Comedian Steven Wright Set for Patchogue Theatre's Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Benefit Tonight

Academy Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated comedian STEVEN WRIGHT to perform live at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (PTPA) tonight, June 23, at 8:30 p.m., presented by the Rotary Club of Patchogue in conjunction with the Island Outreach Foundation. Rotary Club of Patchogue's annual Steak & Cigar Dinner will be held prior to the show at neighboring restaurant Pera Bell Food Bar at 5 p.m. Ticket proceeds from both events will directly benefit Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center and more than 20 local charities. Steven Wright is a prototype comedian that many others continually try to follow. Beginning his comedy career at the age of 23 as a regular performer at Ding Ho's Comedy Club and Chinese Restaurant in Cambridge, Mass., Wright got his first big break when he was booked on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." Following his on-air performance, Steven Wright was invited to return the following week for a rare back-to-back appearance on "The Tonight Show," launching Wright's career into high gear.

His monotone voice and deadpan delivery of ironic and sometimes nonsensical jokes caught the comedy world's attention, resulting in appearances on "Saturday Night Live," "Late Night with David Letterman," as well as recurring guest appearances on "The Tonight Show." Wright went on to star in two HBO specials, "A Steven Wright Special" and "Wicker Chairs and Gravity."

In addition to comedy, Steven Wright's career has spanned a diversity of film roles ranging from, "Desperately Seeking Susan," Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers" and Nora Ephron's "Mixed Nuts," to his vocal contributions in Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs," "Babe 2: Pig in the City" and "The Swan Princess." Wright can also be seen on the hit FX series, "Louie," in which he is also credited as a consulting producer.

Wright has received many accolades for his work including an Academy Award for Best Short Film in 1989 for his film entitled "The Appointments of Dennis Jennings," in which he starred and co-wrote. He was also honored as the first inductee into The Boston Comedy Hall of Fame in December 2008, and has received Grammy nominations for his comedic albums, "I Have A Pony" and its follow-up "I Still Have A Pony."

Prior to Wright's live performance at Patchogue Theatre, the Rotary Club of Patchogue is hosting its Nineteenth Annual Steak & Cigar Dinner at Pera Bell Food Bar next door to the theater in Downtown Patchogue. This special fundraising event, along with the ticket proceeds from Steven Wright's performance, will directly benefit Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center and more than 20 local charities that the Rotary Club of Patchogue supports annually through its 501(c)(3) community service foundation.

As a community service oriented organization, the Rotary Club recognizes the challenges facing the community each year. The Club has decided to make a major commitment to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center, a vital healthcare center to our community.

Responsible for the entire southern tier of central Suffolk County. The hospital continues to strive to meet the demands and needs of the community residents. The development of the Knapp Cardiac Care Center and the services it provides are critical to the health and well-being of the community. The monies donated to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center will help fund the construction of the future Knapp Cardiac Care Center.

In order to grow the Rotary Club's fundraising efforts, the Club and its committee members decided to attract major talent as a performer and this year that performer will be comedian Steven Wright. By moving the entertainment portion of the event to Patchogue Theatre, the Rotary Club is able to accommodate more than 1,000 attendees. The entertainment is sponsored by the Island Outreach Foundation. Tickets for STEVEN WRIGHT LIVE! at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts are now on sale and available online at PatchogueTheatre.org, by phone or at the box office. Tickets range from $25 to $90 plus fee. For details and tickets to the Steak & Cigar Dinner portion of the event at Pera Bell Food Bar, please contact the Rotary Club of Patchogue at 631-981-4364. There are limited seats available for the Steak & Cigar Dinner.