Stageloft Repertory Theater’s traditional New Year’s Eve charity show raised $600 to benefit the food pantry run by the Southbridge-based Blessed John Paul II Parish.
This year’s edition, a two-performance series of skits, Borscht-Belt jokes and classic comedy routines, was again modeled on the 1970s TV oddity, “The Gong Show” — complete with The Unknown Comic on hand to annoy emcee Mark Bourdeau.
As usual, “Gong Show” Judge Dave Glanville wielded his mallet with authority, and the audience was encouraged to voice its approval — or displeasure — with each act.
This is second consecutive year that the New Year’s Eve performances benefited the Blessed John Paul II pantry, which serves low-income residents of Southbridge and Sturbridge.
Click this link to learn more about the food pantry.
Past New Year’s Eve charity performances have aided organizations such as Sturbridge-based Rehabilitative Resources Inc.; the local St. Anne’s parish food pantry, and Abby’s House in Worcester.
The shows, which have been performed for about a decade, have raised in excess of $1,200 in some years, according to Stageloft founder Ed Cornely.
