Stand-Up Comedy Returns to the Saint John Theatre Company August 18

Stand-Up Comedy at Shakey's Comedy Club in Saint John Returns August 18

August 10, 2012, Saint John, NB –  The Saint John Theatre Company (SJTC) is welcoming stand-up back to its Princess Street location on August 18 with the Return of Stand-Up Comedy at Shakey's Comedy Club, presented by the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit. The SJTC fundraiser will star London, England's James Mullinger (star of the UK's hit movie review program "Movie Kingdom") featuring two of New Brunswick's top comics, Shane Ogden (winner of the Funniest Person in NB contest) and Neal Mundle (winner of the Hubcap Comedy Festival contest, 2012) and will be hosted by Sussex-based comic and founder of the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit, Lloyd Ravn (Top 10 Finalist in Sirius XM's Canada's Next Top Comic, 2011).

Comedy at Saint John Theatre Company

SJTC first welcomed stand-up comedy to their BMO Rehearsal Hall last year when long-time volunteer and VP of SJTC's Board of Directors, Kizzy Kaye, organized a fundraiser to commemorate the 50th birthday of her late husband, local comedian Jamie Williams. The show, for which the rehearsal hall was transformed into a New York-style comedy club (names "Shakey's Comedy Club", after one of Williams' most well-known characters), was a huge success for the theatre company, raising more than $4000 for their productions and to continue to update their space.

Making a guest appearance on last year's show was James Mullinger, one of the top up-and-coming comics in the UK, who called Shakey's "one of the loveliest venues I've ever performed in." This year, the comic, of whom the London Guardian enthused "the exuberant quality of his stand up makes him one to watch" will headline the show, along with returning MC, Ravn and NB favourites Mundle of Moncton and Ogden from the Saint John area.

The Theatre Company hopes to make this year's performance another solid fundraising evening for their company, to help buy much-needed equipment and to fund their ongoing productions of live-theatre featuring some of the best local and regional talent.

Show details:

Date: August 18, 2012
Location: The Saint John Theatre Company's BMO Rehearsal Hall, 112 Princess Street, Saint John 
Time: 7:30 PM  - 9:30 PM
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Available at the SJTC Box Office or at TicketPro.ca or by calling 652-7582

For more information, to arrange interviews or obtain photos: 
Lloyd Ravn, Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit, lloydravn@hotmail.com or 506-292-4956

Lise Driscoll, Saint John Theatre Company, lise.driscoll@saintjohntheatrecompany.com or 506-652-7582, ext 226

PERFORMER BACKGROUNDER

James Mullinger began his stand up career in 2005 and quickly made a name for himself as one of the best new comedians on the circuit reaching the finals of three major national comedy competitions including Jimmy Carr's Comedy Idol which resulted in a performance alongside Carr at The Comedy Store that appeared on Carr's DVD 'Stand Up'. Since then he has performed at the prestigious Just For Laughs festival in Montreal twice and has written about comedy for GQ, Men's Health, Manzine and Radio Times including interviewing his hero Jerry Seinfeld for the December 2009 issue of GQ.

James Mullinger

He performed his first full length solo show at the Camden Fringe in August 2009, titled James Mullinger Is The Bad Boy Of Feminism. The controversial subject matter and painfully funny anecdotes were a hit with both critics and audiences with The Guardian enthusing that "the exuberant quality of his stand up makes him one to watch". Every show sold out and Time Out described it as "very funny stuff" and it was named one of the best shows by the Evening Standard, Metro and London Lite. He toured the show at festivals all over the UK, released a critically acclaimed DVD and culminated it with two sold out performances at the Soho Theatre, which was the Critic's Pick Of The Week in The Sunday Times Culture. 
 
His second full length show James Mullinger's Schooldays sold out every night at the Camden Fringe in August 2010, the Leicester Comedy Festival in February 2011 and is now touring.
 
James continues to play clubs all over the country as well as in America, Canada and Australia. 

“Proud to be Hilarious” at the Fredericton Playhouse to Kick off Pride Week with 3 of Canada’s Top Comedians

July 18 2012, Fredericton, NB –  Fredericton’s Pride Week 2012 will include a performance by three of Canada’s top stand-up comedians, on Friday, August 3 at the Fredericton Playhouse at 7:30 PM. The show, titled “Proud to be Hilarious” is presented by the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit, and will be hosted by Andrew Johnston (Much Music’s Video on Trial, Bitch Salad), and features Megan McDowell (winner of CBC TV’s reality series Second City’s Next Comedy Legend) and will star Shelley Marshall (The Ron James Show, The Full Bawdy Comedy Show).

Proud to be Hilarious is presented by the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit, and organized by Bay of Funny founder, New Brunswick comedian Lloyd Ravn. Proceeds from the show will support the Fredericton Pride Committee.

“I was really excited about the idea when Lloyd contacted us ,” Charlie Benn, Media Chair for Fredericton Pride says. “We have never hosted a comedy night like this for Pride Week, and it seems like it is just the right mix of fun, humour, and kookiness that we love. It is something completely different than the dances, movie nights, and information sessions that we normally put on. I know I’ll be getting my ticket!”

Show details:

Date: August 3, 2012
Location: The Fredericton Playhouse, 686 Queen Street  Fredericton, NB 
Time: 7:30 PM  - 9:30 PM
Tickets: $25 (students and seniors: $15). Available at the Playhouse Box Office or at theplayhouse.nb.ca or by calling 1-866-884-5800

For more information, to arrange interviews or obtain photos:
Lloyd Ravn at lloydravn@hotmail.com or 506-292-4956
Charlie Benn, Media/Festival Chair for Fredericton Pride cbenn@frederictonpride.org

PERFORMER BACKGROUNDER

Andrew Johnston is one of the top up-and-coming comedians in Canada, touring with Yuk Yuk’s after being the Toronto regional winner in the inaugural year of the Great Canadian Laugh Off. He founded, hosts and produces- one of Toronto’s most popular monthly comedy shows, Bitch Salad and is well-known from his appearances on the popular Much Music program Video on Trial.

Nova Scotia’s Megan McDowell wowed fans and judges as the winner of CBC Television’s reality program Second City’s Next Comedy Legend which resulted in a contract with Second City’s Touring Company. McDowell has been dominating the Halifax Comedy scene recently, as a regional finalist in such contests as Yuk Yuk’s Great Canadian Laugh Off, Comedian Idol and Bounce FM’s Funny Factor.

Shelley Marshall has been nominated as Canada’s Best Female Stand Up at the Canadian Comedy Awards. Now Magazine identified her as their “Best New Discovery” and audiences around the world from South Africa to Spain to Scotland have discovered her amazing comedic talent for themselves. Shelley is a Second City graduate and was the opening act for two North American tours of Puppetry of the Penis. Toronto critics loved Marshall’s recent one-woman show, Hold Mommy’s Cigarette. Canadian comedy fans will recognize Shelley from her role on CBC Television’s Ron James Show.

Diagnosis Confirmed

I've been wondering why I'm always so tired lately. I've suspected that it's because my 4 year old, Alex, crawls into bed with us in the middle of the night every night.
I saw Jerry Seinfeld on Friday night in Saint John and he talked about the same thing. He said that having a kid in bed with you is "like sleeping next to a laundry bag with a live Collie in it." Great description. That's got to be why I'm so tired.
This morning I confirmed the theory when I woke up and, instead of my head, this is what was on my pillow.

Over Tagging

Dear Joe Fresh clothing,
Does a baby's shirt really need a care instructions tag this long?
Llove,
Lloyd

Meteorology and math

Dear The Weather Network,
If the probability of precipitation is 0%, how is it that we are going to get 1-3 cm of snow?
Llove,
Lloyd

Most Hypocritical Statement of 2011 Award!

I have announced the winner of the prestigious First Annual Most Hypocritical Statement of 2011 Award. Surprisingly it is not a politician. It is Clinton Kelly, the co-host of TLC's "What Not To Wear". This show is dedicated solely to making people feel badly about themselves if they do not spend thousands of dollars to entirely replace their wardrobe on an annual (at least) basis. So, check out what Clinton had to say about choosing clothes on an episode last night:

Note: No, I was not watching this show. My wife was, and I overheard this statement and made her rewind it so I could record it. It is one of the funniest things I've ever heard.

Press Release: Sussex Native and Award-Winning Comedian Tim Steeves in a Hometown Show‏

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sussex Native and Award-Winning Comedian Tim Steeves in a Hometown Show on December 22

December 2, 2011, Sussex, NB – Multiple award-winning comedian and comedy writer Tim Steeves will be appearing in a rare hometown performance in Sussex on December 22 at the newly renovated Sussex Regional High School Community Theatre. 

Steeves, who was born and raised in Sussex and has been performing stand-up comedy based out of Toronto for several years, has toured Canada and the world as a headliner and has worked with some of the most well-known comics on the planet, including Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Louis CK. He recently appeared on the grand opening gala for the Sussex Regional High School Community Theatre and announced his December 22 show that evening to the delight of all in the audience.

An Evening With Tim Steeves, December 22, 2011, Sussex, NB

Tim is well-known to comedy fans, having appeared on nearly every Canadian comedy show on television, including four gala shows at the world-renowned Just for Laughs festival in Montreal as well as his own comedy specials airing on CBC, CTV and The Comedy Network. He is a regular on CBC's Halifax Comedy Festival and Winnipeg Comedy Festival broadcasts and has been featured on six episodes of the television broadcast of the Canadian Comedy Awards. 

In addition to being one of the top performers in Canadian comedy, Tim is a highly regarded comedy writer, having written for some of Canada's most popular television comedy programs. He spent four years writing for CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and wrote for Rick Mercer's Talking to Americans special, the highest rated comedy show in the history of Canadian broadcasting. Since 2006, Steeves has been writing for the Rick Mercer Report, the highest rated comedy program on the air today in Canada. His writing skills have earned him multiple Canadian Comedy Awards, Gemini Awards, and the prestigious Rose d'Or for international entertainment programming. He was also nominated for an international Emmy Award.

Opening for Steeves in Sussex will be local comedian Lloyd Ravn, recent finalist in Sirius XM's Canada's Next Top Comic contest.

Event details:

Tickets: $20, available at Sobeys in Sussex (Gateway Mall - 138 Main Street)

Location: Sussex Regional High School, 55 Leonard Drive, Sussex

Show time: 8 PM

Running Time: approximately 90 minutes.

For more information, photos, or to arrange interviews: 

Lloyd Ravn: 506-292-4956 or lloydravn@hotmail.com