Award-winning stand-up comedian, Christine O’Leary and her Team Green Light Comedy performers will take both the literal and virtual stage in Christine O'Leary & Friends: LIVE and Streaming! on Monday, November 1, 7:30 pm, at the Ridgefield Playhouse and via Zoom (doors open at 7:00 pm).
Tickets for the hybrid show are currently on sale ($25 each) and can purchased via the phone (203) 438-5795 or online. All in-house and online ticket purchasers will receive a Zoom link the day of the show. Audience members are invited to watch in person as part of the Playhouse’s comeback fall season, or on their devices as Christine's seasoned stand ups entertain with stellar sets. She's the Artistic Director of the Comedy Series at The Ridgefield Playhouse and this November graduation comedy show includes a mix of advanced and newer students. Masks are required inside the theater.
O’Leary has performed and emceed approximately 2500 shows, taught over 60 sold-out comedy classes and has graduated 250 comics at her post at the Playhouse, with many repeat students, who take an 8-week program to develop a tight, economized, 5-minute set -- the first increment of time given to new stand ups at comedy clubs.
The students bring weekly material to "Rip and Read" in class to determine winning content, then video conference one-on-one with O'Leary to finalize their material and hone their set. After two months, they're ready for an audience. Christine continues to make what she calls her "pandemic pivot," producing stage and live streamed shows — the adaptive stand up model. Hence, the November 1 format is flexible, welcoming both inside fans to cheer on their family and friends and at-home viewers to enjoy comedy from their couches. A true win-win.
"Comedy is a way to tell the truth, solve a problem and sell the material with a feeling. I love and live to share with people the greatest 'high' and joy I know -- standing up and getting paid in laughs! Anyone can do this; there's enough for everyone. For me, stand up is liberation and freedom. You can 'up your game' in any career," said O'Leary, Founder, Team Green Light Comedy
"You'll never see anything like it...they'll be born as comics RIGHT before your eyes," O'Leary added.
O’Leary's stand up class has been a staple at The Ridgefield Playhouse since 2013. The November 1 lineup includes comedians: Laurie Newkirk, Judy Eckert, Frankie Fuhrman, Stefanie Rosenberg, Liz Fabian, Barbara Miller, Lee Scharfstein, Joe Aulogia, Mary Teicholz, Muriel Dushok, River Shea, Edward Broccoli, Michelle Lee, Annette Maddox, Mark Mushin, Daryl Noble, Larry Pokora, Michael Zeitz, Diane Zukowski, Denise DiGrigoli, Tom Pruzinsky, Juliana Fodera, Gail Strickler and Aline Weiller.
“The benefits of Christine's 8-week program are many: refined poise, sharpened presentation skills, enhanced confidence. Stand-up comedy is an enviable craft she helped me hone — and own. I came away with these super powers, plus an unmatched kinship with peers who find the funny," said Aline Weiller, Legacy Stand-Up Student.
To contact Christine, e-mail christine@christineoleary.com, and for updates on her coaching, comedy workshops, and shows, visit her website christineoleary.com or connect with her on all social media platforms. She is an award-winning stand-up comedian, producer, host, personality, influencer, undercover roaster and corporate coach.
To purchase tickets online for Christine O'Leary & Friends: LIVE and Streaming! on Monday, November 1, visit the Playhouse website.