Night of Comedy to Benefit Bedford Community Theatre

The fact that the Bedford Community Theatre is having financial troubles probably won't strike you as particularly funny. However, this Saturday, two fine stand-up comics are doing a benefit for this bastion of drama and musical-comedy.

With luck, these two men, Bob Luparello and Vinny McElhone, will raise both spirits and some sorely-needed dough for BCT.

Hopefully, this will ensure the performance of many plays in the years to come. Once the money is raised and the stewards of the theatre traipse laughingly down to the bank. 

If the rent is made, maybe they'll be singing, too.

"The Bedford Community Theatre is in trouble, there's no other way to put it," said Ellen Cohen, who is both organizer of Saturday's fund-raiser, as well as a board member of BCT. "The town charges us rent on the theater. And if we're going to put on more plays in the future, we need to raise some money. It all goes to help defray costs of our shows."

Cohen, a Bedford resident and mom of two amateur thespians, said this is the right event, at the right time, to raise money for BCT.

"We had been thinking for a while, 'what was the best way to go about all this'," she said. "Comedy seemed to be the answer. January is such a depressing month; February is not much better. Why not lift peoples' spirits with stand-up comedy, while raising money we need for our rent. It seemed like a natural idea."

BCT is staging both "The Fantasticks" and "The Crucible" in the coming months, so this money is needed—rather urgently.

Cohen says she feels a certain obligation towards the theatre. If only for the fact that it's provided her family with so much enjoyment over the years.

"My daughter was involved a few years ago and recently my son had a part in 'Fiddler On The Roof,' she said. "I keep urging my husband to try out for something, too. He can really sing and he's such a ham. In any case, community theater has given my family so much pleasure, I felt it was time to try and give something back."

Which leads us to those two stand up guys, Luparello and McElhone.

"Bob and Vinnie, who are both well-known comics, have also known each other for years," said Cohen. "They often work together and help each other. Plus, Bob lives in the area and Vinnie went to Bedford Hills Elementary School. So, this benefit is sort of personal for them."

Luparello feels even more strongly about the situation.

"Basically the BCT has seen its budget cut and overhead that was usually gratis will now have to be paid for," he said, recently. "Money that they really don’t have. I have attended many of the plays over the years and recently my 10-year-old daughter has been in a couple of their productions and loved every minute of it. The company does a phenomenal job. It is, in my opinion, top-rate entertainment right in our own backyard."

The comic added, "BCT knows they have a standing offer from me. Anytime they need me, I'll be there."

Speaking of 'being there,' one caveat must be mentioned.

The Night of Comedy, it should be said, will be funny. What it won't be is PG, or, for that matter, PC.

"Just so you know," said Cohen, "these two guys are really funny, but this is not wholesome family humor. We want everyone who is mature and likes to laugh to come. But please understand, Bob and Vinnie can be pretty racy. Just know there's bound to be off-color language and ethnic humor."

Still, finally, Cohen thinks the night is going to be a gas. And you don't have to be a theater geek to want to come.

"The nice thing about the benefit," she said, "is, it's not a play. It's a couple of comics, getting up there to make people laugh. So, if you love theater and want to support us, great. If you don't love theater, but want to support us? Then this is going to be a perfect fit for you, too."

A Night of Comedy (to benefit Bedford Community Theatre) takes place this Saturday, February 12th at The Bedford Hills Community House. The show starts at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $25, which includes Wine Bar, Hors D'oeuvres and Dessert. For more info go to www.bedfordcommunitytheatre.org or call 914-244-0474.