On Sunday, September 3rd, Joy Behar’s Friends with Benefits A Comedy Fundraiser for The Retreat sent off the Hampton’s summer season with a BANG! Wow! The crowd at East Hampton’s Guild Hall screamed: “We LOVE you, Joy”! The Emmy-winning talk show host of ABC’s “The View,” had the crowd roaring with laughter.
Marlo Thomas and husband Phil Donahue were among the attendees. Actor Adam Pally, actor, and Producer Bob Balaban, David Zaslav – CEO of Discovery Communications, Don Lemon – Host of CNN Tonight, Henry Schleiff – President of Discovery Communications and Sunny Hostin, co-host of The View were also in attendance.
There was also a special musical performance by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love. The audience loved her performance of her #1 1962 American Single He’s a Rebel followed by Da Do Run Run, then River Deep Mountain High.
Other leading comics joined Behar including HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Susie Essman, Comedy Central’s “The President Show” star Anthony Atamanuik and the charismatic “Sex in the City”star Mario Cantone.
“When I found out the number of children impacted by physical abuse, it got to me as a mother and grandmother and I wanted to use whatever influence I had to support The Retreat,”
“This wonderful organization provides shelter to so many families and that was enough to make me want to do something. So I called on some of my friends who happen to be very funny and talented and they generously agreed to make us laugh and entertain us for this great cause,” said Behar.
The Discovery Channel and all money from sponsorships & ticket sales go directly to The Retreat.
About the Retreat: The Retreat is a safe haven for families in crisis in the Hamptons and the East End of Long Island. For more than 30 years, the community-based, not-for-profit agency has provided comprehensive domestic violence services for children and adults, support for survivors, and prevention community education. For more information: www.theretreatinc.org
About Joy Behar: Behar is among today’s leading comic talents performing on the stage, film, and television. Along with the 2009 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host, she is also the recipient of three MAC awards, a CableAce award, and a 2000 GLAAD award for her outstanding friendship to the Gay community. Behar has hosted her own shows, including a call-in radio show on WABC, “The Joy Behar Show” on HLN, and “Say Anything” on Current TV. She wrote and performed in her own solo show, “Me, My Mouth and I,” at the Cherry Lane Theatre. She recently acted in Woody Allen’s Amazon series, “Crisis in Six Scenes.” Behar has written five books, including two children’s books and her upcoming book to be released in the fall of 2017.
For more information on the Retreat click HERE
