Saturday March 29, 2008

"RI Comedy Fest packs a punch... line" by Frank O'Donnell for Motif Magazine
"Greet old-timers and newcomers at R.I. Comedy Festival" by Frank O'Donnell for The Valley Breeze


Charlie Hall, Frank O'Donnell, Ed Regine, and Ed Del Grande Backstage at the Fest

The 5th ANNUAL RI COMEDY FESTIVAL main event took place Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the STADIUM THEATER in Woonsocket. This year Charlie had his ol' buddy, comedy cruise king, and top LA headliner ED REGINE- fresh from his film debut with Tom Hanks in "Charlie Wilson's War"! He's a high-energy, loud, gut-wrenching, killer-act who started with us all at the old Periwinkles. And he's from Johnston. He packed them into a sold-out show a few years ago at the Odeum. Charlie Hall hosted the show, which also included a special appearance by another local comic who's made national waves, Ed DelGrande! (Although the waves may be breaking in your toilet).

Eddy started out Charlie Hall, Frank O'Donnell and the original gang from Periwinkles too- and thus you see this year's theme. He used to wow the crowd with his juggling and jokes and even earned the title of Showtime's "Funniest Person in RI Contest." Now he's published a book, appeared on dozens of TV shows, and writes a syndicated column on plumbling- all spiced with his unique sense of humor.

The first half of the show featured our BEST OF THE FEST Comedy Contest, won by Erin Cyr of North Kingstown, picked from our 4 or 5 faves from a mini-final on March 29th, all brought up by Frank O'Donnell who runs the open mike nights at Catch A Rising Star and runs a COMEDY BOOT CAMP for anyone who wants to learn stand-up. 5 minutes each and the audience picked the winner.

This Just In ... Best of the Fest Winner! ERIN CYR HOMETOWN: North Kingstown, RI

OTHER CONTESTANTS WERE JONATHAN YOUNG HOMETOWN: Smithfield, RI KELLY MORSE HOMETOWN: Cranston, RI BRIAN ROBERTSON HOMETOWN: Swansea, MA DAVE McDONOUGH HOMETOWN: Marshfield MA Best of the Fest Contestants Kelly Morse, Dave McDonough, Erin Cyr, Jonathan Young, Brian Robertson

 





See you at
next year's Fest!