Johnson Hall going for post turkey day laughs

GARDINER — In the 1980s, Benny and Denise Reehl of the New England New Vaudeville Review started an annual post Thanksgiving tradition by creating a wild variety show called The Leftover Turkey Variety Show. Knowing that families would come together to be with family and feast on food the day before, the Reehls created a variety show that was a feast of comedy that the whole family could enjoy.

Johnson Hall, 280 Water St., is carrying on that tradition by pulling together performers from all over the state for two shows to showcase the many talents of Maine’s physical, verbal and musical comics. The shows, both beginning at 7:30 p.m., are Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28. Tickets are available by phoning the box office at 582-7144, Tuesday through Friday from noon-3 p.m., or by visiting: www.johnsonhall.org. Ticket fees are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $5 for children.

This year’s shows will feature the talents of Michael Trautman (a.k.a. King Pong), Joel Eckhaus (a.k.a. Ukulele Eck), character comic Mike Miclon, internationally known juggler Michael Menes, world-class magician, Leland Faulkner, the comedic music of Oren Robinson and April Reed-Cox and many more.