Special Victim's Comedy Rock and Roll Tour Coming to New Brunswick

In the 1970's, the comedy room "Catch a Rising Star" featured rising comedians such as Robin Williams and Jay Leno, and actor Richard Belzer emceeing the whole thing.

"It was...one of the two main comedy rooms in Manhattan and it was Richard's room,'' said musician Joe Delia, a friend and colleague of Belzer's for the past 30 years.

At the time, Delia was playing piano for Pat Benetar. Their paths crossed, and they became longtime friends who will play a series of shows this summer on the "Special Victims Tour."

Delia's band Joe Delia & Thieves and Belzer, known lately for his role on "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," will be at the Stress Factory at 8 p.m. Thursday for a show that will feature Belzer's stand-up and Delia's musical talents.

In a phone interview Tuesday from Tappan, N.Y., Delia said the Stress Factory show was the first of the tour, but the duo did a few shows together in the later winter, early spring, to much success.

"They were just wonderful, people come out to hear this band anyway in this area, because we are known, but Richard came on and it just, really doubles it, '' he said.

In addition to his gig with Thieves, Delia is also a touring musician and known composer who has scored dozens of movies and television shows, including programs for Nova and National Geographic.

"My experience with Nova has really been great,'' Delia said.

Scoring three straight hours of music for a project can be daunting, Delia said, but the producers of the show have been very good to work with.

"The producers up there were and are just wonderful... creative, and of course very intelligent people who know...how to get the best out of their talent,'' he said.

Richard Belzer and Joe Delia & Thieves will appear at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Stress Factory, 90 Church St., New Brunswick. Tickets are $25.

For more information, visit the Stress Factory website at www.stressfactory.com