A VIP reception featuring tasty inventions from a celebrity chef followed by a nearly sold-out and an uproarious stand-up comedy show may end up becoming an annual signature fundraiser for Newtown Education Foundation (NEF) after the group raised thousands of dollars for local educator grants January 21.The Newtown Bee(Newtown resident Kristopher Plummer) at The Dana-Holcombe House. that her group's event was an "amazing success," attracting more than 100 attendees to a VIP Party featuring Chef Plum The Idiot's Guide to Joke Telling, regaled the crowd with tales of helping his mother understand posting on Facebook, shopping for condoms at the Dollar Store, and locating the best website for dating.newtowneducationfoundation.org, or keep in touch via Facebook and Twitter.

Allyson Story, NEF chair, told

That opener was followed by the main event, which brought about 400 attendees into the Edmond Town Hall Theatre for a triple bill comedy showcase featuring Newtown's own Chris Moretti, who has in recent years traded the late night spotlight for a day job as principal of Hawley School.

Tony Liberati and colleague RC Smith to the ETH main stage Saturday night. While much of Liberati's act was drawn from experiences he claimed to glean from his one year as a kindergarten teacher, Moretti's set incorporated plenty of personal and localized bits about his wife and children, his first colonoscopy, references to a restraining order keeping him from shopping at Caraluzzi's, and even a shot at town government.

The comedy show also brought former educator and comedian

"We support education, you support education," Moretti related. "Your $45 and $65 ticket price is going straight to education, although I believe in a room down the hall, the Board of Finance and the Legislative Council are voting to take $10 out of the admission fee to move it to the town side."

Moretti said he faced an escalating amount of chiding from his Hawley students leading up to the event, because of his prominent photo on advertising posters around town, in a projected advertisement before recent town hall movies, and a huge banner hung near the school on the Church Hill Road train trestle.

"Welcome to the big show, and thank God it's here - it's been a month of 'Mr Moretti I see your face at the store,' 'Mr Moretti I see your face on the screen,' 'Mr Moretti, I see your face on the bridge.' It's been a month of freaky Where's Waldo," he said opening his set.

Moretti also drew thunderous laughter during a bit about his 23-year marriage.

"I'm a typical guy, you find a woman who lets you live with her, and feeds you and you stay. I often hear my wife say, 'Maybe I shouldn't have put that bowl of Chex Mix out on our first date. Well you did, honey - now you're stuck."

Liberati, whose material also appears in

"Now everybody goes online to date. My buddy says I have to go on mdate.com, which I thought was match.com. It turns out it was midget.com," Liberati teased. "So I went on, and it was a genealogy site for midgets, and I learned a few things. Did you know a family tree for a midget is a bonsai?"

Arriving in Connecticut for the show a bit early was also fodder for Liberati's routine.

"I was screwing around in Danbury today - you guys make the big trip to Danbury sometimes? See what's happening? You see Walmart's open almost 24 hours. I know they close [expletive] in Newtown around three. That dancing cop works longer than half of these stores in Newtown."

Then, it seemed like Liberati suddenly noticed several rows of VIPs who were seated up front.

"What are you guys doing up front? Are these the VIP seats? You guys are special - you're like the Amish at Circuit City, just staring at me. You think you're better than those folks up there?" he said pointing to the balcony. "They're getting the same show and they paid half the money, dumb-asses."

Smith, the show's headliner, performed the most interactive set, tapping his skills as a television talk show warm-up act. Frequently pointing to and calling out members of the audience, he had attendees in stitches as he moved from one side of the stage to the other picking on various folks, including Board of Education Chairman Keith Alexander.

"Who's the guy with the beard ... holy crap there's a werewolf here!" Smith jabbed.

Moving on to others near the front, he singled out an audience member named Marilyn, asking her what she did for a living. After learning she was a volunteer driver for Meals On Wheels, Smith exclaimed, "That's great because I could use a snack right now; could you go out to the van and get me something?"

Smith also chided the audience about the seemingly rural locale of the show.

"Could you have any more dead animals on 84 leading up to this place? I asked a guy how far to Newtown, and he says three deer, a raccoon, and half a opossum."

With receipts counted, Ms Story said the evening brought in around $15,000 that would be distributed as grants to Newtown teachers.

"These grants will directly impact students, and help carry on our mission to promote creativity, collaboration, and innovation," Ms Story said.

Besides the appetizers prepared for the VIP reception, attendees to the comedy show enjoyed refreshments including trays piled high with desserts prepared by Newtown High School Culinary Department.

The foundation is in the process of lining up other events for the coming year, including an outdoor picnic or activity planned for the late spring. Residents can learn more about NEF's work at