‘Laugh In Peace’ to Bring Cross-Cultural Comedy to Hamden in May
by Staff ◊ May 06, 2011
The Detroit Free Press called it “one of the most uplifting cross-cultural experiences you’ll have this year.” The New York Times declared that they “had the audience convulsing.” And, that’s just what to expect when Christian Community Action presents Laugh in Peace, starring comedians Rabbi Bob Alper, Azhar Usman, and Rev. Susan Sparks, Thursday, May 26, at 7:30pm at Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden.
There’s a reason why Sirius/XM satellite radio plays Rabbi Bob Alper’s comedy bits several times daily, often sandwiched between Bob Newhart and Bill Cosby: Alper’s unique background. He is an ordained rabbi who served congregations for 14 years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary. This prepared him well for his 23-year comedy career, with wonderfully unique material presented in a way that’s intelligent, sophisticated, and 100 percent clean.
CNN called Azhar Usman “America’s funniest Muslim.” Trained as an attorney, Usman is a Chicago-based comedian, actor, producer, activist, and founder of the wildly popular “Allah Made Me Funny - The Official Muslim Comedy Tour.” He has performed in over a dozen countries on five continents. Usman was the subject of an episode of ABC’s “Nightline” and was featured on “CBS Sunday Morning.”
A trial lawyer turned standup comedian and Baptist minister, Rev. Susan Sparks is America’s only female comedian with a pulpit. She is the Senior Pastor of the historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City, and the author of Laugh Your Way to Grace: Reclaiming the Spiritual Power of Humor. Rev. Sparks has been featured on ABC and CNN and has performed in numerous comedy clubs, including Caroline’s in New York.
Tickets for Laugh in Peace are $25 if purchased before May 20 and $30 at the door. Sponsorships, which include tickets and advertising, are available. All proceeds benefit CCA’s programs aimed at helping families that are homeless regain their independence. To order tickets, call or email Al May at Christian Community Action at 203.777.7848 ext. 19 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or send a check payable to Christian Community Action to Christian Community Action, Attn: Al May, 168 Davenport Ave., New Haven, CT, 06519.
