The 2014 Ladies of Laughter contest has selected 40 comedians for its multi-comedy event after receiving an overwhelming number of entries from Michigan, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania, New York and Canada. The funny ladies will compete for cash prizes, comedy bookings and the prestigious 2014 Ladies of Laughter titles.
The first preliminary show will kick off Monday, July 21 at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City where 20 comedians will compete in two categories: professional and newcomer. The professional comedians are Adrienne Iapalucci, Marla Schultz, Sandy Ehlers, Katherine Williams, Vicky Kuperman, Kendra Cunningham, Leslie Ann Thompson, Nicky Sunshine and Joanna Briley. The newcomers include Liz Barrett, Fielding Edlow, Vernita Bostick, Erica Spera, Shapna Pal, Mindi Hecht-Yeger, Nicole Soul, Shelly Colman, Rachel Lenihan, Jessica Sager and Jocelyn Chia.
The following week, the remaining 20 contestants will perform on Thursday, July 31 at Levity Live in West Nyack, NY. Hosted by Patty Rosborough (2000 Pro Winner), the show will feature professional comedians Alycia Cooper, Rubi Nicholas, Linda Belt, Joanne Filan, Deb Farra-Parkman, Christine Hurley, Eileen Kelly, Christine Boudreau, Debbie Bazza and Robin Seigal Lakin. Comedians Cara Daniello, Ivy Eisenberg, Erin Harkes, Amanda Roy, Liza Acevedo, Ella Steinbeck, Kim Berns, Mary Jane Murphy, Mae Soleiman and Alison Baker will compete as newcomers.
Each contestant will be judged on audience response, originality, material and delivery by a panel of entertainment industry judges. Additionally, audience response will be measured and tabulated into everyone’s final score. The top three winners from each category at each preliminary events will advance to the Finale on Monday, August 11 at Gotham Comedy Club where they will perform before talent representatives including reps from Comedy Central and WE tv.
Past winners include Tammy Pescatelli, Jane Condon, Robin Fox, Dana Eagle and Dena Blizzard. A percentage of proceeds from the events will benefit Buddy Cares – an animal rights advocacy group that provides wellness and services to abandoned animals in need.
The Ladies of Laughter Funny & Fabulous national tour is underway with stops at the Stamford Arts Center (Stamford, CT), The Winery (Bucks County, PA), Goodwill Theatre (Johnson City, NY), The Carol Autorino Center at St. Joseph’s University (West Hartford, CT), Harris Center for the Arts (Folsom, CA), Mayo Performing Arts Center (Morristown, NJ) and Westchester Community College Academic Arts Theatre (Valhalla, NY).
The 2014 Ladies of Laughter contest is executive produced by Peggy Boyce and sponsored by Stage Time Magazine, Skinnygirl Cocktails and Renee’s Readers.
