Much Ado About Comedy In Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

A November 2 show by The Killers of Comedy act — one of six different performances scheduled at the Edmond Town Hall Theater through Treehouse Comedy Productions — is already nearly sold out, even without much publicity. The Killers of Comedy personalities are often guests on host Howard Stern’s Sirius Satellite Radio show.

Shuli, Beetlejuice, and Yucko the Clown are not preferred entertainment to some town officials, but “the show goes on,” Board of Managers Chairman Jay Gill said during a managers’ meeting Monday night.

“If there are concerns, I want them out on the table now,” he said. Invited to attend the meeting were Treehouse Comedy Productions company owner Brad Axelrod and Newtown Police Captain Joe Rios.

Clarifying his feelings on an upcoming act booked through Treehouse for the town hall theater, Mr Gill said, “It’s not a show I would go to, but I can’t account for others’ tastes.” Preferences aside, he explained his and other managers’ main point for inviting their guests: “I do have concerns about the building.” Damage to the Edmond Town Hall, bequeathed to Newtown by benefactress Mary Hawley and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut have him worried about the crowd that may be drawn to the upcoming comedy show.

Since last week, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and Mr Gill have been waiting for a legal opinion about whether or not managers could refuse a booked act. According to the town counsel’s opinion, the answer is clearly no.

“It would be unlawful to restrict the show,” Mr Gill summarized as he read a letter containing explanations for the legal opinion.

Mr Gill’s cautiousness became clear.

Turning to Mr Axelrod, Mr Gill said, “I need to see a security plan. I need to see insurance.” He wanted reassurances that the evening’s ticket holders had identification to verify that they were 18 years old or older, and confirmation that no alcohol would be served. Mr Gill also asked that Mr Axelrod hire two police officers to bolster his security staff.

“I hear what you are saying and have no problem addressing your points,” Mr Axelrod said without argument. To alert ticket holders, he told managers he would e-mail or call guests to stress the message that no one under the age of 18 will be permitted into the show, and alcohol is not permitted.

Mr Axelrod has 15 staff members composing his security team he said, and felt that one additional police officer would be enough on November 2. Captain Rios argued for two officers.

“For safety reasons I suggest two,” he said. He wants one officer indoors and another outside to handle people and traffic affiliated with the anticipated 500-plus person crowd. The theater has 521 seats, and more than 460 tickets have already been sold for the show.

The safety of his police officers is also a part of Captain Rios’s reasoning.

“They can depend on each other,” he said. If a problem occurs, an officer can radio to another already on the premises. Two officers also creates a presence, he explained. Aside form someone positioned indoors, another officer could be visible in the lot or on the sidewalk.

Curtains open for Killers of Comedy at 8 pm on November 2, but town hall doors are scheduled to open at 5 pm. The show will end at approximately 10 pm. Board member Sandy Motyka said, “That’s a long time to have the building open.” Guests will need time to pick up their presold tickets and locate seats, which are assigned, Mr Axelrod explained.

He does not expect problems from the crowd.

“Very rarely do we have issues,” he said. Any guests who do present a problem will be warned, then escorted from the building, he said.

Again expressing concerns to the town hall property, Ms Motyka asked about the guests. Despite what he called a Howard Stern stigma, Mr Axelrod said, “I have done shows already with portions of the [Killers of Comedy] cast and they have gone without incident, except people having a good time.”

Setting aside doubts, Mr Gill and Mr Axelrod shook hands before Mr Axelrod left the meeting.

“If we make a mistake I want it to be on the side of caution,” Mr Gill told the promoter. “I hope your show is successful.”

Mr Axelrod confirmed that this is the first time he has been encouraged to hire police.

Last week, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said: “From the sound of the type of comedy, this might be more appropriate for a club.” Also last week, Mr Gill had said, “Do I want it? Absolutely not.” Preferences aside, however, he said, “We’re not going to censor anyone.”

The date is reserved, and with an audience quickly purchasing tickets, both Mr Gill and board member Sandy Motyka drew a parallel to the upcoming show.

“We do show R-rated movies,” she said of the regular screenings in the town hall theater, the same room that will host the comedy show. Currently no specific restrictions or content guidelines are in place for prospective shows seeking time at the Newtown stage.

“This has never come up,” Ms Motyka clarified.

“It’s nothing we ever had to worry about,” Mr Gill added.

Mr Gill’s main concern, shared with Captain Rios, is security.

For one, the numbers, no matter what type of crowd, will create traffic and parking issues, Captain Rios said. Police Chief Michael Kehoe is aware that The Killers of Comedy is coming to Newtown, and it was on his behalf that Captain Rios attended the managers meeting Monday evening.