An evening humor and motivation with comedian Brett Leake
7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 23
Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Auditorium, Fishersville, VA
Brett Leake made television history in 1991 when he became the first comedian with a physical disability to appear on NBC’s The Tonight Show. (He has muscular dystrophy). Jay Leno said, “He broke up the whole room. People realized here’s a man with a disability and he’s not gonna’ let it bother him.”
Brett worked as a stand-up comic from 1983 until 1997 when he began working as what he calls a sit-down stand-up comic. In 1998, Brett also became a motivational speaker, enhancing his act with personal stories and what have been called ‘philosophic lecturettes’ that address using humor as a problem-solving device and as a means to get more out of life.
In 2003, his sixty-minute comedy special, Laughing Matters with Brett Leake, began playing on PBS stations around the country. Other appearances include Entertainment Tonight and the American Comedy Awards. In 2008, Brett was the recipient of the National Humor Treasure Award, joining the ranks of Gilda Radner, Victor Borge, Sid Caesar, The Smothers Brothers, Bob Newhart, Jay Leno and others.
The opening act will be the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Bluegrass Band. The show will be followed by a reception with cookies and coffee made by Food Services students from WWWC. Thanks to event sponsors M.I.T.S. Corporation of Virginia, Star 94.5 FM, and Union First Market Bank.
Tickets are $15 each and are available online below or at Union First Market Bank, located in Martin’s Foods in Staunton, Waynesboro and Harrisonburg.
