State of Comedy

Featured comedian Mark Riccadonna is a professional comedian who is somewhat of specialist in reading audiences and making them feel comfortable. He has toured globally playing theatres and clubs as well as with the USO and Armed Forces Entertainment (which landed him his Travel Column “Dad Trippin” in Today’s Man Magazine). Over ten years of touring Mark found time to thrive as an on-air host for talk radio out of Atlantic City, performed in an Off Broadway hit “Happy in the Poor House”, did three films in three years; “The Devils Tree”, “The Days of Power” and “Game Night” (winner of Best Director at The International Film Festival). Mark worked as a voice-over actor, and directed the play “The Boom” for the NYC Dream Up Festival and Now is Directing in a pilot he co-wrote called “Radio Gods” with Paul Provenza, John Fugelsang, Rich Vos and Rick Overton. Because of his attitude, he is considered fun, lovable, and easy to work with, landed him shows on FOX, MTV, SPEED network, SPIKE TV, The CW, NBC and The Food Network and a contributing writer for “Weekend Update”. Mark is a gifted storyteller, with a charisma that makes you feel like you’ve known him forever, unique delivery, signature voice and likability; you will see why he is a favorite at clubs and theatres everywhere. Headliner Tony Boswell entered the world a small, scared infant. Over the next two decades he put on some weight and grew taller. Then in 1986 he began performing stand-up comedy. Since then he has appeared in over 35 states and Canada with more than 3000 performances to his credit. He has been featured in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, The Seattle International Comedy Competition, The New Orleans Comedy Festival, The Boston Comedy Festival and on Comedy Central, Comedy on the Road, KSHB’s Kansas City Comedy Hour, Night Sift, and National Public Radio and in the films, “The Babe” and “Meet the Parents.” So how did that waif with no verbal skills whatsoever become one of the premier comedians working today? What started in fun ended in, well … fun. Like an E! True Hollywood Story just before the half-hour commercial break, Tony had hit bottom. After dropping out of the University of Illinois, he had moved home with his mother. Not sure what to do with his life he began taking classes at The Player’s Workshop of Second City in Chicago, an Improv school whose alumni include such notables as Bill Murray, George Wendt and Shelly Long. Needless to say, he was hooked. Upon graduation from the Workshop he appeared in the sketch-comedy show “Flame” as well as “The Adventures of Sinbad” and “Dreams of Gold and Pearls” at the Children’s Theatre of Second City. Tony is a founding member of The Department of Works Comedy Ensemble whose other members include Andy Dick of News Radio and Comedy Central’s Matt Walsh. With the “Department of Works” he produced and co-directed two successful shows, “No Perversities Added” and “The Three Dollar Show.” After a two year run, the individuals in the group split up to pursue their separate careers, Tony choosing stand-up comedy. Tony currently travels the country as a stand-up comedian. He performs at comedy clubs as well as corporate shows nationwide. His show provides hilarious hi-jinks and onstage antics mixed with intelligent sarcasm. His good-natured approach towards the audience makes him a favorite nationwide.