Comedy Now, For Tomorrow’s Scholarships

DANBURY — The 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens may have come to a close, but those still yearning for a taste of all things Greek will still be able to get a fix locally. Western Connecticut State University will host an appearance later this month by two well-known Greek-American comedic performers to support scholarships for promising young area students.

Basile and Jimmy “Super Greek” Santis will perform at 7 pm on Saturday, September 25, in Ives Concert Hall, 181 White Street. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students with valid ID. Children under 12 will be admitted free.

Proceeds will benefit the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) Chapter 90 Macricostas Scholarship Fund. To buy tickets in advance, call 860-350-2700. Tickets also will be available at the door; they will be sold for an additional $5.

Basile is nationally known for his comedy routines focused on stories of life in a Greek household. His “Growing Up Greek in America” performance is described as explosively funny, and his stories about mispronounced words and eccentric family members resonate with people of all ethnic descents and nationalities.

Basile and Santis collaborated on Men in Skirts, which includes parodies of popular songs from the 70s through today. “Greeks Will Rock You” and “Men in Skirts” are among the hilarious offerings on their CD.

The Chapter 90 Macricostas Scholarship Fund was established nearly ten years ago with a donation from Constantine (Deno) Macricostas through the Macricostas Family Foundation. Since its establishment, more than 30 students have received scholarships to support undergraduate studies at an accredited institution of higher learning.

The handful of students who receive the scholarship each year are chosen by a selection committee that evaluates the applicants’ academic performance, community involvement and financial need.

Chapter 90 is the Danbury branch of AHEPA, an international Greek American organization with chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia and Greece. The local group has organized the comedians’ appearance.

For more information about the event, call Chapter 90 president Kip Kyprianou at 860-350-2700 or the WCSU Office of Public Relations at 837-8486.