(1888PressRelease)
August 07, 2009 - Award winning comedian Barnhart will headline the tour and feature the comedic talents of Jeff Capri, one of the first comedian’s Barnhart picked for his syndicated TV series, The Freedom of Speech Comedy Show.
Barnhart is one of the top comedians working today. He is an accomplished actor, writer and director with numerous television and film credits including NBC, Comedy Central and MTV. Don recently wrote, directed and starred in the indie thriller, “China Dolls” and can be heard regularly on The Bob and Tom Show, XM and Sirius and is a veteran performer for The USO and Comics On Duty and has been entertaining the troops around the world for the last seventeen years.
Don is also the writer, director and star of the upcoming film, “Freeloader” and was voted the 2009 “Best Comedian” in Las Vegas and was also the featured comedian on MySpace. He is the creator and host of the syndicated TV series, “The Freedom of Speech Comedy Show” which was selected for the 2008 Comedy Festival in Montreal and Don won the 2007 American Idol Underground Comedy Contest as well as being voted “One of the top 100 comedians to see” 3 years in a row” by Entertainment Business Weekly.
Barnhart is also a contributing author on, “I Killed: True Stories of the Road by America’s Top Comics” which the N.Y. Times called, “Hilarious” and Don on is also an alumni of The Second City Conservatory program in Los Angeles and he is currently developing, “The De-Evolution of Man” a one man show and sit com based on his successful stand up comedy tours.
Don is a favorite headliner at the top comedy clubs across the country. He combines well-written, topical material and delivers it with a fast paced, high energy and animated improvisational flair that keeps audiences of all ages howling with laughter and coming back for more. Audiences say that Barnhart reminds them of a young George Carlin with the energy and characters of Robin Williams making Don funny on so many different levels...
The award winning Barnhart has shared the stage with comedy legends including Robin Williams, Judd Apatow, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Louie Anderson, Jamie Foxx and Jim Carrey. “When you reach a certain level of success, if you don’t share it, then it dies with you,” says Barnhart. “I think we all have a duty to give back.”
Barnhart’s company, Don Barnhart Entertainment is also producing a yearlong series of comedy tours for the troops all next year by getting sponsors. “It’s so important to keep the moral of our troops up and comedy shows really help. We decided to go to corporate funding to keep the tours going and the response has been unbelievable. Even in a tough economy, corporations realize the importance of the men and women serving our country and have gone above to help with these comedy tours”.
Barnhart has performed regularly for the troops over the last 17 years and this tour will mark his second set of performances with Armed Forces Entertainment. “I’m constantly on the road touring and so many times, soldiers will come up and introduce themselves and tell me the saw me in Afghanistan or somewhere and thank me for coming over. Once, this woman came up after a show and shook my hand and then gave me the biggest hug. She told me her husband was still serving overseas and saw me at his base and she wanted to thank me for going overseas to keep his spirits up. It made her feel closer to him, knowing that we were just there and that he was laughing and smiling for a few minutes. It’s amazing how we affect so many different people”.
“These comics are very talented and very appreciated on tour with us,” says Erik Ogilvie, Armed Forces Entertainment Circuit Manager for Southwest Asia. “Laughter really can be the best medicine to help build morale and camaraderie, and the troops love it every time.” Barnhart’s act is based on everyday experiences that audiences can relate to, and because he’s interacted with troops before, his makes for a unique performance. In fact, both comics on tour have family ties to the military, which lends a familiar air to their work. Capri has been touring for the military for many years as well and this is the first time in years Barnhart and Capri will get to join forces again. Both comics went to Second City and have toured together for the troops for years.
“By far the troops are the best audiences ever,” Barnhart says.“They don’t have time to laugh if it isn’t funny; they’re honest in what they like and don’t like and that makes you a sharper comic.”
What Barnhart hopes to gain from this tour is the chance to meet as many people as possible, make them laugh a little and bring a taste of home to some people who haven’t seen home in a while. “I always look at comedy as a sort of pressure release valve,” says Barnhart. “It allows you let off a little steam and you can get through the day.” “We’re so looking forward to going over there,” Barnhart says, “I can’t wait to stick my hand out and thank them and come home to tell people how our men and women are doing.”
Don Barnhart Entertainment is the premier booking agency for comedy shows around the world with emphasis on providing comedy entertainment to the U.S. Military personnel serving overseas bringing a touch of home and laughter to more than 500,000 troops annually.
Visit www.DonBarnhart.com for more information.
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