Legendary actor Jane Fonda is funny. This may be something we forget, because most of her work has been quite serious. In the films Cat Ballou and 9 To 5, her comedic acting was in full force; and most recently, she shares top billing with Lily Tomlin in the terrific new TV comedy, Grace and Frankie. Ms. Fonda can be very funny.
Laughter is a great way to bring people together to understand serious topics. This month, Fonda is combining the serious with the funny. Fonda is hosting a night of comedy at the renowned comedy club, Caroline's On Broadway, and doing so for a good cause. The Fund for Women’s Equality and the ERA Coalition today announced their inaugural “A Night of Comedy with Jane Fonda” comedy event at Caroline's on Broadway on Sunday, February 7. The evening will include performances from Judah Friedlander (30 Rock), Sasheer Zamata (Saturday Night Live), Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show), Michelle Buteau (Key & Peele and The Eric Andre Show), Gina Brillon (White Guy Talk Show) and additional names to be announced.
Photo by Tony Duran
The inaugural event, produced by writer, filmmaker and activist Agunda Okeyo, will bring together supporters of women’s rights and equality, including Gloria Steinem, plus some comic relief. As a New Yorker of Kenyan descent lauded for her ongoing Broadway showcase "Sisters of Comedy", Okeyo produces with a unique appreciation for humor, solidarity and social change.
"Growing up in the business I have always felt it is important to use my voice and stand with my colleagues and friends to support women's rights and equality. We hope to use the magic of comedy to help raise awareness of pay inequity, pregnancy discrimination, and violence against women, and to help promote constitutional equality for women,” said Jane Fonda.
“80% of Americans think women already have equal rights under the law - 95% of all Americans think we should, but the fact is that we don’t. The Equal Rights Amendment would put women in the Constitution once and for all,” said Jessica Neuwirth, President & Director of the Fund for Women’s Equality and its sister organization the ERA Coalition. “We are grateful to Jane Fonda and all of the performing comedians for giving their time and talent to our cause, and we very much welcome laughter that will help us move the campaign forward.”
For more information on the event please visit http://www.eracoalition.org/comedy.
