Yorktown Resident to Host Comedy Show at Paramount
By Robert Christie
The Paramount theatre in Peekskill is back and it has a new name, the Paramount Hudson Valley. The 2013 re-opening will be slightly different than the opening in 1930. This time, there will be four events in a span of two weeks. Also, the kick-off event won’t be a symphony performance or a movie—it will be a comedy show.
The show, entitled “Rolling in the Isles,” will feature comics Buddy Fitzpatrick and John DeVito.
Fitzpatrick has made a name for himself in New York City clubs and has even appeared in the movies, “Harlem Arian” and “The Business of Strangers.” He has also been on Comedy Central a number of times.
DeVito has performed twice on “The Late Late Show with Chris Ferguson and finished in the semi-final round on NBC’s Last Comic Standing.
It will be hosted by local comic John Iavarone, a Yorktown resident, winner of MTV’s Improv Comedy Show and performer of many shows at Mohegan Sun, Dangerfields and Empire Casino.
“I guess Adele had so much success with Rolling in the Deep, they decided to call it Rolling in the Isles,” joked Iavarone.
Iavarone said re-opening the theater with a comedy show brings a more universal feeling than if the theater had re-opened with a play or symphony orchestra performance.
“Comedy is first of all universal, it extends to everybody,” said Iavarone. “Everyone likes to laugh.”
Iavarone added most people will probably choose to go see the show with a friend, since people like to recall funny moments together.
“Rolling in the Isles” will take place on July 12. The comedy with be followed by “Kiddie Palooza” on July 13, “Shut up, Sit Down & Eat” on July 19 and “Peekskill’s Jazz and Blues Festival” on July 27.
For more information, call the Paramount at 914-739-0039. For tickets, go to paramounthudsonvalley.com.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
