Long Island Iced Tea Dreams

 by Rhonda Hansome

This Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19^th and 20^th I’ll be MC at the Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore, NY.  It’s my first time back on stage in Long Island since my return to comedy in 2009.  These days, every time I’m accepted or rejected by a booker or a club where I formerly featured or headlined, it’s an all too interesting experience of ego and memory.

In the 80’s I cut my comedy teeth in Long Island in venues like Brokerage and my L.I. “home” club Governor’s , where Jackie “The Jokeman” Martling gave me my first paying gig and newbie, Rosie O’Donnell frequently complimented my act.  I actually became known as an honorary L. I. comic.  Eventually with every gig my name was mentioned in the local paper and my picture graced every marquee.  Comedy was king and I felt like an empress.  The true jewel in my crown of L.I. comedy memories remains my regular gigs hosting male strip shows at numerous night clubs. 

Escapes was my favorite male strip review.  Because I was just learning to drive in those pre-GPS days, I’d always give myself plenty of time to get lost and still arrive on time.  At least that’s what I told myself every night I was early to Escapes.  The fact that I got to hang out in the dressing room with a bevy of gorgeous men in various states of glorious undress was a great inducement to get there early.  That and the one “Long Island Iced Tea” I’d order upon my early arrival and sip through an evening of hosting hundreds of  dollar bill waving women, all squealing approval of the male-strippers.  Halcyon days… well they were actually nights, hot halcyon nights.

But Dear Reader* that was then and this is now.  You won’t see my name on the website or my picture on the marquee.  I’m a bit too embarrassed to mention my two night’s pay for 3 shows – just imagine I have no change after buying pizza and pantyhose.   I’m not complaining, I’m just saying… See me on the comeback trail, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19^th and 20^th  at Brokerage Comedy Club on Merrick Road, Bellmore, NY.  The first person to say, “Rhonda Hansome is one funny Negro”** gets a Long Island Iced Tea on me!

http://tickets.brokeragecomedy.com/show.cfm?id=179356

*All three of you should come to see me live!

**A quote from my mother…