|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
“The Ding Ho Reunion – A Benefit For Comedian Bob Lazarus, ‘One Of Our Own’” ARLINGTON, Mass., April 8, 2008 – Comedians who got their start at the famous Ding Ho Chinese Restaurant/comedy club in Inman Square, Cambridge, some 25 years ago, and are now some of the hottest names in comedy today, will perform a special fundraiser for fellow Ding Ho comedian Bob Lazarus on Sunday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Arlington’s Regent Theatre. Jimmy Tingle, who has produced several Ding Ho reunions starting with the 20th anniversary in 1999, is working in conjunction with comedian Tony V, Mike Clarke and Giggles Comedy Club and The Regent Theatre to produce yet another legendary night of Boston comedy. “The Ding Ho Reunion – A Benefit for Comedian Bob Lazarus, ‘One Of Our Own’” will help raise funds for Bob and his family. Lazarus was diagnosed with leukemia last summer, and has been in remission since his hospital stay in August, however he still has more outpatient treatments for the next ten months, which makes consistent work very difficult. The confirmed lineup of performers includes: Bob Lazarus, Steven Wright, Barry Crimmins, Lenny Clarke, Steve Sweeney, Mike McDonald, Tony V, Ken Rogerson, Chance Langton, Bill Braudis, Jimmy Tingle, and Martin Olson (on piano). Other special surprise guests, and Ding Ho alumni, are yet to be announced. For updates, please check with theater box office or web site. Audiences can expect side-splitting laughs at this tremendous show, featuring a powerhouse lineup. Each of these comedians has over 25 years of experience performing stand-up comedy. Rarely do audiences get to see them on the same show. Last November, many of these comedians gathered for a similar night of comedy and fundraising at Giggles Comedy Club in Saugus. Comments Lazarus: “I’m really touched. The show at Giggles – I think if they were going to rate the best shows of the year, I think Giggles would have made it, and I think this will be the same.” Arlington’s Regent Theatre has graciously donated a venue with greater seating capacity for this May show, and another chance for this tight-knit family of Ding Ho alumni to reunite, in support for one of their own. About The Ding Ho Comedy Club “In the summer of 1979, aspiring comic and New York native, Barry Crimmins, walked into a Chinese restaurant in Inman Sq., Cambridge, and persuaded the owner to let him try putting on some comedy shows,” describes Jimmy Tingle. “That conversation was the inception of the now legendary ‘Ding Ho Comedy Club,’ a launching pad for some of the funniest, brightest and most original comedic talent in America.” Comments Barry Crimmins, “Never again would I take the job of being team psychiatrist, but it was certainly a lot of fun while it lasted… The Ding Ho was the most hilarious people in the world put in the most hilarious circumstance ever. The results were predictably hilarious. The Ding was of the comics, for the comics, and by the comics.” About Bob Lazarus Bob Lazarus has performed extensively for close to three decades at numerous venues – from the “Comedy Nest” in Montreal, to “Catch A Rising Star” in Cambridge and “The Comic Strip” and the “Improv” in NY. His career as a comedian includes over 50 shows from 1994 through 2000 opening for fellow Ding Ho alumni comedian Steven Wright throughout United States and Canada, including The Orpheum in Boston. Television credits include “The Brotherhood” on Showtime, “Stand Up And Deliver” on Comedy Central, and “Funniest Person in America” on Showtime. He’s had the opportunity to work with some of the top names in comedy and music and has opened for George Benson, The Righteous Brothers, The Coasters, and The Del Fuegos, to name a few. “Laz” hasn’t lost his sense of humor and has worked up a lot of new material about his recent experiences. About performing, he says that “[his] doctors gave him the OK, ‘cause they knew that it was good for my soul… -- definitely,” he adds emphatically.
TICKETS AND THEATER INFO: The Ding Ho Reunion – A Benefit For Comedian Bob Lazarus, ‘One Of Our Own’ will play the historic Regent Theatre, “Arlington’s Show Place of Entertainment,” on Sunday, May 4 at 7:00 pm. Reserved seats are $50 Orchestra; $40 Balcony ($55 and $45 day of show). Located on 7 Medford St. (off Mass. Ave.) in Arlington, Massachusetts, the Regent Theatre is MBTA and handicap accessible with FREE PARKING across the street. For tickets and more information, call 781-646-4TIX (4849) or visit www.regenttheatre.com
|