#D-Strong Comedy Night
Stacy Smith Studios had the honor of photographing the D-Strong Comedy Night this past Sunday, February 28th at the Park Theater in Cranston. If you haven’t heard of D-Strong, Click HERE to read all about this little boy from RI, his courageous fight against cancer and his wish to be famous around the world!
Our friends Mike Murray and Bill Simas started an amazing company called Funny 4 Funds a little over a year ago. They put on comedy shows to raise money for all types of causes. Forget bake sales, Tupperware parties and car washes. Do those ever really make money? The answer is No! But everyone loves to laugh!
In over a year, Funny 4 Funds has raised over $1,000,000 for a variety of causes. But this was the biggest show yet! The wife of Patrick Pass, a former fullback with the New England Patriots, attended one of F4F’s shows and loved it! She happened to know one of Bill’s friends who reached out to him asking if they would be willing to donate their comedic services to support this little boy. Of course they said YES right away and got to work on building the show!
Funny 4 Funds, Mike Hanley, Ace Aceto, 94HJY-The Home of Rock and
Stacy Smith Studios arrived at the Park Theater at 3pm to set up our equipment. At 4pm the doors opened and the crowd started to pour in. 94HJY was in the lobby recording live from the event. Tribeca Band entertained the crowd with a great set on stage.
People were taking their picture in front of the D-Strong backdrop, picking up their complimentary Alex & Ani D-Strong Bracelets, D-Strong winter hats or perhaps even grabbing a drink and a bag of popcorn just waiting for the show to begin. The comedians weren’t hiding backstage either. No way.
These guys were in the crowd, meeting and greeting anyone and everyone! The energy was overwhelming! People made their own D-Strong shirts and signs to show support and Facebook was LIT UP with supportive selfies for Dorian. The magic was just about to begin….
Ace Aceto was first up on stage! So talented! Who doesn’t love a good Family Guy impression?
Mike Hanley had us all laughing hysterically with his bit on Disney World’s “It’s A Small World” ride.
All the while our photographic ninjas were capturing every moment.
Three shooters, three different views, three different lenses. Mike & Moe took to opposite sides of the stage while Stacy got her exercise moving from the mezzanine to the front row with her 70-200mm, snapping some unbelievably close-up shots of these guys! From sweat beads to bulging eyeballs, middle fingers to mid air, we didn’t miss a moment!
After intermission our boys Mike & Bill graced the stage with their presence and we were all laughing right out of our seats!
Mike Murray, know as the deaf comedian, was actually deaf until he was 40yrs old! After an operation, Mike can now hear and has become a true inspiration! I mean, who knew farts make noise! (Haha love that joke!) Misreading your mother-in-laws sign language can translate into a pretty hilarious moment as well! Thank you Mike for all the laughs!
Our last headliner for the night, Bill Simas, owned the stage.
His use of space, facial expressions, noises and timing of his jokes is just incomparable. It’s NOT easy to hold the lens steady and take pictures when you are keeled over in stomach pains and can’t catch your breath from the constant laughter! Seriously, all 800 people in the audience are going to think about Bill the next time they get on a plane or are stuck behind a school bus. I was in stitches thinking about my own personal experiences related to his jokes.
That’s the thing….they totally get us!
What makes an amazing comedian? Someone who can relate to the crowd. Someone who can express those “inner thoughts” we all have during every day situations and actually say them out loud! So many people in the crowd were shaking their heads like, “Yes, yes! I know the feeling! I’ve been there!” Bottom line is: IT WAS TOTALLY HILARIOUS!
But the real joy and emotion was experienced at the end of the night when Dorian’s parents got on stage to express their gratefulness to the crowd and everyone who participated in this event. Cranston Mayor Alan Fung presented them with a “key to the city” for Dorian, proclaimed February 28th officially “D-Strong Day” and Bill & Mike from Funny 4 Funds announced how much we were able to raise in just one night to help support Dorian’s Miracle.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE…….
One night. One Comedy Show. One amazing company (Funny 4 Funds). One small state. One amazing cause.
Thank you so much to everyone who showed their support in any way. We were able to raise $31,000 at the D-Strong Comedy Night! WOW WOW WOW! What an incredible feeling to be a part of something this big, this beautiful.
Funny 4 Funds also announced they will be doing this show ANNUALLY to raise more awareness for pediatric cancer and ALL proceeds will be donated to pediatric cancer research. Bill & Mike, we have no words.
Thank you for all you do and we can’t wait to photograph this event for years to come! Team work makes the dream work and we are honored to be a part of a team that came together and used our talents to kick Cancer’s butt!
If you or someone you know needs to raise money for ANY CAUSE, head on over to www.funny4fund.com to see what they are all about!
We promise you will love these hilarious, down to earth, big hearted fellas and they will help you raise more money for your cause than any bake sale or car wash ever could!
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