Courtesy photos
Soroptimist International of Idyllwild presents the third-annual Hilltop Comedy Night on Friday, June 14. Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery will host the pre-party starting at 7 p.m. and the show goes on at 9 p.m. at the Rustic Theatre.
“We’ve got a great lineup this year,” Soroptimist President Shelly McKay said. “We’re especially excited that the incomparable, multi-talented Barbara Rayliss has agreed to emcee the show.” Rayliss is an actress and singer who lives on the Hill.
Because the show is at the Rustic and starts later, the club is selling a VIP package that includes a food or drink voucher to Idyllwild Brewpub, Ferro or Middle Ridge. The Rustic’s usual concessions also will be available during the show.
Returning this year is headliner Virginia Jones. “Virginia Jones is a unique comic voice, by turns ingenious and absurd, but always thought-provoking. She feels like she could be a genius if she could just remember to write stuff down,” her website explains. She’s appeared on “Portlandia” and CNN’s “History of Comedy.”
New to the Hill this year are comedians Kerri Lendo and Heather Thomson.
Lendo is an Austin, Texas-based comedian and filmmaker. She has been a finalist in the Funniest Person in Austin Contest and has won Funniest Filmmaker in Austin. She has toured the country, opening for Maria Bamford on numerous dates. Her shorts play at such film fests as AFI and the Los Angeles Film Fest.
Thomson is a classically trained actress and gifted comedian. She has performed at The Hollywood Improv, UCB Theatre Los Angeles, The Comedy Store and Bridgetown Comedy Festival. “Frequently raw, poignant, sad, sweet, honest and hilarious, her act recently prompted one fan to ask, ‘You’re really funny. Are you o.k.?’”
One of the missions of Soroptimist International of the Americas is to stop human trafficking. This event is the local club’s annual fundraiser to help combat the problem of human trafficking in our region. Past beneficiaries include Million Kids, THORN and Saved in America. Funds also are used to raise awareness among local residents.
Tickets range from $20 to $50 for the VIP Package and can be purchased online at siidyllwild.org, at the Prairie Dove Boutique, Muirs Mountain Realty office or the Idyllwild Town Crier office.
