‘Laughing about Liquor: Hear the Truth,’ A Forum For All Ages At The Ridgefield Playhouse

RIDGEFIELD — Alcoholism among the young is no laughing matter… unless you are comedian Bernie McGrenahan.

Mr McGrenahan has made getting his message across about the perils of binge drinking more than a mission, it’s his job. His job also happens to be that of a comedian, so putting the two together seemed only natural, not to mention effective, for the first program in Danbury Hospital’s Living Well Series to be presented at The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts.

On Wednesday, November 9, at 7 pm, the playhouse will host “Laughing About Liquor: Hear The Truth.”

The forum, which is being partially sponsored by The Ridgefield Community Prevention Council, will teach kids in grades six and up a very important message without making them feel as if they are being preached to.

“Alcohol abuse is a problem that is not only pervasive in our community, but in communities all over the country,” says Playhouse Development Director Lynne Briody. “Bernie McGrenahan’s comedy tour is the most popular program in America addressing the high-risk drinking concern, especially in schools today.”

His style is informative, educational, entertaining, exciting, and funny. He opens with thirty minutes of comedy, which attracts and entertains the audience, many of whom are students, and then with a subtle twist Mr McGrenahan confronts the leading substance abuse problem among high school and college kids: alcohol.

“Kids are more likely to listen to a stranger that they can identify with before they will listen to their parents,” says Ms Briody. “So here’s a guy that is sending the right message to these kids as well as to anyone with a drinking problem.”

Mr McGrenahan’s message (through his humor and as a former high-risk drinker) is that one can walk away from peer pressure — away from the temptation to indulge — towards a more healthy, productive and responsible way of life. He has taken this honest message to campuses across the country, with both administrators and students alike grateful for the experience.

He makes them laugh, and then, through all the guffaws, slips in the all-important message. As one student remarked, “It was very entertaining ... good, because it wasn’t a lecture. We get lectured enough.”

“Laughing About Liquor: Hear the Truth” is one in a series of the Danbury Hospital Living Well Series. Upcoming programs in the series include Elizabeth DiMeo with “What’s in Your Pantry” on January 26 and a return by Ms DiMeo with “How to Live to 100 and Not Regret it” on May 21.

Tickets are $15. To order tickets or for further information, call the playhouse’s box office at 203-438-5795. Tickets may be also purchased online at www.RidgefieldPlayhouse.org.