Frank O'Donnell to Join Bobby Collins at Ocean State Theatre, 8/17

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), the not-for-profit professional theatre company, which recently concluded its second successful summer season in Warwick, along with legendary comedy club, Catch A Rising Star, are proud to announce that local comedian Frank O'Donnell will open for nationally recognized funnyman, Bobby Collins at Ocean State Theatre on Sunday, August 17 at 7:30pm.

"We are thrilled that Frank will be joining Bobby Collins on August 17. He has been a friend of OSTC's for many years," said Amiee Turner, Producing Artistic Director of Ocean State Theatre Company. "Not only has he appeared on stage in both the staged reading of They Walk Among Us in commemoration of the ten year anniversary of The Station nightclub fire and as Big Jule in our recent production of Guys and Dolls, but The Keri Anne O'Donnell Memorial Fund, which was established to honor the memory of his daughter, who loved everything about performing, has presented a scholarship to a Camp OSTC camper for the past four years."

Frank O'Donnell, a Providence native who now calls North Providence home, is well known for his off-the-cuff humor and emceeing talents. He began performing as a standup comedian in 1982 and helped establish Periwinkle's, (Rhode Island's first comedy club), where he emceed open mic nights and hosted and appeared in the weekend shows.

Frank has appeared at numerous colleges and comedy clubs throughout North America and was recently voted the area's Best Comedian by the readers of a local publication. He has opened for such notable performers/groups as Michael Bolton, Chicago, the Harlem Globetrotters, David Brenner, and Richard Lewis.

In the early 90's, Frank hosted and produced The Laffin' Group on Rhode Island cable television. His material has been used on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and by comedy legend Bob Hope (in a special Rhode Island appearance in 1986).

As one of today's leading and most sought-after comedic talents, Bobby Collins' heartfelt humor engages audiences with a clever blend of characterizations and hilarious observations, to which everyone can relate. He takes the funny business very seriously - from starring in his own Showtime Special and being Rosie O'Donnell's predecessor pick to host VH1's "Stand-up Spotlight," to opening for such names as Cher, Dolly Parton, Julio Inglesias and Tony Bennett, to name a few. Topping Collins' first comedy CD "On The Inside," which showcased his wide-ranging observational material, his second "Out Of Bounds," earned a Grammy nomination. While live stage performances in New York, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City are forever expanding his list of faithful followers, he has also appeared in five feature films and numerous television shows.

Frank O'Donnell will join Bobby Collins for one performance only at Ocean State Theatre on Sunday, August 17 at 7:30 pm. The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. A limited number of VIP tickets, which include a post show meet and greet with Bobby Collins, are available for $40. All other tickets are $25 and are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.