Big city comedy in little Goshen

Goshen — Time Magazine called Jimmy Brogan “a stand-up comedian admired by other comedians.” See and hear this “comic’s comic” for yourself next month when he comes to Goshen for a benefit performance. Brogan and another stand-up comic, Brian Kiley, will perform at the Goshen Rotary’s Club’s annual “Comedy for a Cause” at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 11, at Goshen High School. Bill Keller of Goshen, another funnyman, organized the event. He’s brought top-flight comedy to Goshen audiences twice before. He will serve as emcee and treat the audience to some of his own hilarity. Brogan worked with Jay Leno for nine years on “The Tonight Show” as a comic, writer, and talent coordinator. Brogan opens for Leno when he performs at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California. Leno calls Brogan every Sunday to ask if they’re riding together. “He picks me up in one of his 80 exotic cars,” Brogan said. “We ride in a different one every Sunday. This has been a ritual since 1991.” Brogan’s comic credentials also include appearances on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and “The Jerry Seinfeld Special,” and as an audience warm-up comic for sitcoms, including “Seinfeld,” “Cheers,” “Taxi,” “Newhart,” and “The Golden Girls.” He’s performed in comedy clubs across the country, including Comic Strip Live in New York City. “I’ve written two movies and I’ve seen three others,” he quipped. Brian Kiley has also appeared on the Leno and Letterman shows, and “The CBS Morning Show.” He is a regular at Caroline’s Comedy Club in New York City. He has been a staff writer for “The Conan O’Brien Show” since it began in 1994. “I’ve played here in Goshen, and I’m coming back for more,” Kiley said, referring to his past appearances in “Comedy for a Cause.” Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Rotary Scholarship Fund and the Goshen Ecumenical Food Pantry. Sponsors include Stephen Brown, CPA; Dickover, Donnelly, Donovan and Biagi, LLP; Goshen Rotary; Hudson Valley Investment Advisors; Judelson, Giordano, Siegel; Provident Bank; Maureen and Ray Quattrini; and Allen, and Elizabeth Zick. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the First Presbyterian Church of Goshen, St. James Episcopal Church, Joe Fix It’s, Liz’s Place Beauty Salon, and the law office of Dickover, Donnelly, Donovan and Biagi and in Chester at Chester Valley Tires and Winn Cards and Comics. A “Tickets Sold Here” poster will be in the business window. Tickets will also be available at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.