Comedy Festival Brings Big Names to Nantucket
Laugh long and loud this weekend as the Nantucket Comedy Festival offers three big fundraising events three nights in a row at Jetties Beach.
Thursday, July 31, a Roast honoring Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller will be hosted by writer/directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly. Stiller and Meara, the stellar husband and wife comedy team, were on top of the comedy game in the 60s. Decades later Stiller's career was revitalized in the role of Frank Costanza on Seinfeld followed by his role on The King of Queens. Meara co-starred in the early 80s on the hit sitcom Archie Bunker's Place and later in the 80s on Alf. In 1986 they hosted their own sitcom called The Stiller and Meara Show. This hard-working duo has continued working regularly over the years, appearing in numerous films, television shows, and theater.
On Friday, August 1, a political night of comedy will be held under the tent at Jetties, featuring Will Durst and hosted by MSNBC's Chris Matthews, and on Saturday, August 2, festival organizer and comedian Kevin Flynn will host a New York versus Boston all-star Comedy Smackdown, culminating in the first annual “Man from Nantucket” award.
Guests of these three events will enjoy an opening cocktail party before each evening's show. Many other well-known comedians will be featured at these three main events.
Tickets for these fundraisers and for all the Comedy Festival events can be purchased at www.nantucketcomedyfestival.com or at the Theater Workshop Box Office in the Methodist Church, 2 Centre Street. Tickets can also be purchased on Main Street outside of Even Keel Cafe and at the festival tent, which is located on the back lot of the Dreamland Theater. Ticket prices vary for each event. For details visit www.nantucketcomedyfestival.com. Proceeds from festival events will go towards supporting local charities such as A Safe Place, The Nantucket Arts Council, and The Nantucket New School.
