NewsRelease

(Posted 3-24-04)
Contact: Steve Gilliam, 336-334-5371

Mark Russell to Bring Laughs to UNCG April 17
 

GREENSBORO – Humorist Mark Russell will skewer the 2004 presidential race and other news  of the day when he performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 17, in Aycock Auditorium at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Accompanied by the red-white-and-blue piano from his PBS specials, Russell will conclude UNCG’s 2003-04 University Concert/Lecture Series. Ticket prices are $35, $30 and $25 depending on seating. Free parking is available in the parking lot behind the Weatherspoon Art Museum. For tickets, call the University Box Office (336-334-4849) weekday afternoons.

Known for topical humor and for styling politics and news into show tunes and popular scores, Russell has been on PBS for 27 seasons. His answer to the frequently asked question, "Do you have any writers?" is "Oh, yes...I have 535 writers – 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives." More information – and a joke log – can be found on his website: www.markrussell.net.

He began to pursue comedy while serving a hitch in the U.S. Marines. After time in Japan and Hawaii, he was transferred to Quantico, Va., were he began performing comedy routines at nightspots clustered around the base. He performed in clubs along the East coast after his discharge from the Marines, then in local clubs in Washington, D.C.

Influenced by Mort Sahl and Tom Lehrer, his act took on an increasingly sophisticated political flavor and became a favorite with Washington politicos. By the time he reached the Shoreham Hotel in 1961, Russell had an act that made him an attraction there for the next 20 years.

Today, in addition to PBS specials, Russell performs regularly around the country on college campuses and for business groups as well as in his favorite place, public theatres. In addition to writing all his own material, he writes a nationally syndicated column, has recorded 4 LPs and 3 CDs, has written a book and appears frequently as a guest commentator on news programs. He has hosted NBC’s comedy news program “Real People,” a show described as a precursor to Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” He also writes a syndicated news column.

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