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08/04/2016 03:48 PMGreat laughs for a great cause -- that's what you'll get from three top comedians coming to Matt's Mission Fund's Comedy at the Castle Saturday, August 20 to benefit Food Pantry of North Branford (FPNB).
The annual popular showcase of comedic talent has drawn crowds in years past, and organizer Lynn Riordan is hoping to see a record audience attend this year's show. Riordan founded Matt's Mission Fund seven years ago, in honor of her son Matthew Picciuto; and helped co-found FPNB in 2015. Earlier this year, she announced she would wrap up her role leading Matt's Mission Fund (see the story here ).
"This is Matt's Mission Fund's last event and I am looking for a record crowd," said Riordan. "Next year, the Pantry will take over Comedy at the Castle and North Branford High School will take over Matt's Mission 5K."
Riordan organized her final Matt's Mission 5K Road Race at North Branford High School (NBHS) in May. Matt's Mission 5K will go on, led by a new, NBHS/community based committee, with proceeds to benefit NBHS athletics. Riordan will remain involved with Matt's Mission as a board member and treasurer and also remains a FPNB board member.
With her trademark positivity, Riordan has been busy promoting Comedy at the Castle. The evening of laughs at Bill Miller's Castle in Branford is being offered for just $30 per ticket (cash bar; bring your own appetizers). Ticket holders will take in no less than three different comedy acts from proven pros: RC Smith, Billy Winn and Rick Roberts.
Smith is known in the industry as one of TV's top warm-up comedians, priming audiences for shows including his current gig with The Chew as well as seven years with the Rachael Ray Show and for his work warming up crowds for other prime time TV gigs such as The Colbert Show. His stand-up takes a turn from daytime laughs into that guy who leaves no one standing -- because they're roaring with laughter. He headlines shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and at Mohegan Sun Casino. Smith's rapid-fire stand-up can quickly turn to focus on audience members with hilarious results.
Funny Guy Productions LLC describes Billy Winn as "...the Norman Rockwell of American comedy. Everything he speaks about is exactly something that has happened to you personally at one time or another, and if it hasn't happened to you, it will! Billy's charisma and storytelling always has the crowd holding their sides and slapping their knees with joy." A national headline comedian for over 25 years, Winn's been voted the area's top comic four years in a row in the New Haven Advocate's "Best Of" poll. Locals have had the additional pleasure of dropping in on Winn as a radio personality during his 20 year career with the New Haven FM station WPLR.
Another local comedian-gone-great, Rick Roberts, splits his personality between his day job (an attorney) and taking to the stage as a comedian performing at Mohegan Sun and many other venues. The Cheshire resident, who originally hails from New York City, puts audiences away with observations including what his bio describes as a "...unique and jaded perspective on the frustrations of middle-aged life and modern technology."
Matt's Mission Fund presents Comedy at the Castle Saturday, Aug. 20 at Bill Miller's Castle, 834 East Main St., Branford, to benefit Food Pantry of North Branford. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; show starts at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, call Lynn Riordan at (203) 506-7577.