Cancer is no laughing matter, except when it raises money for a worthy charity, such as the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
This Tuesday night, five Ottawa business leaders will do what requires nerves of steel and reserves of self-esteem: go before hundreds to perform a five-minute set of stand-up comedy at the National Arts Centre.
TRUEdotDESIGN owner and president Shelley True, I4C Consulting chief revenue officer Dan Julien, Kichesippi Beer president and owner Paul Meek, Abacus Data’s vice president of sales and marketing, Yvonne Langen, and Welch Capital Partners managing director Adam Nihmey have agreed to perform at the inaugural Laugh for the Cure, presented by Foundation WCPD.
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The evening, which is being held in the NAC’s Canada Room, is expected to gross roughly $125,000 for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation (ORCF).
The event is sold out, which means the only hecklers in attendance will be those who have planned ahead. Unless, of course, something opens up on the waiting list for a $250 ticket (with $100 tax receipt).
“I’m so excited,” Paula Muldoon, vice president of philanthropy at ORCF, told OBJ.social of what started as an idea to create a stand-up comedy fundraiser, discussed a few years back by her and Ottawa comic Todd Van Allen.
The timing finally seemed right to bring ORCF friends and supporters together for an entertaining night, she said. “After three years of COVID, we all just want to laugh.”
Newfoundland-born comic and actor Shaun Majumder, previously from the CBC comedy show This Hour Has 22 Minutes, is headlining Laugh for the Cure.
Matt Jacques, a commercial realtor with Royal LePage Performance Realty, will emcee the show. Jacques knows what it’s like to step outside one’s comfort zone in a public way. In 2018, he took on his opponent at the Fight for the Cure white-collar boxing fundraiser for the ORCF while 1,000 people cheered them on.
Each amateur comic, or The Joes as they’re called, has been paired up with a professional comic. They’re known as The Pros. Van Allen, Pierre Brault, Brendan McKeigan, Jim McNally and Rick Currie, all of whom helped their plucky protégés refine their material, will also be performing at Laugh for the Cure.
OBJ.social met up this past Tuesday with The Joes and The Pros at Kichesippi Beer Company on Robertson Road in Bells Corners. There were endless jokes and laughter as the participants’ energy and enthusiasm made for great company.
Brault said he enjoyed working with Julien, who had no trouble writing his set of original material. “In fact, most of our process was about taking material out,” said Brault. “It was a good problem to have.”
To get ready for his big night, Julien recently performed in public a couple of times, specifically at an introduction to stand-up comedy class Brault runs at Absolute Comedy. “The first time that (spot)light hits you is a much different experience than doing it in front of the mirror,” said Julien of his “nerve-racking” trial run.
Van Allen commended True for tackling one of her bucket-list experiences: stand-up comedy. “I’m happy to see her do this, not just to help the cause, but also to see her really sink her teeth into this and put in the work.”
Currie set the stage for what we can expect from Nihmey. “Just picture a high-energy accountant, and that’s what you’re going to get.”
Meek recently got a taste of the limelight when he performed last summer in Ottawa Little Theatre’s production of The Siegel. It was a way for him to celebrate his 50th birthday in a memorable way.
He ended up impressing McKeigan with the material he came up with for Laugh for the Cure. “I love that he brought so much to the table, and it’s all personal kind of stories,” said McKeigan. “He’s not just making up a bunch of jokes and things; he’s being very honest and true, and I think he’s got a lot of funny and original insights.”
Laugh for the Cure is also being sponsored by Abacus Data, TRUEdotDESIGN, Welch Capital Partners/Welch LLP, Cavanagh Group of Companies, Emond Harnden Labour and Employment Law, Hansen Lawn and Gardens, and Currey Insurance & Investments.
OBJ.social, in our attempt to truly understand the minds of budding comic geniuses, asked The Joes a series of questions relating to their participation in Laugh for the Cure.
Paul Meek, President and Owner of Kichesippi Beer Co.
Why did you agree to participate in Laugh for the Cure?
I am a huge fan of the work that Paula Muldoon has done with ORCF and also a huge fan of new and creative ideas. When she presented this opportunity to participate in this inaugural event, I couldn’t turn it down.
Why is a good sense of humour an essential life skill?
A good sense of humour is an essential part of effective communication. Whether it is with your friend, your life partner, in a work environment or on stage for a charity fundraiser. I don’t know anyone who has ever said, ‘I wished I didn’t smile and laugh so much today’.
Describe your process for creating your material?
My process has been a fantastic journey and Brendan McKeigan has been an incredible coach through this process. We all have interesting stories from our own lives. I have chosen to tell these stories from the perspective of trying to see the humour and positive aspects in any situation.
How do you plan to stay calm on your big night?
My plan for staying calm on the big night is to rehearse my material as much as possible before March 28th. I am comfortable being on stage and in front of a large audience, so that part is not my major concern. My personal challenge is going to be staying on script and ensuring that I don’t speak too quickly.
Who do you consider to be the funniest comic of all time?
That is definitely a tough question, but I would have to say Richard Pryor. His words could shock you and also make you laugh, but the way he integrated the physical comedy into his performances took everything to another level.
Give me your best punchline: “The thing that impresses me the most about the LRT is …”
…what a great job it does of staying in the news. That kind of exposure is tough to achieve. You couldn’t find one person in this town who hasn’t heard of the LRT.
Shelley True, Owner & President, TRUEdotDESIGN
Why did you agree to participate in Laugh for the Cure?
It is for charity, and being able to give back to the community wherever I can has always been an important core value for me. I used to have a fear of public speaking but it was necessary to overcome in my career. Now THIS is the ultimate challenge.
Why is a good sense of humour an essential life skill?
I wouldn’t say it is an essential life skill but one that all of my close friends have in their toolbox. Plus, a good joke is always a great icebreaker, for both work and personal.
Describe your process for creating your material?
Writing material is harder than you think. To prepare, I’ve had to spend 10 to 20 minutes a day simply writing ideas/thoughts, and then meeting with my amazing coach, Todd Van Allen, to work through the copy, build out the details and, of course, add in the humour. #ouch
How do you plan to stay calm on your big night?
I have no idea, but it has been so nice to see so many friends and colleagues reaching out with words of support – and also buying tickets to cheer me on that night.
Who do you consider to be the funniest comic of all time?
I did just drive to Pennsylvania to see Chelsea Handler. She referred to us as “The Canadians!”
Give me your best punchline: “The thing that impresses me the most about the LRT is …”
Really?!
Adam Nihmey, Managing Director, Welch Capital Partners
Why did you agree to participate in Laugh for the Cure?
Umm…I thought I was doing the boxing event?
Why is a good sense of humour an essential life skill?
It becomes essential if you can’t do anything else.
Describe your process for creating your material?
I wrote a million jokes, of which 99 per cent weren’t funny. I will introduce the one per cent that is gold (in my humble opinion).
How do you plan to stay calm on your big night?
I’ll hide in the broom closet and eat hummus.
Who do you consider to be the funniest comic of all time?
Robin Williams. Oh, and the guy who says “Get ‘er Done”
Give me your best punchline: “The thing that impresses me the most about the LRT is …”
Its resilience…nobody wants to ride it but it is still there.
Yvonne Langen, Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Abacus Data
Why did you agree to participate in Laugh for the Cure?
I was told there’d be snacks and that I was going to be the headliner. It’s recently come to my attention that only one of those things is true. Luckily, it’s for a great cause, so I still plan to make an appearance.
Why is a good sense of humour an essential life skill?
The 24-hour news cycle seems to be a constant stream of bad news. A quick wit and a good belly laugh offer some respite for the weary soul.
Describe your process for creating your material?
My sense of humour is rooted in observational comedy. Having recently become a stepmom, I’ve learned that toddlers and figuring out how to parent them make for a steady stream of new material.
How do you plan to stay calm on your big night?
Dry heave into a paper bag before walking on stage.
Who do you consider to be the funniest comic of all time?
Billy Connolly. I remember discovering his stand-up as a teenager and having snot shoot out my nose and gasping for breath from laughing so hard.
Give me your best punchline: The thing that impresses me the most about the LRT is …
It has more performance anxiety than my ex-boyfriend.
Dan Julien, Chief Revenue Officer, I4C Consulting Inc.
Why did you agree to participate in Laugh for the Cure?
I’m a sucker for public embarrassment. Seriously, I’ve been looking to get more involved in the community. My mom passed away two years ago, and there’s no charity for what impacted her health for 14 years. Visiting her in the hospital, living through her ups and downs, and seeing the care from incredible individuals has stayed with me. ORCF’s mission works well with my own core values, so I was game to try this to help support the cause.
Why is a good sense of humour an essential life skill?
It’s important to laugh things off and try to create smiles for others. There’s so many hiccups and larger hurdles that can negatively impact your day that sometimes laughing about them is the best medicine.
Describe your process for creating your material?
My set came to me early one morning. I tried to flow from one topic to another and wrote it all down in a document. My coach Pierre had me perform it on Zoom with him, and we started hacking at it and focusing on the best jokes. The next part of the process was the toughest part. Working on the punchlines and delivery can be incredibly taxing.
How do you plan to stay calm on your big night?
Scotch! I didn’t realize what I’d signed up for until my friends said: “Wow, you’re so gutsy” or “I would never have the nerve” Once I hit the stage, the nerves will be gone, hopefully.
Who do you consider to be the funniest comic of all time?
Robin Williams. I watched his 2002 set multiple times and the amount of energy and material he had was mind-blowing.
Give me your best punchline: The thing that impresses me the most about the LRT is …
It’s incredibly consistent…just not in the right ways.
caroline@obj.ca
