Al Ducharme to be Inducted into the RI Comedy Hall of Fame

Al Ducharme

 

Al Ducharme
Al Ducharme to be inducted into the RI Comedy Hall of Fame in July

Cranston Native to be Honored in July at The Comedy Park at the RI Comedy Hall of Fame

Al Ducharme is a comedy powerhouse deemed “very funny” by Simon Cowell and “one of my favorite comedians” by Heidi Klum on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. His story telling style is one of a kind and his hilarious, relatable characters will draw you in and leave you wanting more. In fact, one of his stage characters inspired the creators of Bill Burr’s Netflix cult hit “F is For Family” to bring Ducharme on board as a series regular playing the wildly popular character Anthony. Other TV credits include “Gotham Comedy Live”, “Comics Unleashed”, NBC’s “Today Show”, hosting “Mission Organization” on HGTV and a long list of commercials.

Says Al:

“My first departure from the safety of my Rhode Island nest was in the summer of 1986. I moved to The Big Apple (New York City) to further pursue a comedy and acting career. My first bout with NYC lasted 4 years before moving to Boston in 1990 and then back to New York City in 1998 to 2011. I now reside with my lovely and talented comedian wife, Bernadette Pauley on the “wrong” coast (West Coast) Los Angeles, California. We literally have traveled the globe performing stand-up comedy together and separately. Including throughout the Middle East and mainland China and Hong Kong.” 

Joe Hebert, Comedian and Founder of the RI Comedy Hall of fame had this to say about the forthcoming iduction:

“Im very excited. I haven’t seen Al in years, and I’m looking forward to his homecoming. His induction is long overdue. Al has an extremely impressive resume and is a full time comedian working in LA. That alone is quite an achievement for a kid from Cranston. It’s going to by be an amazing evening.  I encourage  everyone, (especially you younger comics,) to attend this show and see exactly what you can achieve with a lot of hard work, and talent.”

Cranston Native, Al Ducharme returns to Rhode Island for his induction into the RI Comedy Hall of Fame at the Comedy Park, 848 Park Avenue Cranston, RI on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Performing with Al, is his wife, Bernadette Pauley and host for the event, Charlie Hall.

Show starts at 7pm.

Tickets: $20.00 $25.00 $30.00

Buy Tix Here

 

 

The RI Comedy Hall of Fame FINALLY Has a Home

Park Theater Cranston, RI

The Park Theater is the NEW HOME of the RI Comedy Hall of Fame

(Photo Compliments of RI Monthly)

Charlie Hall-RI Comedy Hall of Fame
The RI Comedy Hall of Fame began as an idea I had in August of 2011.

It was one of the hottest stickiest nights I can remember.

I was watching television trying to beat the heat and saw a commercial for an upcoming awards show. That was my Eureka moment.

I’d had been doing stand up comedy for 25 years at that point and suddenly realized there were no honors, or accolades for local comedians. Hey Joe, Why not change that?

After writing down some ideas, I called Frank O’Donnell, (a long time friend and mentor,) and brought it to his attention. We spoke for twenty minutes. At the end of our chat, plans were in place for a comedy roast to take place the following year. The first inductee into the Hall? Charlie Hall, of course. That decision was a no-brainer.

I met Charlie in 1985 at the former Periwinkles Comedy Club, which was located in the Arcade Building in Downtown Providence. He was running Charlie Hall’s Talent Night on Wednesday nights. The cover charge was a dollar.

I stand by my belief, that Charlie Hall was the state’s first, and is still the best comedian in RI. No one was more deserving. Charlie would tell you that, himself.

The First RI Comedy Hall of Fame Event

Over 20 comedians and local celebs and politicians and a sold out audience of 300 showed up to pay homage to Charlie, (Creator of the Ocean State Follies, Aging Disgracefully and the author of the state song, RI-It’s for Me,) with a comedy roast in his honor. It was an amazing and highly successful event.

Other comedians followed through the years, each one having provided RI with significant and meaningful contributions to the art.

More RI Comedy Hall of Fame Inductees

Joining Charlie?

John Perrotta, Frank O’Donnell, Ace Aceto, Doreen Collins, Tom Cotter, Bobby Braciola, The Funny 4 Funds Co., and though not officially announced at the time of this article, Ruth Buzzi, of Laugh In fame, who was born in Westerly RI in 1936.  Ruth has graciously accepted the honor.

The Induction of Bobby Braciola
RI Comedy Hall of Fame: From (l) to (r) Ace Aceto, Dana Nathanson, Joe Hebert and Charlie Hall.

The Hall Grows

Dana Nathanson consented become an officer in the Hall in early 2013.

Dana, a former manager at the Comedy Connection for 20 years, brought a great deal to the table. She’s now my Senior Director and booking agent. Nathanson had been of major assistance to me during my early career, and once again has become extremely valuable to the local comedy scene.

The Home of the RI Comedy Hall of Fame

Until this week, The RI Comedy Hall of Fame had a digital home on the internet. Now, as Ed Brady and Jeff Quinlan resuscitate the historic Park Theater into an entertainment complex, unlike anything the state has seen before. As Brady said in his official press statement on February 22, 2022, “You’re going to see Hollywood magic happening right here in Rhode Island.”

I have no reason to doubt him.

Bill Simas
Bill Simas made a promise to get the RI Comedy Hall of Fame a physical home. He more than delivered.

A vitally important part of Brady and Quinlan’s team is Funny4Funds.com founder, and comedian, Bill Simas, who will be running, The Comedy Park Comedy Club. 

Five Years ago at his company’s induction into the RI Comedy Hall of Fame, Simas made a promise in front of 400 people in East Greenwich to find a permanent home for the Hall.

Simas kept his word.

Bill was instrumental in getting the Hall of Fame into the Park Theater. Brady and Quinlan saw the merits of having the Hall in their venue, and now future RI standups will have a place to see and pay homage to those who paved the way for them.

Sure, thank me for founding the Hall of Fame, but thank Bill Simas, Ed Brady and Jeff Quinlan for giving it a home.

The RI Comedy Hall of Fame is scheduled to open on April 29, 2022.

 

Tom Cotter in Woonsocket, RI on 11/10/21

Comedian Tom Cotter

 

Tom Cotter in RI on 11/10/21

As seen on America’s Got Talent, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and much more! The hysterical Tom Cotter will be headlining at Savini’s Pomodoro Italian Kitchen and Bar in Woonsocket RI on Wednesday November 10th in a Special Veterans Day Eve Comedy Show!

8:30pm. $25pp. For reservations call the Comedy Factory at 401-639-7726! Don’t miss this rare local appearance by RI Comedy Hall of Famer, Tom Cotter