Thursday, January 20, 2011
3377 New Castle Road, West Middlesex, PA
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa.
Dave Robich, who successfully ran The Funny Farm comedy club at the former Holiday Inn MetroPlex Hotel in Liberty for 19 years, is relaunching the club at the Radisson Hotel here.
Robich was forced out of the old Funny Farm location after the hotel changed hands in 2007. He moved the club to Niles in 2008 and sold it in 2009. The new owners moved it to the Radisson but quickly ceased operations.
The new Funny Farm will open Friday in the same room in the Radisson, with national comedian Chili Challis, who is a regular on the “Bob & Tom Radio Show,” as the inaugural act.
As for Robich, he said he’s glad to be back in the comedy business.
“I am very excited to be bringing comedy back to the area,” he said. “I definitely missed it. From the feedback I have received, I believe a lot of our past customers will be glad to see comedy back in the area.”
Robich already has a good working relationship with the Radisson management team, because most of them worked at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex when the Funny Farm was there.
The owners of the hotel, now simply called the MetroPlex, also are attempting to start a comedy club and had tried to get Robich to run the club.
“The Radisson management team is a big part of the reason I decided to bring the comedy there,” said Robich. “I believe our success will have a lot to do with teamwork between the hotel, nightclub and Funny Farm.”
The Radisson and The Funny Farm will offer dinner/show packages, as well as weekend getaway packages, said Robich.
The comedy club will bring in national acts every weekend. Already booked are Tammy Pescatelli, whose new series, “A Stand Up Mother,” debuts Tuesday on WE; as well as Dan Grueter.
Robich said he also will partner with the Youngstown Comedy Syndicate, a group of local comedians, to supply house emcees and opening acts. He’s been working with YCS chief Matt Liller on possibly starting a sketch-comedy night and an open-mic night.
The Funny Farm seats about 100. For acts that will draw larger crowds, the hotel ballroom will be used.
To make reservations for Funny Farm shows, or for more information, call 724-906-6164.
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