Syracuse University

Star-studded comedy show on Nov. 12 open to SU campus and community

Jill Ouikahilo
(315) 443-8568

Life is too short not to laugh, which is why, in the midst of an amazing lineup of events to take place during Orange Central, a blockbuster comedy show is scheduled. On Saturday, Nov. 12, stand-up comedy star D.L. Hughley, and “Saturday Night Live” cast member Dean Edwards will take the stage in the Goldstein Auditorium at the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 with SU ID and $15 general admission.

The event, “Laughing for Education,” is sponsored by Syracuse University’s Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Omega Phi Beta Sorority, in collaboration with the Orange Central Planning Committee. A percentage of the proceeds will go to SU’s Say Yes to Education campaign.

Hughley is one of the most popular and highly recognized standup comedians on the road today, and has also made quite an impression in the television, film and radio arenas. Known for being astute and politically savvy in true comedian style, Hughley served as host of his own late-night talk show on CNN “D.L. Hughley Breaks the News.” A standup comedian to the core, Hughley starred in his own one-hour special for HBO titled “Unapologetic.” In 2007, he starred on the NBC series “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” and also HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam,” as well as the BET series “S.O.B: Socially Offensive Behavior.” As the star and producer of his namesake television show that ran on ABC and UPN, “The Hughleys,” he is also well known as one of the standout comedians in the hit comedy docu-film “The Original Kings of Comedy.” Hughley is a regular on the late-night talk show circuit, including always-memorable appearances on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Conan.” He has even guest hosted on such shows as “The View” and “Live with Regis & Kelly.”

Actor and comedian Edwards has been making his mark in comedy following two successful seasons as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.” His memorable impressions include Don Cheadle, Michael Jackson and Denzel Washington, as well as such original characters as “Man in Elevator” and “Cop#2.” Edwards most recently appeared in Showtime’s “Comics Without Borders,” the nine-week comedy series that showcased multicultural stand-up comedians. Edwards also helped workshop and create the character of Donkey for nearly two years, leading up to Dreamworks’ “Shrek: The Musical” on Broadway. Edwards has made several late night appearances, including “The Late Show with Craig Ferguson” and “Last Call with Carson Daly.” He is also a favorite and frequent guest on Byron Allen’s “Comic Unleashed,” and frequently provides comedic commentary on various VH1 highlight shows. Armed with a degree in communications, Edwards became an in-demand comic, and landed his first big break on Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam.”

For more information, contact Andre Sadler, president of Phi Beta Sigma, at alsadler@syr.edu, or Joann Simoes, president of Omega Phi Beta, at jmsimoes@syr.edu.