Comedy for Koby gears up for spring tour

Ryan Hamilton, Ty Barnett and Sarge lead laughing lineup to benefit Koby Mandell Foundation.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Microphone (photo credit: INGIMAGE)
Microphone
(photo credit: INGIMAGE)
American funnymen Ryan Hamilton, Ty Barnett and Sarge will be making their Israeli debuts as they join veteran Avi Liberman for the upcoming Comedy for Koby tour to benefit the Koby Mandell Foundation.
“I look forward to every tour,” said the Israeli-born, Los Angeles-based Liberman, who has been coming to Israel to perform for over a decade. “All three of these guys are not only hilarious, but it’s interesting to see their impressions of the country as they visit for the first time.”
Hamilton was named one of Rolling Stone’s “Five Comics to Watch” and has appeared on Conan, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Comics Unleashed and The Late Late Show.
“I’ve been trying to work out my schedule to be on this tour for several years,” said Hamilton.
“And I’ve been hoping to get to Israel long before that.
Can’t wait!” Barnett, a finalist on Last Comic Standing, has appeared multiple times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as well as on HBO’s Bad Boys of Comedy.
“Comedy is universal,” said Barnett. “Laughter is needed in this world and I’m very proud to be a part of making that happen.”
Sarge has been featured on HBO and Comedy Central and CBS. He has performed in Radio City Music Hall in New York and has opened for Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin and the Beach Boys. A musical savant able to play by ear, Sarge incorporates piano into his set.
“I am so stoked to be part of this legendary tour and can’t wait to meet the people,” said Sarge. “Its my first trip to Israel.
I was born a black Jew at Mt.
Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach.
How cool that I’ll be spending my birthday [June 1st] in the shadows of Mt. Sinai. For one whole week it’ll be the land of milk and funny!” All proceeds from the Comedy for Koby tour go to benefit programs of The Koby Mandell Foundation, named in memory of Koby Mandell, who was killed in a terrorist attack in 2001 at age 13. Working with bereaved children and families, the foundation offers ongoing social and therapeutic programs including Camp Koby.
“Bringing this level of comedy to Israel gives us so much joy,” said Seth Mandell, father of Koby and co-founder of the foundation. “It allows others to associate me and my family with a smile and a laugh rather than just with sadness and trepidation. Not only does the money from the shows go to help the bereaved families, but the shows bring much needed laughter and release for the community at a time of tension and near daily terrorism.
The shows, hosted by Liberman, will be arriving in Modi’in on May 29, Beit Shemesh on May 30, Tel Aviv on June 1, Jerusalem on June 2, Gush Etzion on June 4 and Herzliya on June 5.