New Comedy Show Tackles Racial Divide With Humor, Conversation

NORTH FORK, NY — As the nation stands divided, with tensions simmering and hate crimes and racism festering, a new comedy show is set to tackle the issues and create a bridge through conversation, understanding, tolerance — and humor.

Comedian Riche Byrne, known for his national and international performances and his work as the warm-up comic for "The Dr. Oz Show" has created "United We Laugh," a hilarious event designed to heal through hope and lead through laughter.

The new comedy show debuts on Tuesday, July 23, at Hellenic Snack Bar & Restaurant, located at 5145 Main Road, East Marion NY, with a delicious three-course dinner at 7 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $49; to purchase go to SJPComedy.com or call 908-414-7097.

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

The show features Byrne and a diverse mix of four well-known comedians —Angelo Lozado, Mike Britt, Rhonda Hansome and Brian Scott McFadden — representing all sides of the heated racial debate. The first act will feature the comedians performing their acts, infusing the evening with humor and intelligence as they spotlight thought-provoking racial issues.

Act II unfolds with all five comics onstage discussing “hot button topics”about racism and the issues that have polarized the nation in a heated political climate.

Audience members are encouraged to ask questions and give their opinions; in a ground-breaking new format, the audience will become a critical component in the show’s diverse canvas.

Not everyone who attends has to participate in the discussion, but all are welcome to do so.

Race relations have been the most explosive issue in America for quite some time — one of the biggest topics for debate in this country today, the issue has created an angry divide, Byrne said.

A major part of the dilemma is the inability to see the alternate perspective, he added. "We need to hear another’s point of view in a way that’s more relatable and less volatile. The only way to accomplish this, one that’s been overlooked, is through humor. Off-the-cuff honesty in humor has been compromised by a spike in sensitivity on all sides to the fear of offending. Humor is the most important tool in American society, and yet, the one component that seems to be lacking when it comes to race relations.”

Eventually, plans for United We Laugh," include a multi-entertainment, multi-cultural tour, podcast, Facebook Live program and television show.

“I have always been impressed by comics who bring bias and race into their acts but noticed it was very rare to see white comics do it. There’s a fear from all sides that is understandable and yet, regrettable. How can we possibly fix the problem of race in this country if we are going to exclude certain voices?” Byrne asked.

Instead, he said, all voices need to come together, really open up and discuss in truth what each group is feeling and why, "so we can turn a corner and truly make progress. People are frustrated because they think they are not being heard but the truth is, somebody else can’t see their perspective because they have not lived it. This creates anger and a divide rather than understanding. Laughter can help to fix that."

Byrne has always believed that if you are truly friends with someone of a different ethnic background, there is a much more honest and open debate because there is a trust and a love for that individual that doesn’t exist with someone you don’t know that well.

"The one thing that always comes to the forefront of a real honest exchange is laughter," he said.
After a lengthy discussion with Dr. James "Butch" Rosser, a renowned surgeon who grew up in the Deep South, Byrne was convinced the idea for the show could be groundbreaking.

Rosser believed from the first in the idea of a comedy show that could use discourse to break down racial barriers and create healing.

Speaking to Patch this week, Rosser said there is a need to encourage communication in the world today. "It's amazing how misunderstanding can generate fear. People just don’t naturally want to communicate. They have a silo mentality. We just bunker down and therefore, things stay the same."

However, he said, "If you are looking for a solution, look around for some type of medium that can actually transport communication and understanding. One of those things that's amazing is how we can join together and laugh. Comedy has a way of putting us on common ground."
Growing up in Mississippi, Rosser said in the segregated South as a black boy he was not able to drink from the same water fountain as white children. "We struggled to see signs that America included us, too," he said.

Comedy on television, though, was a symbol of change. "I never forgot the day, in my mind, when black people were recognized as an entity in a series.”

He saw a black man starring in the comedy action series “I Spy”, and found hope.

“He was recognized not as a black man or a white man, but as an American,” he said. “Comedy can span and interact across cultural differences — and that's what we need today."

Preparing for the show’s North Fork debut, Byrne has spoken to local stakeholders including members of the NAACP, Anti Bias Task Force, Council For Unity, and other community organizers, to glean an understanding of unique issues facing the East End, which stands at a crossroads, as does the nation and world.

A positive response across the board made Byrne realize that "there might be something more here than even I thought."

Comedian Rhonda Hansome, who has worked throughout her life to bring diverse groups together through theater, said she's thrilled to take the stage and discuss the issues. "The conversation is needed," she said. "I would like to keep the tinderbox from exploding and the lid from boiling over into anything worse, with the miscommunication, distrust and anxiety that is running so high in this country."

Of the show, she said, "My hope is to have a positive ripple effect."

George Giannaris, owner of Hellenic, agreed: "Rather than embracing people's differences in a way that is comical and loving, our nation has become a fearful one that is terrified to involve itself in matters of race. Comedy allows us to enter this uncomfortable realm with a little more freedom for conversation. In a setting that allows people to embrace one another's differences, there is greater potential for resolve. I'm excited to host this venue at Hellenic, to see firsthand a healthy discussion on a tough issue, with the hope that it will lead to better relationships and communication."

As the show evolves, Byrne said: "I think it's important because we are hoping to bring different groups together. Maybe through laughter, that's possible."

America has become too rigid, too serious, Byrne said. "This attitude has made our country dangerous. We need to open up and explore our feelings. Comedy is a unique way to do this. 'United We Laugh' seeks to offer understanding and insight into another person’s racial point of view, by shifting the focus toward funny."

For tickets and additional information, click here.