Comedy

Danville High School's spring production this weekend is a one-act comedy festival titled "Brouhaha Haha. " It features four one-acts directed by four directors and starring 19 DHS students, a Toliver student, and a rotating surprise guest star. Highlights of the festival include: "Words, Words, Words:" Three monkeys at three typewriters - can they really produce Hamlet before they go ape? "The Acting Olympics:" Finally, sports on the stage at Danville High! And for Olympic Gold!

Nothing illustrates better the problems of today's vacuous Democratic Party than Sen. Hillary Clinton's juvenile remarks about President Bush over the weekend. "I sometimes feel that Alfred E. Neuman is in charge in Washington," Clinton said, referring to the character from Mad magazine, according to an Associated Press story. She drew a laugh from the crowd when she described Bush's attitude toward tough issues with Neuman's catchphrase: "What, me worry?" The point of Clinton's statement is, of course, way off the mark.

GET SMART (B-/Directed by Peter Segal/Starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terence Stamp, Terry Crews, David Koechner, James Caan/Warner/Rated PG-13/Action, Comedy): Steve Carell is a funny man. It is just undeniable. As a diehard fan of "The Office," the television show that catapulted him into the realm of comedy stardom, I am always willing to give his projects a look-see. And, upon seeing the initial teaser for "Get Smart," was interested instantly.

Someone recommended that Virginia R. Biles read the play "Over the River and Through the Woods. " The director was told it was in interesting play, so she read it - and liked it. "It speak to anyone who is a grandparent or has ever had grandparents," Biles says. "I see some of my own grandparents in it, and myself, and (husband) George. " "Over the River and Through the Woods," which opens Friday, is a comedy - not a farce, Biles points out - about four Italian grandparents who live in Hoboken, N.J. Frank and Aida (John Penick and Anne Byrom)

It's official: We now have the summer's first great comedy. Sure, the movie was released on Aug. 4, the tail end of summer, just days before schools return into session. I say, better late than never. This one was totally worth the wait. The comedies thus far in 2006 have been, well, a bit toothless. Promising trailers have led to a barrage of the bland - with "You, me and Dupree" jumping out in my recollection, which is admittedly hazy from the cloud of dullness. So to me, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" is especially refreshing, as it delivers the goods and has an unapologetically random sense of humor, which, on more than one occasion, had me crying in laughter.

The year 2006 was one that saw an increase in box office receipts and an overall decline in the quality of pictures. The highest grossing movie of the year was "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," and it obliterated the most coveted record in Hollywood by beating "Spider-Man's" opening weekend. But "Pirates" received mixed reviews, with most people, including me, feeling that it paled in comparison to the first movie. This list reflects the best of the popcorn movies, which were presented by the studios instead of more drama-driven pictures.

A memorial comedy show celebrating the life of Danville native Holly Henson, and featuring nationally known comics Jim Wiggins and Bob Batch, will be held at 8 p.m. May 11 at the Pioneer Playhouse indoor stage. All proceeds from the event, which will include a silent auction and cash bar, will benefit “Stand Up 2 Cancer,” an organization that works to fund innovative cancer research and to give new therapy access to those who need it now. Henson, who died after a long battle with breast cancer on May 27, 2012, was both artistic director of Pioneer Playhouse and a successful stand-up comic.

Retired teacher Billy Goldsmith, 51, used to tell his students to take their test the way they use the bathroom - use your own paper and don't look at your neighbor. But he admits to audiences at standup comedy shows that he used to take tests like an Oakland Raider - if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying. After about a year of performing, the Boyle County High School assistant football coach tested his comedic chops at Comedy Off Broadway's open mic competition this summer in Lexington and finished in the top 10 in a field of about 65 amateurs.

LIBERTY — It’s a good, old-fashioned Casey County family reunion complete with fried chicken, hash brown casserole, green Jell-O salad and ... murder? That’s right. The newest member of the family, “Daddy” Dave, meets his untimely death at the same time this mixed-up extended family gets ready to have their annual meet, greet, eat and brag. Who could possibly be the murderer? In this loony family, it could be anybody. Attendees will meet a nice but very boring minister; a hot-to-trot granny; an Archie Bunker wannabe; a hippie who never really left the 1960s; a “psychic” who might just really be psychotic; two very different sets of twins; and a cast of other crazies along with very familiar kissin’ cousins in the latest Casey County comedy offering by Joberta Wells.

Boyle County's Eddie Montgomery of the country duo Montgomery Gentry will be making his acting debut tonight in the new comedy show "Rodney," starring standup comedian Rodney Carrington. Montgomery's scene - which he admits is not too much of a stretch for him - will be in the Blue Goose Bar, and his character's name is Mike. "Rodney" airs on ABC from 9:30-10:00.