By Karen Wolitzer
Now in its third year, the Ladies of Laughter contest has jump-started the careers of dozens of comediennes who have gone on to appear at comedy clubs and on television as a result of their participation in this unique program.
The event was the idea of Peggy Boyce, a former comedienne. I wanted this contest to be for every woman, says Boyce. Any woman whose husband, child, friend, or coworker has ever said to her, you should be a comedienne.' But I also wanted it to help people, so proceeds from the event will benefit 1 In 9, the Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition.
The event kicks off on July 21, at Mulcahy's in Wantaugh, where contestants will be given three minutes on stage to prove just how funny they are. For most of them, it will be the first time they're performing in front of a live audience. It should be lots of fun, says Boyce.
When the laughter subsides, eight or ten contestants will be chosen to advance to The Brokerage Club on July 24. There, they'll compete against each other for the chance to progress to Madison Square Garden, on August 2.
There will also be a competition for professional comediennes at The Brokerage Club that night. Each woman will be given five minutes on stage and the winner will also advance to Madison Square Garden. There, both women will compete with the winners of other competitions taking place this month in Westchester and Manhattan, in front of a blue ribbon panel from Comedy Central, ABC Entertainment, and other influential judges. The contestants will be judged on material, presentation, delivery, audience response, etc. The winners will receive $5,000 and are usually featured on Comedy Blend, on Comedy Central.
It's a fun event, says Boyce. And it's so great for the contestants. It's very hard for women to break into stand-up comedy. The competition is so fierce especially in New York. It's very, very tough to get stage time especially if you're a woman. Just the other day, a manager of a major club said to me that he didn't think women were funny. And that's why I'm doing this. It's a man-dominated field. Most of the club managers are men, the owners are men, and the comedians are men.
Yet, there are so many talented women I'm just trying to get them the respect that they deserve. The Ladies of Laughter contest cuts out all the work that women usually have to do before they can get on stage and brings them right in front of industry professionals. It's great because winners immediately get a lot of notoriety and a lot of attention. They begin working at comedy clubs and are sent out on auditions for movies.
So, if you crave the limelight and know in your heart that you're the next Joan Rivers or Wendy Liebman, call (212) 978-8844 and sign up today. You never know, you could be famous by the end of the month.
