The serious business of saving the Town Theater in Highland will get some lighthearted help Friday as the Tomfoolery Fun Club takes the stage on its behalf.
The Highland Town Council voted in October to resurrect the beloved but rundown movie theater. Since then, a cadre of volunteers has been raising money to help fund operating costs once the building rehabilitation is complete. Tom Byelick of Hammond will lend his comedy variety act to the effort.
Byelick’s show pulls from a stable of 20 to 25 local comedians and musicians. The Hammond resident, a former pharmaceutical salesman, started the Tomfoolery Fun Club after returning to Northwest Indiana to find what he called “a dearth of casual entertainment.” He and girlfriend Michele Piskol hosted their first show about a year ago at Langel’s Pizzeria in Highland to modest success.
“We charged $20 per ticket, and people really liked it,” Byelick said. “We pride ourselves on having a diverse range of talent, and we offer a mix at each show. Some do improv; some do standup, and we’ve had a magician even. It’s starting to pick up traction. The last crowd we had was about 50 people.”
Along with offering diversity, Byelick prides himself in appealing to the 30-and-older crowd without resorting to Richard Pryor-like means to get good laughs.
“We appeal to the audience who’s looking for something to do that’s relaxed,” Byelick said. “But we do keep our comedy clean.”
The Town Theater holds a special place in Byelick’s heart. Like many who grew up in Northwest Indiana, he remembers going to the Town when he was young to see movies and eat cake during intermission. When talk first began about bringing back the Town, he approached organizers about hosting a Tomfoolery show and donating all the proceeds to the cause.
Byelick’s show could be quite a shot in the arm. If he sells 400 tickets at $25 apiece, $10,000 would go to the cause. An additional $5,000 to $10,000 could be raised througha silent auction.
While Byelick is proud to raise money for the cause, he admits his reasons for doing so are also a bit selfish. The Town, which will host more than just movies once it’s open for business, will be a perfect venue for future Tomfoolery shows.
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“If we can help raise money, we can also help bring more live events to it,” he said. “We want to get our show in front of more people.”
On the roster for Friday night’s benefit include comedians Gia Claire, Lucky Luciano and Jay Washington, a former professional wrestler. Music will be provided by The Famous Brothers, which is led by Will Klinger, a host of Wild America on WTTW.
The Save the Town show will be held from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Wicker Park Social Center, 2215 Ridge Road in Highland. For more information, visit tomfooleryfunclub.com. Tickets can be purchased at the Highland Town Hall, 333 Ridge Road or at http://www.eventbrite.com/o/tom-byelick-5859593027?ref=eorgbtn