took second place for a time as Orley honed his comedic skills in small clubs around the country eventually merging the two. The rest is comedy club history as marquees across the nation invariably read "Flip Orley/Held Over By Popular Demand , for up to 12 weeks at a time.
Realizing the value of the clinical side of hypnotism, Flip developed techniques in seminars and workshops to help people get in touch with their inner strength through the power of their own subconscious minds.

Orley's self - help CD's address a verity of issues such as, stress management, weight control, quit smoking, and sleep disorders. Dentists, doctors and patients who are allergic to anesthesia have called upon Flip's abilities. Orley assisted one dentist who operated on a patient for almost 2 hours without an anesthetic. The subject awakened without pain and thought the whole thing was a scam, until she looked into a mirror. He's been credited with helping to bring difficult pregnancies to full term through stress control, and aiding
couples in rekindling the passion in their relationships. Orley maintains that he teaches his subjects how to more successfully explore the creativity, imaginations and unlock their own subconscious minds.

When Flip takes the stage and rolls up his sleeves, his audience can expect two hours FUN and an experience they will never forget.

Side Splitters is located at 12938 North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, FL. Call 813.960.1197 or visitwww.SideSplittersComedy.com for more information.