Ladies of Laughter Comes to MPAC Tonight
By: BWW News Desk Sep. 20, 2014
Enjoy an evening of laughs from a decidedly female point of view when the Ladies of Laughter take the stage at the Mayo Performing Arts Center tonight, September 20, 2014 at 8 pm. Tickets are $25.
Scheduled to perform are Robin Fox (from Bridgewater, NJ), Leighann Lord, Alycia Cooper and Shelly ColmanLadies of Laughter is the biggest platform for women in comedy. Before 1992, New York City comedy show producer and comedienne Mary Jo Wobker was instrumental in giving countless women their start in stand-up comedy. After her sudden death, many of her friends created a women's stand-up comedy competition in her name. Funny women around the United States, Canada, England, and Australia can apply and see their careers reach the stratosphere. Four of the funniest women to join this acclaimed group are now headed to the Mayo Arts Center as part of their Funny & Fabulous Tour. For more information, go to ladiesoflaughter.orgRobin FoxThe "Real Housewife of New Jersey," Robin Fox was the winner of the 2012 Ladies of Laughter Competition held at Gotham Comedy Club, NYC. Robin Fox spent 17 years as a full-time mom and dieting. Then one day, Robin gave up dieting and decided to make her life long dream of being a comedian a reality. Today she is happier than she can ever remember and will never look back! Original and funny, she talks from her heart about the frustrations of suburban living, marriage, and raising a family. No longer is she willing to just be the funniest mom on her New Jersey cul-de-sac. This New Jersey mom is now a regular on the comedy scene playing at the top clubs in NYC and surrounding areas. Robin rose through the comedy ranks very quickly and has been a finalist at several prestigious comedy contests and festivals including Philly's "Funniest Comedian" contest, and Baltimore's "Funniest." She was a runner up at "The Laugh Off" at Caroline's in NYC. She also has been seen at the NJ Comedy Festival and at the NY Underground Comedy Festival. Robin can be heard on XM and Sirius satellite radio and has been a guest numerous times on the "Joey Reynolds Show" on WOR coast to coast. Robin has been on We Entertainment television and on Lifetime TV. Robin was a "Hot Topic" of Conversation on ABC's "The View."
Smart, sexy, savvy, and funny, Leighann Lord's "heads up humor" is stand-up comedy at its finest. Inspired by the brilliance of George Carlin, the smooth jazz style of Franklyn Ajaye, and the elegance of Rita Rudner, Leighann has crafted her own unique brand of Thinking Cap Comedy. It's no wonder she received the NYC Black Comedy Award for "The Most Thought Provoking Black Female Comic." And for two consecutive years, Leighann was Harlem Week's official comedian. (The only other comedian in Harlem Week's history to earn that distinction was Richard Pryor.) Leighann has performed around the world. In London she appeared at The Comedy Store, and on the BBC show Blouse and Skirt (think Politically Incorrect meets BET). In The Netherlands, she was a guest on the popular late night talk show Raymann is Late! and The Comedy Factory. A festival favorite, Leighann has been featured in the Trinidad, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Boston, Detroit and NYC Underground Comedy Festivals. She also entertained U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as troops helping the Haitian earthquake relief effort (Operation Unified Response)
In addition to being the 2014 Ladies of Laughter Professional winner, Alycia performs at major casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. A Maryland native, Alycia has appeared on Nick at Nite, the Oprah Network and on the Bethenny Show.Shelly Colman (2014 Ladies of Laughter Newcomer Winner)
In addition to being the 2014 Ladies of Laughter Newcomer winner, Shelly is a long-time announcer on WFUV-FM. When she's not on the radio or producing her own show "Brooklyn Comedy Nights" in her own hometown, of Brooklyn, NY, Shelly performs at various comedy clubs in the tri-state area.Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2014-2015 season is made possible, in part, by a grant the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support received from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation and numerous corporations, foundations and individuals. The Mayo Performing Arts Center has been designated a Major Presenting Organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
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