Eric Albert has been been quietly building a comedy home base in Sloatsburg, and Friday night will be the one year coming out celebration for Characters Comedy Night.
On the last Friday of the month for the last year, Albert has turned the upstairs room at the restaurant into a laugh factory, attended by an enthusiastic hometown crowd and people who come in for the shows from the surrounding area.
“About a year ago I thought it would be a good idea to get comedy in here,” said Albert, who lives in Sloatsburg, and even attended Sloatsburg Elementary School, for those who keep tabs on how much time you’ve done in Sloatsburg.
“I spoke to Jenny and everyone, and the first question I asked them was — how open are you guys to doing something that Rhodes can’t do?” Albert said. Jenny Kirby, along with her sister Dionne Acton and Dionne’s husband Tommy Acton, own and operate Characters.
The answer, of course, was “very interested.” Characters has the perfect room for comedy. Located straight up the wide wooden steps in front of the restaurant’s main doors, the spacious room has it’s own bar and fireplace and, when full, glows with intimacy.
“I feel like this building is my house,” Albert said. “We’ve cultivated this, we’ve been doing the show for a year.” Albert also runs the weekly Wednesday Trivia Night at Characters, which takes place in the bar at 8 p.m.
Monty Mason, shown with Albert in the photo above, has been a headliner and host at Characters’ comedy nights in the past — and he’ll host Friday’s all-star show. Mason’s high energy patter and sound effects will keep the audience up for the night’s special headliner.
“We have a seasoned city comic coming in — Sheba Mason,” said Albert, smiling at the coup. Mason is the daughter of comic legend Jackie Mason. “She does clubs in the city nightly and we were lucky enough to get her for our one year anniversary show.”
Albert, along with his partner Dave Saitzyk, produce the comedy shows through their outfit, Slaughter Stand-Up. Friday’s bill will feature Albert and Saitzyk, as well Dan Dimarino, Brian Sewall and Eric Braunstein, with Monty Mason as emcee.
The show starts at 9 p.m. in the upstairs room, costs $5 bucks, and also involves a two drink minimum. A pretty good deal any way you cut it as laughter and libations are a good combination.
The local event shows that Sloatsburg’s next generation are bringing things to the community. So, think about getting out Friday night for laughs.
As Auntie Mame said: “Yes! Live! Life’s a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!”
Slaughter Sland-Up presents Comedy Night at Characters Restaurant in Sloatsburg, Friday, January 25 at 9 p.m. Admission is $5. Sheba Mason will be headlining the show.
