Winner of ‘College Comedy Challenge' Gets Booking

SUSSEX COUNTY-Catch A Rising Star Comedy Clubs has a well-known reputation for discovering new comedic talent. The club that helped launch the careers of standouts like Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Rosie O'Donnell and Jerry Seinfeld, is seeking to "catch" the best talent that colleges have to offer. Several New Jersey colleges are taking part in the first annual Catch A Rising Star "College Comedy Challenge" this spring. Nearly 30 college comedians competed in the first round of the competition, which was held in February. Eight of those first round winners, including Gina Maria Cicchine of Sussex County, will now compete at the Hyatt Regency on Route 1, home of Catch A Rising Star's Princeton club, on Monday May 2. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. Comedians representing Princeton University, Rider University, Lawrenceville, and Centenary College, Hackettstown, will vie for the best of the college challengers, with the winner receiving a paid gig at one of Catch's clubs. "Catch A Rising Star is always looking for the next great comedian," said Craig Neier, CEO of Catch A Rising Star. "Who knows? This could be the start of a great new career for one of these individuals." Neier noted that plans are being made to expand the competition throughout the country and possibly be made into a reality TV show. The following comedians will be appearing at the May 2 show, which will be hosted by Scott Bruce. Princeton University: Marissa Biaggi; Patrick Cunningham, Jason Lawrence. Rider University: Gina Maria Cicchino, Matt Cook, and the team of Kevin Feehy and Casey Jost. Centenary College: Brian Nauer, George Opoka. Catch A Rising Star Comedy Clubs has been a tradition since 1972 when it opened its first club in New York City. Catch A Rising Star has an impressive roster of alumni: among them, Williams, Crystal, O'Donnell, Seinfeld, Bill Maher, Richard Belzer, Ray Romano, Jon Lovitz, Chris Rock, Bob Saget and Robert Wuhl. Several Catch A Rising Star related TV specials have been aired by HBO, CBS and other networks. For further information about Catch A Rising Star, visit www.catcharisingstar.com. For ticket information to the college comedy show, call Janet at 973-227-8787.