Comedian Nick DiPaolo Set for The Ridgefield Playhouse, 7/18

In this day of watered down comedy, Nick DiPaolo's brutally honest performances remind us of what great stand up should be: funny, socially relevant and a little bit reckless. As part of the Clark Comedy Series, Nick DiPaolo returns to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, July 18, at 8 p.m. with special guest Kendra Cunningham.

When DiPaolo moved to New York his sarcastic style was welcomed with open arms by New York audiences at such clubs as Catch a Rising Star, Caroline's and The Comedy Cellar. It was clubs like these where he honed his uncompromising point of view, which makes him not only a club favorite, but a true "comic's comic." His range has allowed him to perform on shows as tame as The Tonight Show, and as edgy as HBO's Young Comedians Special, Late Night with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O' Brien.

He was twice nominated for an Emmy for his writing on The Chris Rock Show. He has also had three half hour stand up specials of his own on Comedy Central and was one of the stars on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and a stand out on many Comedy Central Roasts.

Not limited to stand-up and writing, he has had guest starring roles on Lucky Louie, The Sopranos and many sitcoms, as well as in films including Artie Lange's Beer League. His strong political opinions and razor wit make him a perfect fit for talk radio as well. He is a favorite on both Howard Stern and Opie and Anthony and now can be heard on "The Nick DiPaolo Podcast" on riotcast.com.

Before you check out the show, visit Steakhouse Cellar Door (439 Main Street, Ridgefield) and receive a free glass of house wine or draft beer and a free dessert with your entrée when tickets are presented. Media sponsor for this show is 99.1fm WPLR.

Nick's latest CD/DVD "Another Senseless Killing" released earlier this year, was recorded live and the intimate setting captures the essence of what makes him stand out from other comics. "Another Senseless Killing" is 56 minutes of funny, ferocious, but always clever material. DiPaolo skillfully mines the humor in such light hearted topics as Nooses and Roadside Memorials while also educating you on the finer points of Vaginal Rejuvenation and the Evolution of Pornography. The night kicks off with Kendra Cunningham - a Boston native who absconded to New York to become a comedic writing, filmmaking, stand up comedy performing. She was the first runner up in the Ladies of Laughter Competition and has participated in the Boston Comedy Festival, toured with 5 Funny Females, and headlined and featured all over the East coast. She has appeared in sketches on Saturday Night Live,the Jimmy Fallon Show, The Tyra Banks Show. Her comedic blog Blonde Logic was referenced in the New York Times. She partnered with Vicky Kuperman in founding Malarkey Pictures and co-writing a web series and feature film. Their first short film, lonelygirl48, won the Boston Comedy Festival in November 2010. She is wicked psyched to be opening for Nick DiPaolo!

For tickets ($35), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.