National Comedy Theatre Prepares to Entertain U.S. Troops in Iraq

New York, NY –The National Comedy Theatre, one of the leading improv comedy companies in the country, has been selected out of hundreds of entertainment groups to entertain U.S. troops overseas. Starting February 21st, the group will perform as part of a four-week tour visiting troops in Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Djibouti, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. . This is the fourth time that the NCT has been selected to perform for the Armed Forces.

“The Tour is a marathon of shows, travel and little sleep,” says NCT Artistic Director and 'Big Cheese,' Gary Kramer. “We will be performing in mess halls, officer's clubs, theaters, tents and outside facilities. It's just like Bob Hope's tours, except for the dancing girls and the celebrities…and Bob Hope,” he adds.

This year, the Tour will be in more dangerous areas, such as Iraq and Saudi Arabia. “The bases in Iraq contain upwards of 10,000 people, all with weapons,” adds Kramer “We’ve been told that we’re safer there than in midtown Manhattan. They obviously haven’t spent much time in the subway.”

In an ironic twist, one of the performers, David Tierney, is a former Marine who served in Desert Storm. This will be David’s first time back to the Middle East since returning home. "I dropped my keys in the sand when I was there before, so this will be my opportunity to get back into my apartment. I sure would like to see my girlfriend again," he quips.

According to Kramer, the tour lasts from February 21st to March 18th. Despite the lack of sleep and the comforts of home, Kramer says all of the NCT performers find the tour extremely rewarding. “To hear the laughter of a group of soldiers who are constantly placed in harm's way is enormously uplifting,” he states. “I think we get as much out of it as they do.”

For more information, contact the National Comedy Theatre at 212-629-5202 or www.manhattancomedy.com

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