Catch a Rising Star (comedy clubs)

Last updated
Catch a Rising Star
Industry Comedy clubs
FoundedDecember 1972
Founder Rick Newman
Headquarters,
OwnerSuzy Yengo Esq.
Website catcharisingstar.com

Catch a Rising Star is a chain of comedy clubs, founded in New York City in December 1972 and owned by Rick Newman. [1] It has since spread to other areas, such as Las Vegas and New Jersey. It is currently owned by Suzy Yengo Esq.

The original club in New York City was notable for its role in starting the careers of many famous singers and comedians, [2] many of whom enjoyed later success in television, theater and film. Among these are: Pat Benatar, [3] Billy Crystal, [4] Robin Williams, [5] Bill Maher, [5] Joy Behar, [5] Jerry Seinfeld, [5] Andy Kaufman, [4] Richard Belzer, [5] Adam Sandler, [5] Elayne Boosler, [5] Eddie Murphy, [5] Larry David, [5] Ray Romano, [5] Richard Lewis, [5] Chris Rock, [5] and Louis C.K. [6]

The original club has since gone out of business. [6] Its former location was on 1st Avenue between East 78th Street and East 77th Street. In the late 1990s, the club was located on West 28th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. The chain is currently negotiating to build a new club in the New York area.

Other locations throughout the US are located in Princeton, New Jersey, Reno, Las Vegas, Twin River Casino, Rhode Island and the new Catch A Rising Star on Broadway in New York.[ citation needed ]

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Rick Newman was an American comedy club owner who in 1972 opened the comedy club Catch a Rising Star in Manhattan on First Avenue near East 78th Street. It became a place to showcase emerging stand-up comedians. Some of the most famous comedians who worked there include Robin Williams, Andy Kaufman, Jay Leno, Billy Crystal, Freddie Prinze, Richard Belzer, Joe Piscopo, and David Brenner. Singers, musicians, jugglers, and animal acts were also featured at the comedy club.

References

  1. "Rick Newman and the Magic of Catch A Rising Star". The Interrobang. 2014-11-30. Retrieved 2017-10-14.
  2. Zoglin, Richard (2009). Comedy at the Edge: How Stand-up in the 1970s Changed America. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 95–96. ISBN   9781582346250.
  3. Federman, Wayne (2016-02-20). "One Comedian Remembers the Many Rooms He Played in New York and Los Angeles". Vulture.com . Retrieved 2017-10-14.
  4. 1 2 Zinoman, Jason (2012-11-28). "A Big City Is a Crowded Room". The New York Times . Retrieved 2017-10-14.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Brunner, Jeryl (2014-03-20). "How David Brenner Helped Launch the Success of the Legendary Club Catch a Rising Star". Huffington Post . Retrieved 2017-10-14.
  6. 1 2 "John Oliver, Danny McBride, and more talk failure with Marc Maron in Waiting for the Punch". Entertainment Weekly . 2017-10-09. Retrieved 2017-10-14.