The team at ReMain Nantucket, Nantucket Golf Club, Nantucket VFW, Nantucket Arts Council, Steve and Jill Karp, Marianne Stanton, Karen Rainwater, Franci Neely,Biff and Lynda Levy, Don Burns, Jack and Phyllis Piuggi, Ginger Gibas, Courtney Muller, DonnaBarnett, Maria Roach, RichardCarlstrom, Anne McCollum,Michael Robison

Kevin Flynn, Executive Director

Sarah Alger, President

Franklin Levy, Secretary

Tim Braine, Vice President

Amy Mart, Treasurer

Anne McCollum

Anne Marie Bratton

John Buckey

Donick Cary

Jill Karp

Lynda Levy

Gene Mahon

Chris Mazzilli

Karen Rainwater

Dan Wolf

ackfresh

Bartlett’s Farm

The Beachside at Nantucket

Carlstrom Productions

Cru

Current Vintage

Dreamland

Gypsy

Handlebar Café

The Inquirer and Mirror

Image Design Studio

Martin House

Nantucket Ballroom

Nantucket Perfume Company

Nantucket Skin

Something Natural

Washington Dermatological Institute

The Westmoor Club

BOARD OFDIRECTORS

THANK YOU

2015 SPONSORS

• Tickets available at the Dreamland box office or at www.nantucketdreamland.org• Patron Passes available for pick-up starting at 10 a.m., July 13 in the Dreamland lobby• Event Headquarters – 2 Union Street, Second Floor

The Nantucket Comedy Festival in support of Stand Up & Learn is a registered 501(c)(3)

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A fter the nastiest weather that I can ever remember in all of my 27 years (I have

a lot of sun damage), it is great to be out here on our beautiful island, enjoying wonderfully warm days and those amazing Madaket sunsets. But most of all, I’m excited that you’re here to share in the 8th Nantucket Comedy Festival! Not only do we get to have a great time and enjoy some big laughs, but the proceeds of the Festival benefit the comedy education program, Stand Up & Learn. The program—which is taught on-island, year-round to kids ages 8 to 18—helps to instill confidence, self esteem and countless other life skills in island youth. If you’re a believer in the power of laughter, you are in good company with the late, great Anne Meara. I have never laughed as hard as when I was hanging out with Anne. I am forever indebted to Anne and her husband Jerry Stiller, who supported the Festival since its launch. Yet for all the laughs I’ve shared with Anne, my favorite memory is the kindness she showed my daughter Caitlin, when my little girl was just five years old. The two sat holding hands, watching Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as Anne explained it all to her. Ever since, my daughter has loved theatre, Shakespeare and—like her dad—Anne Meara. Anne was an amazing friend, and I will miss her dearly. Many thanks to the Dreamland Film & Performing Arts Center, which hosted this past year’s Stand Up & Learn sessions. I’ve also got to send some sincere gratitude to my fellow comedians, who have donated their time and talent. Your hearts of gold make this event possible. And of course, thank you to the island community, which has once again risen up as a Festival ally. Huge thanks go out to our sponsors, Gold Patrons, Patrons and ticket buyers. Without you, the Nantucket Comedy Festival would not exist, and Stand Up & Learn could not impact kids’ lives the way it does. Now, get ready for some serious laughs!

Kevin Flynn, Executive DirectorNantucket Comedy FestivalStand Up & Learn

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

THURSDAY, JULY 16

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Stand Up & Learn Kids’ Comedy Performance

Women’s Night

Family Comedy Show with Lucas Bohn

What a way to kick off Comedy Fest! The students of Stand Up & Learn have been working hard to bring you hilarious original comedy sets. Come see the funny fruits of the kids’ labor, and witness the positive impact of this transformative comedy education program. Stand Up & Learn is the beneficiary of Nantucket Comedy Festival proceeds. 5–6:30 p.m. — Dreamland Main Theater — Free

The legendary evening continues, with four female headliners rewriting the laws of comedy. Yeah, we know it’s called Women’s Night, but men love this event just as much as ladies do. Come on out and join in the laughter. But fellas, be forewarned: you’re fair game for the comics onstage! 6–7:30 p.m. — Dreamland Main Theater — $95

Grab the kids and join comedian Lucas Bohn for an all-ages show that will have the entire family in stitches (the kind that don’t involve a trip to the E.R.). Come make a fun family memory, for free! 10 a.m. — Dreamland Main Theater — Free

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NANTUCKET COMEDY FESTIVAL

FRIDAY, JULY 17

2015 EVENTS

Caroline Rhea: Fifty Shades of Rhea

Cocktails, Cuisine and Conversation with the Farrelly Brothers to Benefit Stand Up & Learn

Women, Coffee + ComedyEnjoy a cup o’ Jo(anne) as you sit down with the comics from Women’s Night, who discuss their experiences as women in the male-dominated industry of standup comedy. Don’t let the word “panel” fool you; this event brings you as much laughter as it does insight. 10–11 a.m. — Dreamland Studio Theater — $10

Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s Aunt Hilda is back, this time armed with a brand-new one-woman show that brings you inside Caroline’s uproarious life as a middle-aged actor and mom. Catch the world premiere of Fifty Shades of Rhea, just as it begins its global tour. 6–7 :30 p.m. — Dreamland Main Theater — $95

Be part of an intimate gathering with ESPN’s Emmy-winning host, Bob Ley, as he interviews the wildly funny Farrelly Brothers, the comedic geniuses who wrote and directed such hits as Dumb and Dumber, Me, Myself & Irene, Kingpin and There’s Something About Mary. This event, which includes an auction featuring

one-of-a-kind items, benefits Stand Up & Learn, the island-based, year-round comedy education program for Nantucket children. A very limited number of tickets will be sold, so don’t miss out on this extraordinary evening. Patron Pass holders, your spot is already reserved. 8–10 p.m. — Private Residence — $1,000

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SATURDAY, JULY 18

NY vs. Boston Comedy SmACKdown

Comedy Writers’ Room

Ever wonder where comedians get all their amazing jokes? Head into town and enjoy some casual hang time with a handful of the most experienced comedy writers on the planet. Learn how comedy is conceptualized, created and packaged for your enjoyment. It’s like a live tour of a comedy factory!9–10 a.m. — Dreamland Studio Theater — $10

Time to play ball! The infamous showdown between Boston and New York comics continues, injected with more doses of funny than ever before! Comedians Jimmy Dunn, Don Gavin, Jon Fisch, Tony V (and some special surprise guests!) will storm the stage—dropping their Rs, then telling you to “fugged aboudit”—ultimately leaving you with the choice: who’s funnier, Boston or New York? Also at this event, we will honor the late, great Anne Meara, whose contributions to the world of comedy cannot be measured.6–7 p.m. Cocktails, 7–8:30 p.m. Show — Nantucket VFW,New South Road — $150

NANTUCKET COMEDY FESTIVAL2015 EVENTS

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The easiest way to recognize the writer-producer-director Farrelly brothers is through a list of their box office hits. Following their breakthrough film Dumb and Dumber, they went on to make such classics as Me, Myself & Irene, Kingpin, There’s Something About Mary, and more. Once you crack the surface, however, you’ll uncover two incredible human beings who love their families, go nuts for sports, advocate for people with disabilities … and just so happen to write world-class jokes.

*See schedule of events page 5 for details about the Farrellys’ event on Friday, July 17

You know Caroline as Aunt Hilda from the late 90s hit sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Prior to landing the role that would catapult her to fame, Caroline made her way to the forefront of the NYC comedy scene through club performances. With her larger-than-life stage presence, it didn’t take long for her to carve a name for herself in comedy. With her litany of outrageous

experiences as a Hollywood comedy actor and a first-time mom at 44, the world needed Caroline Rhea to make a one-woman show. And we’re the lucky dogs who get to see it first.

*See schedule of events page 4 for details about Caroline’s event on Friday, July 17

Cocktails, Cuisine and Conversation with Bob Ley*

WORLD PREMIERE: Fifty Shades of Rhea*

THE FARRELLY BROTHERS

CAROLINE RHEA

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In 1947, a wide-eyed, 18-year-old Irish Catholic girl from Brooklyn decided to embark upon a career in acting. Like many, she spent some tough, rejection-filled years struggling against the merciless world of showbiz. But this young woman was no ordinary performer. Anne Meara was destined to become one of the world’s comedy greats. Anne—best known as half of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara—spent 61 years married to Jerry Stiller, the great love of her life and her partner in comedy. When Anne met her future

husband in 1953, Jerry was already determined to be a comedy actor. It was he who convinced Anne to try her hand at making people laugh. In the late 50s, they began performing as a duo, with much of their material improvised from real life. Together, the two became an unstoppable comedic force. Just one year after launching their act in NYC nightclubs, the New York Times was raving about Stiller and Meara, calling them a “national phenomenon.” The duo began to frequent TV programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and their fame blossomed. Even after they retired as Stiller and Meara in 1970, the couple continued to work together as a comedy team, most notably in their uproarious Blue Nun wine commercials. Throughout her life, Anne offered her comedic acting and writing talents to dozens of films, TV shows and theatre productions. Though she wasn’t afraid to venture into drama work (Roger Ebert praised her dramatic chops, calling her 1997 performance in The Daytrippers “superb”), Anne always made her way back to comedy. She graced roles in big-budget comedies like Night at the Museum with her razor-sharp wit, in between

ANNE MEARAHonoring the Late, Great

Raising A Glass toa Comedy Master

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her regular appearances on show as diverse as Archie Bunker’s Place, All My Children, Sex and the City and Oz. Anne and Jerry’s children, Amy and Ben Stiller, both caught the comedy acting bug, and have built their own careers in the industry. But Anne’s influence reached well beyond her own children. She served as a pioneer for women in comedy, paving the way for the likes of Elaine Booster, Susie Essman, Joy Behar and Carol Leifer to light up the world with laughter. Even with fame, fortune, and prestigious acting credits to her name (not to mention multiple Emmy and Tony nominations, and a Writers Guild Award win), Anne never lost sight of her craft. She continued comedy acting and instructing young performers right up until her passing at age 85. Life was a stage to Anne, and she would liberally bestow laughter upon everyone fortunate enough to be touched by her spirit and comedic genius.

Anne MearaSeptember 20, 1929–May 23, 2015

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Stand Up & Learn is the Nantucket Comedy Festival’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit comedy education program. It empowers youth ages 8 to 18 to build self-confidence while learning to write and perform original stand-up comedy. This art form provides a wealth of skills that can be applied to the real world, including storytelling, creative writing, interpersonal communication and public speaking.

Stand Up & Learn is presented as a three-day workshop by Kevin Flynn, a professional comedian and executive director of the Nantucket Comedy Festival, and a number of other comedians. Since the 2007 inception of Stand Up & Learn, the program has been offered year-round and has reached over 250 island children.

Stand Up & Learn consists of a series of lessons that teach students the stand-up comedy writing process by “finding the funny” in their own life stories. Each student begins by choosing a humorous moment from his or her life, and then shaping it into an entertaining vignette, dotted with jokes and well-timed punch lines. With help from their expert instructors, the kids fine-tune and practice their stories. After going through the program, students get the chance to perform their original comedy material in front of a live audience at the Nantucket Comedy Festival, and throughout the year at the Dreamland Theater.

With your help, Stand Up & Learn has grown leaps and bounds, and we draw ever closer to our goal of developing a formal curriculum. Over the past year, the Nantucket Comedy Festival has worked with numerous curriculum specialists to help hone and enrich Stand Up & Learn’s lessons. These educators are formalizing the great work that has already been done, and crafting a program that can be taught by many more teachers.

Every child deserves the chance to build self-confidence and become

Engaging Nantucket Kids Year-roundSTAND UP & LEARN

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acquainted with his or her unique abilities. Stand Up & Learn’s dynamic road to such achievements has proven successful year after year. Join us at the Dreamland on Wednesday night for a free community show featuring some of our Stand Up & Learn students, and see what a difference this program can make in a child’s life.

Proceeds from the Nantucket Comedy Festival are a great starting point to raise the funds necessary to support our year-round Stand Up & Learn workshops, but they are only a starting point. To become a financial supporter of Stand Up & Learn or for more information, please make a donation on our website, nantucketcomedyfestival.org, or contact us at info@nantucketcomedyfestival.org. Thank you for your support; we rely on generous donors like you!

“Stand Up & Learn helped me get over my stage fright and made me more confident in myself. I am very much looking forward to the next time I do Stand Up & Learn!”

—Teddy Bradley, Nantucket student, age 12

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We take the headache out of getting here with fast flights

and easy connections through Boston, Providence

and White Plains. Daytrips to the Islands are a breeze, too.

Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Traffic? What traffic?

Enjoy the ride.

capeair.com 800-CAPE-AIR

Boston

Provincetown

Hyannis

Nantucket

Martha’s Vineyard

Providence

White Plains

NYC

New Bedford

Easy ground transport. Block Island

Seasonal routes.

Want to know Nantucket?

TURN TO THE SOURCE

The Inquirer and MirrorNantucket’s Newspaperpublished every Thursday

The Island’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine

nantuckettodayonline.com

ack.netBreaking News

as it happens 24/7

The Island’s Guide of

Where to Eat

Published by The Nantucket Media Group

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORKevin Flynn

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT +VOLUNTEER COORDINATORAlyssa Corry

FESTIVAL PRODUCERColin Stanfield GRAPHIC DESIGN +CREATIVE DIRECTIONLance Kelly, Image Design Studio

PROGRAM + PRESSSarah Teach

FESTIVAL INTERNRyan Lynch

TICKETINGDreamland Film & PerformingArts Center

TRANSPORTATIONCranberry Transportation

AUDIO, VIDEO + LIGHTINGDreamland Film & PerformingArts Center

PRODUCTION SERVICESMassAV

MEDIA SUPPORTNantucket Community Television

CATERINGcurrentVintage, Fusion of Flavor, Nantucket Catering Company

PRODUCTION CREDITS

The Nantucket Comedy Festival is a non-profit organization

that uses comedy to empower, engage, and inspire through

its annual Festival, year-round workshops, and Stand Up &

Learn program.

A community connected by laughter.

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION