RICHOF to Honor Frank O'Donnell with a Comedy Roast at The VETS, 10/4

The Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame will honor Rhode Island comedian, writer, and actor Frank O'Donnell with a sizzling comedy roast on Saturday, October 4th, at 8pm. The roast will take place in The VETS new City Ballroom in Providence. A limited number of tickets are available. Proceeds will benefit the Keri Anne O'Donnell Memorial Fund. Tickets are $35, and can be purchased online at www.TheVETSRI.com, by calling (401) 421.ARTS (2787) or in person at the PPAC/TheVETS box office located at 220 Weybosset Street in Providence. Box office hours are M-F 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-2pm. The VETS is located at One Avenue of The Arts, Providence. The VETS on-site box office is only open on show days.

Frank O'Donnell has been a name and face around Rhode Island over 30 years, having begun his comedy career in 1982. O'Donnell helped to establish Periwinkles Comedy Club with fellow Hall of Famer, Charlie Hall. Throughout his career he has opened for acts as diverse as Chicago, Michael Bolton, David Brenner, and the Harlem Globetrotters, and has written material for Bob Hope's local appearance as well as material for Jay Leno on The Tonight Show. O'Donnell was voted 2014's Best Comedian by readers of the Providence Phoenix.

Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame Founder Rockin' Joe Herbert said of O'Donnell, "Frank O'Donnell is one of the founding fathers of stand up in Rhode Island. I say that for two reasons. 1.) It's true 2.) He hates when I say it. Frank was instrumental in the beginnings of stand up at the former Periwinkles Comedy Club in the early 80's and through his comedy boot camp, has helped hundreds of amateur comics write their first jokes and perform on an actual comedy stage. From stand-up comedian to newspaper columnist to radio host to actor. Frank has done a lot to make Rhode Island laugh. And how do we repay him? By roasting him until he sizzles."

"I'm honored to be honored. I can't quite say I agree with the selection of the board, but I'll go along for the ride. It's been a very interesting route I've traveled these 30-plus years, and I've met a lot of wonderful people along the way. I'm proud to have made some of them laugh, even," said O'Donnell.