Laughs at the library

Residents have come once a month since September 2004 to see local comedian Mark Brier at the East Meadow Public Library. The 64-year-old East Meadow resident has been performing stand-up since his divorce more than 30 years ago.

“I moved in with three guys and one said, ‘You’re really funny.’” Brier has been collecting laughs ever since.

Jude Schanzer, director of public relations and programming, brought comedy to the library. “I like to laugh,” she said.

Schanzer recalled meeting Brier at the library nearly eight years ago. “I thought he was funny,” she said. “He said he was a stand-up comedian and I said, sit down.”

Each month at least four comics perform in the library basement. At the November performance, there were seven; Mark Brier, Monica Taller, Pat Gagliardi, Frank Prince, Steve Kay, Rich Walker and Dr. Harry Freedman. Each comedian portrayed a different persona, but they all do it for the laughs, not the money.

“For me, it’s about giving back,” said Prince, who has been performing stand-up for about one year and works as a custodian at a senior center to pay the bills.

While the show attracts an older crowd, “it’s for anyone who wants to come,” said Schanzer, but Brier added that many regulars include United Cerebral Palsy, local senior centers and assisted living and group home residents.

The stage is for practice

A lone microphone stood among the scattered audience in the basement of the East Meadow Public Library on Monday. The comedians braved the silence and performed one-by-one for the nearly 20 people in attendance.

Audience size varies each month and Brier said that 82 people attended the October performance. Some comics also joked that this month the audience was stiff.

“Folks, you’ve got to let it out. Just feel the laughter,” said Walker, of East Meadow. A few jokes later he added, “Let me see what else won’t work,” which garnered a chuckle.

“I don’t know what we’re doing here,” commented Kay after a few jokes yielded little results. “Practice,” responded a witty female in the audience.

The comedians may have been practicing, but they did invite laughter over the two-hour performance. Brier engaged in spoonerism, switching letters around, to retell Cinderella. “There once was a tairyfale,” he began.