April Fools Hosts A Weekend Of Comedy At Town Hall Theater 4/1

Take six of the best comics in the state, throw in a cash bar and club lighting, and suddenly Middlebury's Town Hall Theater becomes the best little comedy club north of the Big Apple. Schedule the event for April 1, and what else do you call it but The April Fools?

"We've never done a show like this," says THT executive director Douglas Anderson, "and I think it's going to be a blast. There's a growing stand-up circuit in Vermont, and I'm hoping THT can become part of that."

The April Fools comics are making names for themselves at places like the Comedy Battle at Higher Ground and the Stand Up, Sit Down and Laugh series at Burlington's FlynnSpace.

On the THT bill: Tony Bates, emcee, has performed stand-up all over the state. He's been married to a Hair Stylist for 23 years, which, he says, has given him enough material for the next 75 years.

Nathan Hartswick is a founding member of the Vermont Comedy Club, and manages a website that informs fans about stand-up events throughout Vermont.

John Lyons now lives in Vermont, after doing stand-up in Chicago and Rhode Island. His work is off-kilter, intriguing, and thought-provoking. ("One benefit to being morbidly obese is you're virtually guaranteed to never be kidnapped.")

Tracie Spencer, a crowd favorite at four previous Higher Ground Comedy Battles, is a member of the Vermont Comedy Divas.

Avi Waring splits her time between giving massages, teaching dance classes, waiting tables, and raising a son - all of which have driven her to comedy.

Ahmed Weinberg, originally from Philadelphia, is currently a student at UVM, where he "hopes one day to graduate".

The April Fools will perform at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater on Thursday, April 1, at 8 pm. Cash Bar. Tickets are $10, and may be purchased at www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sun, noon-5 pm) and at the door. Mature Themes.

Photo Caption: Nathan Hartswick, Tracie Spencer and John Lyons join other Vermont stand-up comics for APRIL FOOLS at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater on Thursday, April 1. $10 Cash bar at 7:30, show at 8. Tickets: www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the box office and at the door.

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