Welcome to Finals Night! Proceeds from this fundraiser will support The Norwalk Conservatory's scholarship fund, the future of standup in Connecticut and beyond! For the show, six college students will take the stage to present their Stand-Up course's finals! The event wil feature opening remarks by the legendary former Queen of Mean Lisa Lampanelli, and a performance by the Season One Finalist of
Bring the Funny on NBC, Chris O'Neill.
The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts is an accredited college based in Norwalk, CT offering Associates Degrees in Television & Film, Musical Theatre, and Musical Theatre Dance. The conservatory's mission is to deliver exceptional education to aspiring artists while fostering a positive influence within the local arts community.
With a career that spanned more than 30 years, Lisa Lampanelli was a constant on the comedy scene. With numerous tours, 2 Grammy nominations, sold-out appearances at Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall under her belt, Lisa announced her retirement from stand-up comedy on the Howard Stern radio program in late 2018 and is now dedicating her life to writing and performing in storytelling shows, coaching comedy and storytelling, and being a general overall bad-ass. Her play, STUFFED, enjoyed two off-Broadway runs in 2016 and 2017, and her appearances on the Comedy Central Roasts and the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” are career highlights. Lisa also raised $130,000 for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis during season 5 of NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” and is the 2024 Global Ambassador for the North Shore Animal League of America.
Chris O'Neill is a comedian and Broadway actor best known for playing the role of Elder Arnold Cunningham in the musical The Book of Mormon, which won him a Helen Hayes Award. In addition to Broadway, his two-man comedy act, The Chris and Paul Show, are international comedy award winners, with such accolades as Best Newcomer Nominee – Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Best Actor in a Comedy (Chris & Paul tied) - New York Television Festival, Best Sketch Comedy Duo - the INNY Awards, Best Newcomer - the Montreal Comedy Festival, Best Sketch Group - the New Jacks Comedy Competition, Best Sketch Group - Jackpot Sketch Festival, & Best Comedy Troupe - Chicago Snubfest Festival. The duo competed in the NBC comedy competition television series Bring the Funny, making it to the finals of the show's first season.
