Comedian, writer and podcast host Pat Hazell talks with WRFA’s Anthony Merchant about his one night only Johnny Carson variety and tribute show in Jamestown, NY, the new Carson exhibit at the National Comedy Center, what it was like to perform on Johnny Carson, why he ruled over all other late night hosts and much more

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comedycenter.org

Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson said the stage show is a celebration of the Johnny Carson exhibit that’s also opening this weekend at the Comedy Center, “So, we’re bringing in acts that were discovered on The Tonight Show. That was a big part of the Tonight Show legacy. If you were booked on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, your life was never the same after that day. So we assembled this really incredible group of performers and variety acts that experienced that first hand to come and do excerpts of those performances and talk about what that was like.”

The show will be hosted by comedian and Seinfeld writer Pat Hazell. It will also feature magician Lance Burton, comedian Cathy Ladman, ventriloquist Jay Johnson, wildlife expert Joan Embrey, storyteller Don Reed, The Passing Zone juggling team Jon Wee & Owen Morse, Mighty Carson Art Player Teresa Ganzel, and Carson Entertainment Group President Jeff Sotzing.

The show on Saturday is at 7:00 p.m. with tickets available at comedycenter.org/carson

Chautauqua Institution

National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson said the program will feature Carl Reiner’s children Annie, Lucas, and Rob Reiner, “We’ve sourced and recorded over the last few months some amazing commentary from others whose careers and lives were touched by Carl, including Lily Tomlin, I mentioned Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Dick Van Dyke, so this evening is a really great educational experience on Carl’s career but also a celebration of the greatest bits of his works.”

Seinfeld writer and Tonight Show veteran Pat Hazell will host the show.

It will also feature rare footage from the National Comedy Center’s new exhibition on Carl Reiner that is opening this month.

The program starts at 8:15 p.m. and tickets can be found at chq.org.

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WRFA’s Jason Sample discusses The Good Humor Men with comedian Pat Hazzell prior to their show on Saturday, May 4 at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

Pat Hazell

JAMESTOWN – There’s going to be a show for everyone at the Reg Lenna Center for The Arts for its 2016-17 season.

On Wednesday the Reg rolled out details of its next Reg Presents season, which will feature the return of America’s Hottest Magician along with the first appearance of a nationally acclaimed swing revival music act and an acrobatic martial arts act that will keep the audience on the edge of its seats. There will also be other shows that focus on history, humor, and the holiday season.

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“In our third season, we’re broadening our scope to appeal to more of the area audience,” Reg Lenna marketing director Len Barry explained. “Our attendance numbers continue to grow as more patrons attend shows and return with friends and family. Word of mouth in the Jamestown region is invaluable.”

All shows will be on sale to the public starting Tuesday, June 21 at 10 a.m.

JASON BISHOP – SEPT 24, 2016

The season begins on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. with the return of a favorite from two seasons ago – illusionist Jason Bishop.

Surprisingly funny and truly magical, Bishop delivers a family-friendly performance featuring sleight of hand, grand illusions and close-up magic projected onto a movie screen on stage.

New and returning patrons can expect his sense of humor, audience interaction and breathtaking Double Levitation.

JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG – OCT. 30, 2016

On Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m., Robert H. Jackson Center and The Reg commemorate World War II with L.A. Theatre Works’ production of Abby Mann’s Judgment at Nuremberg.

Originally a riveting teleplay, Judgment at Nuremberg became an Academy Award winning film and a stage play that is both surprising and unsettling. In this absorbing and complex drama, a cast of unforgettable characters play out their high stakes game against the backdrop of a looming Cold War, shifting political alliances, and the shocking and vivid memories of the Holocaust and World War II.

Judgment at Nuremberg will be performed as a radio-play by a cast of professional theater, television and film actors to be revealed soon. The production falls near the 70th anniversary of the original war tribunals and is the only area performance during this national tour.

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY – NOV. 4, 2016

A true throwback act swings into Jamestown when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performs on Friday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.

The band was at the forefront of the mid-nineties swing revival including prominent appearances in the 1996 film, Swingers and the accompanying soundtrack. The front of the audience area will be open to dancers who want to groove to such favorites as “You and Me and the Bottle Makes 3”, “Go Daddy Go” and more.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: CHRISTMAS AT THE REG – DEC. 17, 2016

A warm night of seasonal music classics is in store for audiences on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. in Home for the Holidays: Christmas at The Reg.

The finest area vocalists, singers and musicians will entertain with holiday classics – new and old – that will bring holiday cheer to the whole family.

PAT HAZELL PRESENTS: THE WONDER BREAD YEARS – MARCH 4, 2017

Baby Boomers and Generation X will be treated to a night of hilarious nostalgia when Seinfeld writer Pat Hazell performs his one-man show, The Wonder Bread Years on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 8 p.m.

Hazell evokes fun memories of a certain era including Hula Hoops, sparklers, Silly Putty, Kool Aid, lawn darts and more, reminding us that there is still a kid inside each of us.

Audiences across the country have enjoyed this show that not only restores a much-needed sense of wonder, but leaves audiences laughing and savoring the past like never before.

MASTERS OF KUNG FUN: SHAOLIN WARRIORS – APRIL 7, 2017

On Friday, April 7, 2017 at 8 p.m., Masters of Kung Fu: Shaolin Warriors delivers an evening of high-flying kicks.

Trained from a young age in mental and physical disciplines, the Warriors will show remarkable skill, stunning movement and death-defying martial-arts prowess in this fully choreographed theatrical production that shows what is normally only thought possible in movies.

TICKETS GO ON SALE JUNE 21

Patrons can save up to 25 percent by bundling tickets to shows through the Pick-A-Pack option. Also on sale are season passes for the next season of Rolling Hills Radio with Ken Hardley.

The entire season will be on sale June 21 at 10 a.m. to the general public.

Patrons may purchase tickets in person or by phone (716.484.7070) at the Reg box office at 116 East Third Street between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.RegLenna.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week.