Here’s a laugh riot for these tough times

With so many people preoccupied with the effects of the enduring downward spiral of the economy, there’s perhaps no better time than the present for laughter to once again prove to be the best medicine, and as a first-rate setting for this, the ninth annual presentation of Kings & Queens of Caribbean Comedy is hard to beat.

The always highly entertaining comedy extravaganza, featuring a roster of the Caribbean’s premier talents in their field, rolls out Saturday, Oct. 30 at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, commencing at 8:00 p.m.

Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent and Grenada are represented in the stellar lineup of performers who will hit the Brooklyn Center stage, all of them tested veterans in generating wall-to-wall laughter. Scheduled to appear to perform standup and/or sketch routines are: Nikki Crosby, Tommy Joseph, Trevor Eastmond, Sprangalang, Errol Fabien, Louis Antoine, Donna Hadad, Wendell Etienne, Fatman George, Susan Kennedy and Gloria Williams (St. Vincent’s top-rated comedienne). Wassy will also be along to do some emcee duty.

Altogether, such a potent cast is guaranteed to provide a welcome respite from whatever worrisome concerns audience members may have left outside the walls of Walt Whitman Hall in Brooklyn Center. The executive producer of Kings & Queens of Caribbean Comedy, Howard McLeod, said: “In the circumstances this time around, we can safely think of this year’s show as having therapeutic value well above the norm.”

Ever since Kings & Queens of Caribbean Comedy made its debut in 2002, it has consistently connected with audiences as a solid favorite, routinely drawing packed houses. A tradition has been established that this is a showcase for masterful comedy performances from the best the Caribbean has to offer. Another marker of how much the show’s comedic punch resonates in the community is the popularity of the video productions that have been done almost throughout the show’s existence.

Fan favorite Nikki Crosby from Trinidad and Tobago, whose brilliant and side-splittingly funny one-woman sketch portrayal of a jilted bride wowed the audience last year, spoke of her upcoming appearance: “I’ve always loved performing in that space, and after not having appeared there for a few years it felt wonderful to return. I could feel the love. I’m really excited about doing the show again.”

Tickets for the show may be purchased at the Brooklyn Center box office or at neighborhood outlets. The show features large-screen projection of onstage activity to facilitate excellent viewing from any spot in the theater. The information hot line number is 917-447-2323. Kings & Queens of Caribbean Comedy is a production of Unique Caribbean Promotions.