Despite Security Threats, Don Barnhart to Continue to Bring Laughter to Troops Around the World

Entertaining the troops has become a way of life for comedian Don Barnhart who once again brings his Battle Comics to the military stationed overseas. Don Barnhart and his Battle Comics Stand Up & Improv Tour will head to the Mediterranean in August to entertain the troops stationed overseas for Armed Forces Entertainment. Already this year, Barnhart's Battle Comics have performed in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Kosovo, England, Germany and Belguim.

Despite current threat levels, the Battle Comics continue to bring a piece of home to those serving in harms way. "The military goes to great length to provide security and protect us", said Barnhart. "But due to the recent attempted military coup in Turkey, those shows have been cancelled."

Inspired by legacy of Bob Hope, Don Barnhart has been producing and performing comedy shows for the troops since 92 when he first started with USO touring to Bosnia with the 49 Cheerleaders and the Gin Blossoms.

"I have seen what a laugh can do. It can transform almost unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful." - Bob Hope

Don Barnhart is a regular headliner on the Las Vegas strip with both his stand up and hypnosis shows and currently stars in the new sitcom & web series Class Clowns. Barnhart created the sitcom and it's loosely based on his experiences as a road comedian. The Las Vegas Review/Journal recently called Barnhart's show one of their "Best Bets" and last year he received the "Best of Vegas" award from Las Vegas Best Business.

Barnhart also stars in Finding The Funny with Brad Garrett and Louie Anderson and is the host and creator of The Freedom of Speech Comedy Series. Don appears in Tribute To Fluffy, Max Justice and is the author of the best-selling book on comedy Finding Your Funny. He was recently featured on the best of The Bob and Tom Show and is also a regular on Sirius/XM.

Don Barnhart is a best-selling author and teaches standup and improv at The Las Vegas Comedy Institute and is currently in negotiations to open his own show on the Las Vegas Strip.

Joining the Battle Comics Stand Up and Improv Tour are Linda Vu, Jeff Capri, Amanda Williamson and Keith Lyle.

Linda also stars in Class Clowns and is the co-founder of the Las Vegas Comedy Institute where she oversees the instruction of stand up, improv and comedy writing classes. Celebrating its 10th year in business, The Las Vegas Comedy Institute, features on going showcases developing the next generation of comedy super stars. Linda is also an actress, fitness sensation and improvisation player and contributor to the best-seller book on stand up, Finding Your Funny. Linda's keen eye for what's funny keeps her at the forefront of the comedy business.

Linda has toured before with Armed Forces Entertainment hosting The Laughter For The Troops Comedy Tour with shows in Bahrain, Qatar, Djibouti and Saudi Arabia.

Vu is also the owner of LV Fitness Academy specializing in fitness and self-defense has been a strong supporter of the military and brought her self-defense team overseas teaching women in the military Close Quarters Combat and assault prevention. Her body of work includes: Energy Hour CD, Power Abs DVD and Linda's Women Self Defense DVD along with starring in the indie movie China Dolls. She also recently modeled for Suzzi Swimwear and Dilliard's featuring Nike, Puma and Under Armor sportswear.

Jeff Capri has been on Comedy Central, Comics Unleashed and Star Search and Barnhart's first film China Dolls. Described by many as "energetically laid -back," Jeff Capri is one of very few second-generation comics working today. Jeff's observational comedic palette takes a different direction than his father's classic Catskill style. Jeff covers everything from pop-culture, biographical and political twists as well as a silly pun or two. The Los Angeles Times calls him "...consistently fun, spontaneous, smart and witty."

With over fifteen years as a world traveled stand-up comedian, Jeff has worked a wide variety of audiences. Ranging from national television, headlining Comedy Club chains, cruise lines, numerous military tours, (including Iraq/Afghanistan) and a favorite at collages and corporate events. *He has even preformed at a nudist colony! (Fully clothed.)

Amanda Williamson is a regular at the award winning Surf City Comedy Club in Southern California, and has appeared internationally, at the infamous Red Piano Theater in Jalisco, Mexico. Her outgoing and avant-guard improv style has audiences pining for more. Amanda's admiration for her active-military bother (Green Beret) has inspired her to bring her Improv-Olympic/Second City style overseas to entertain all branches of our military.

Keith Lyle has been in several commercials and TV shows, and films. His biggest role to date was having 4 lines in the blockbuster movie The Hangover. He may have had more screen time as a dead body on CSI, but hey- it's 4 lines in a better movie than Tom Hanks made that year. He also has roles in the upcoming releases Holding Lucid directed by John Bizarre and A Tribute to Fluffy directed by Micah Cyrus. Keith was honored to be selected as the feature act for headliner Don Barnhart Las Vegas show.

Keith currently co-stars in Class Clowns and is one of the head writers. In the summer of 2012, Keith made his 1st trip overseas to entertain the troops in Kuwait. In 2013, he went to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Jordan, Spain, Portugal and Greece on 2 separate trips in the Don Barnhart All Star Comedy Tour for Armed Forces Entertainment. He went overseas again in October 2014 for the 4th time.

In order to bring more comedy shows to the troops, Battle Comics is in need of extra funding. "The government only allocates a specific amount of money for their entertainment and when it's gone, there are no more shows so we need donors of all kinds to help underwrite and support bringing more quality entertainment to those serving our country," said Barnhart.

For more information, visit www.BattleComics.org.

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