The HA HA Hamptons Comedy Tour is returning to the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor on Sept. 14 with a much-acclaimed, four-women act entitled Moms’ Night Out. Showtime for "The Mother of All Comedy Shows" is 8 p.m., and tickets start at $37.
Producer Paul Anthony Mongelluzzo said the event gathers top-notch talent for a fast-paced 90-minute showcase that promises to incite laughter.
“We’re constantly striving to bring the best comedians available to come out and perform…Basically you'd have to go into Manhattan to see this level of talent,” Mongelluzzo said.
The highlight of the show will be the final act, Carie Karavas, a Long Islander with more than 20 years’ experience as a national headliner. She’s known for her work on “Comedy Central” as well as the Kevin James sitcom “Kevin Can Wait.” Describing Karavas as one of the most sought-after female comedians today, Mongelluzzo said, “She’s hilarious.”
According to information from Bay Street Theater, the lineup also includes:
* Laura Patton, a rising star on the Long Island comedy scene with a recent Vegas show under her belt.
*Talia Reese, from Great Neck, who left a career in bankruptcy law to become a performer on the NYC comedy scene, “The Wendy Williams Show” and SiriusXM. She’s appeared with notables like Nick Cannon and Ronny Chieng and was featured in the New York Post.
*Kendra Cunningham, who drew laughs on “Last Comic Standing,” “Saturday Night Live” and “Gotham Live” as well as the Boston Comedy Festival and more. Though a regular at top venues in Manhattan, she’s headlined around the nation.
The show purposely stars women to offer them a boost in a comic world that typically awards top billing to men.
“We came up with this idea about seven years ago. We brainstormed what can we do to help better showcase some of the really strong female comedians,” Mongelluzzo said of how Moms' Night came to be.
The host of the HA HA Hamptons Comedy Tour, Mongelluzzo himself is a name in the comedy world, sharing the stage with talent like Louie Anderson and Robert Klein. He also created The Long Island Comedy Festival, which is entering its 18th year and spreads laughter all over the region. HA HA Hamptons, only a few years old, is unique to the Hamptons area.
Mongelluzzo views comedy as a mission—to bring much-needed smiles in what can be a hard world.
“I always tell people at the end of the show that what you witnessed here tonight is an entire audience of people, all laughing and having a good time, proving how much we have in common,” he said.
The Bay Street Theater, a not-for-profit professional theater, offers an intimate setting of 299 seats, which according to Mongelluzzo, means “there isn’t a bad seat in the house." As a bonus, the Sag Harbor scene has its own historic charm as well as proximity to restaurants for patrons to make a night of coming out to see a show. Based at the end of Long Wharf, there’s the opportunity for sightseeing around what he calls a “very scenic, very Hamptons” venue.
Mongelluzzo suggested that HA HA Hamptons might be therapeutic in addition to fun.
“People need to laugh more," he said.
And while the show isn't raunchy, there may be some foul language, which makes it best for those 18 and older. For more information visit the website: baystreet.org.