Chamber to Host Second Annual Comedy Show, April 29

Mark your calendars for the Second Annual Benefit Comedy Show being held on Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m. at Coastal Carolina University’s Wheelwright Auditorium. Benefiting the Conway Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Conway, the Comedy Show will feature an array of comedians, local and regional, that will bring spirited entertainment.

One of the show’s featured comedians this year is Al Yountz from Charlotte,N.C. Speaker, actor, clown, comic, magician, and writer, Al has been performing and speaking to audiences since 1982.  He has showcased his abilities from backyards to Fortune 500 companies, comedy clubs to appearances at Disney World.  His television credits include many appearances on the FOX network and Comedy Central. Additionally, he has also been featured on many local and national newscasts, as well as numerous radio programs.

Back by popular demand is Manny Oliveira who has been performing professionally since 1977 when, as an actor, he was cast in the lead role of the King at the Medieval Manor Dinner Theater. He performed in the role for one year before being asked to recreate the role inChicago at the King’s Manor. InChicago he not only served as the lead character, but was also artistic director. His performances were sold out 12 weeks in advance for six consecutive years. The King’s Manor subsequently became the longest running musical/comedy revue inChicago theater history and gained Mr. Oliveira recognition as one of the foremost authorities in the creation of concept Dinner Theaters. He went on to create three more such theaters in the midwest.

In 1984, Manny left the theater to concentrate on standup comedy as well as film, television, corporate training and other projects. His career immediately soared with night club, corporate and concert appearances nationally. With his improvisational style and astute observations on family, religion, relationships, and current events, he continues to be a favorite among audiences from all walks of life.

ThisRhode Islandnative, now Atlanta resident, currently tours the country as a standup comedian. He dedicates the rest of his time on other theatrical, film, corporate and writing projects including the completion of his screenplay, “Tom’s Bridge” and an original pilot for television.

Also making his second appearance at this event is MG Gaskin. MG was born and raised in Cheraw, South Carolina, a town that is cliche rural America. His mother was an owner/operator of a Western Auto Store, his father a Baptist minister, and MG just spent most of his childhood in trouble.

Noticing how well he could keep the attention of adults while telling stories about his adventures, MG’s mother told him then that he would either become a politician or a preacher.

He had intended to have a career in entertainment when he earned a degree in music, but thought he might have a better chance of moving out of his parents’ house if he worked in corporate America. But after being fired from five different jobs, he got the impression that a white-collar job might not be his thing.

Now MG is thriving as a comedian, with performance credits including the New Orleans Comedy Festival “Comedy Town Project,” headlining the current “Country Comedy Tour” and appearing on radio shows such as the Rick and Bubba show and the Madd Maxx Morning Show.

MG has shared the stage with Gary Valentine from “King ofQueens” Tim Wilson from the “John Boy and Billy Show” as well as Comedian and Actor Sinbad. Also, he can be heard regularly on Blue Collar Radio on XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Also returning to the show will be The Carolina Improv Company, headquartered inMyrtle Beach and led by Gina Trimarco. For those unfamiliar with the art of improv, the quickest way to explain it is to equate it to the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway? hosted by Drew Carey in which the actors create unrehearsed skits, games or songs, relying only on their quick wit and improvisational skills. For those familiar with Saturday Night Live, the skits are written based on improvising ideas and scenes and many of the performers also studied at Second City, including Tina Fey, Mike Myers, Stephen Colbert, George Wendt, Chris Farley, Bill Murray, Bonnie Hunt and John and Jim Belushi and many, many more!

Carolina Improv Company offers improv classes to adults and teambuilding and public speaking training to groups and organizations, in addition to public improv comedy shows and customized entertainment for private events. Improv classes are not just for actors because they provide the tools for anyone interested in learning how to think quick on their feet, be spontaneous, be more creative, become more flexible and much more. At Carolina Improv Company they like to say “funny just happens”.

Tickets to the Benefit Comedy Show are $20 each and will be available for purchase by March 1. They can be purchased directly at the Conway Chamber of Commerce office at 203 Main Streetin downtown Conway, from members of the Conway Rotary Club, or online at www.ConwaySCChamber.com.