Those always looking for opportunities to support the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces will soon have the chance to do just that while also having a night of laughs and entertainment.
On March 22, Monkey Face Comedy is partnering with Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey to host Marlton Comedy Night, a comedy show fundraiser to support members of the armed forces.
Monkey Face Comedy is a non-profit comedy group that produces fundraising shows for the benefit of charities. The charity they’re currently partnering with is Marlton’s own OYRSJ, which organizes and collects donated supplies and goods to send to members of the armed services deployed overseas and helps to promote and facilitate welcome home events for local veterans in the South Jersey.
Headlining the event on March 22 is Mark Riccadonna. Riccadonna is a New York City comic who has performed at major clubs throughout the city, performed for Armed Forces Entertainment and has entertained U.S. and U.N. Troops worldwide, performing in six continents while working with his childhood heroes.
The evening will also feature Marc Kaye, who has been on stage at top clubs in the Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York City area such as Catch a Rising Star, Helium, Comedy Works and Stress Factory.
The event organizer and founder of Monkey Face Comedy, Byron Druss, knows the value and appeal of standup comedy firsthand.
“I used to be in plays with my older son,” Druss said. “He got older and stopped, but I decided I still wanted to be on stage so I took up standup.”
Druss eventually realized a surefire way to get an audience was to start performing for charitable events.
“It was fun,” Druss said. “I started doing open mics and realized I could get more stage time by putting on a fundraiser.”
Druss was also a member of the Air Force Reserve, and while he counts himself lucky to never have been needed to be deployed, he said the least the public can do for anybody who is deployed is show an appreciation for that person and their family.
“I couldn’t have picked a better cause,” Druss said. “There are a lot of great causes to give money to, but this one is fantastic.”
Dave Silver, of OYRSJ, said the comedy night would be a great new spin on fundraising for the brave men and women of the armed forces.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” Silver said. “It’s a good excuse to get out for a few hours, and hopefully it’s going to raise some great money for our care package program.”
Silver also considers OYRSJ fortunate to have the support of people and non-profit groups such as Druss and Monkey Face Comedy.
“I’m grateful to Byron for the opportunity,” Silver said “There are tons of groups he could have offered to help, and to pick my group is pretty great.”
Druss said he’s more than happy to help charities by facilitating events such as Marlton Comedy night without making any money for himself because the causes are important and he likes seeing more people discover how much fun live comedy can be.
“You can go to a live comedy show,” Druss said. “You can laugh and have a good time. It’s not something a lot of people do.”
The event will also feature a sports and entertainment memorabilia silent auction and a live DJ.
“This is everybody’s chance to do something for the troops in one evening,” Druss said.
The show is on March 22 at 115 Evesboro-Medford Road, Marlton. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for the auction, and the show will last from 8–9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 online at www.monkeyfacecomedy.com, and buyers can use the promo code “yellow” to save $5 if purchasing tickets before March 15. Tickets will also be available at the door for $35.
