Queer NEPA hosts LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy benefit at Act Out Theatre in Dunmore on May 4
From a press release:
Local LGBTQ+ activist organization Queer NEPA will host a comedy benefit with national acts at the Act Out Theatre in Dunmore on Saturday, May 4 from 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Featuring comedians Ian Harvie, Felon O’Reilly, and Sarah Hyland-Rosenstein, the show is called We Are Not Saints, a name originating from Harvie and O’Reily’s recovery-based stand-up comedy tour.
Tickets, which are $20 in advance or $25 at the door (150 E. Grove St., Dunmore), are on sale now via Eventbrite. Proceeds will benefit the 501c3 nonprofit Queer NEPA Cares, and all are welcome.
Ian Harvie toured for years with Margaret Cho as her opening act before he became a cross-country headliner and groundbreaking transgender comedian. He made his acting debut as “Dale” in the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning TV series “Transparent.” He has also appeared in “Will & Grace,” “Young and Hungry,” and “Mistress.”
Harvie understands firsthand what it feels like to not be able to see yourself in someone else, and how his representation as an out, proud, happy trans* man may help other trans* and gender nonconforming folks feel like they exist. That is one of the reasons why he mentors numerous trans* and queer youth around the world.
Al Joyce, a.k.a. Felon O’Reilly, is a professional recovery stand-up comedian and motivational speaker. He constantly creates original work based on his unique experiences involving life on the streets, crime, alcohol, and substance abuse. O’Reilly has performed throughout the country at recovery events, AA conventions, treatment centers, and correctional centers.
For Joyce, his true dedication and passion lie in working directly with fellow addicts and alcoholics as they struggle to get and remain clean and sober. It is his hope that many of misconceptions of and stigma surrounding the disease of addiction will be revisited by those with who shares his very personal, sometimes tragic, and often courageous and always humor-filled story.
An accomplished actress and comedian, Sarah Hyland has appeared on such seminal shows as MTV’s “Punk’d” and “Mad TV.” Trained at Second City (Chicago and Los Angeles) and the ImprovOlympic, she is known for her committed character work.
In addition to her one-woman show being well-received, her character videos continue to garner much attention, some of which have acquired millions of views on YouTube. Hyland performs comedy regularly around the country and continues to write and produce videos for some of her most loved characters: La’Sarah, Kentucky Lightning, Gail, Martha Owens, and newest addition Jiffy Lube Rick.
Founded in June of 2018 out of the Pride Month series of the same name, Queer NEPA is a progressive, grassroots organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ equality and justice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Proceeds raised from this comedy benefit will help Queer NEPA towards its efforts to serve the community as well as create programming that is educational and uplifts local queer artists.
For more information, visit queernepa.org or e-mail info@queernepa.org.
