This Thursday, Sept. 26, the Boston comedy scene will be celebrating one of their most beloved comics, as Rich Gustus will be joined by many of his friends in comedy to help raise money and spread awareness of The Boston Home, a residence for adults with advanced multiple sclerosis and other progressive neurological disorders. This night of comedy will take place at Florian Hall in Dorchester as a Comedy Night Fundraiser for The Boston Home with some special guests from Gustus’ career.
Gustus has been a fixture on the stand-up comedy scene since 1987, making numerous television appearances from the Comedy Central show “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist,” to “The Steve Katsos Show” and Conan O’Brien. He is a respected comedian and has opened up for such big names as Bill Maher, Kevin Nealon and Dennis Leary. Apart from his work in TV and on the road, Gustus has been a comedy teacher for the past 25 years.
In 2000, Gustus was diagnosed with MS. Instead of shying away from the stage, he chose to use it as an outlet to share his struggles and experiences with this disease. But as time went on, the disease made it much more difficult for Gustus to perform.
“I want to perform onstage one more time before I lose my voice to MS,” Gustus said in a statement. “I am so excited to be performing again with my friends.”
The star-studded show will include such famed Boston comedians as Tony V, Christine Hurley, and Artie Januario, as well as sound engineer Ed Regal.
“Rich is a legend among Boston comedians,” Tony V said in a statement, of helping to organize this special night. “He opened for some of the greats. He also taught comedy workshops and classes for years. We are honored to host this fundraiser for Rich and to raise funds for The Boston Home, where he is receiving excellent care.”
Christine Reilly, chief executive officer of The Boston Home, is completely thrilled by the commitment of Gustus’ friends as well as to be expanding the organization’s presence in the community and making sure its mission is known.
“I am so grateful to Tony V, Christine Hurley, Artie Januario and Ed Regal for donating their time and talent to the Comedy Night Fundraiser,” she said in a statement. “We are all looking forward to a very special night.”
This now-sold-out event will include a buffet-style dinner, a cash bar, and a raffle and live auction, all to raise funds to upgrade The Boston Home’s television service system to make sure all of its residents have high-definition cable to enjoy. Some of the prizes include lunch with Mayor Marty Walsh, backstage passes to the Dropkick Murphys’ St. Patrick’s Day Concert, and a one-week stay at a gorgeous home in Pebble Beach, California.
If you can’t attend and would like to send gifts in support, visit thebostonhome.org or send by mail to: The Boston Home, 2049 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02124.
For more information, please contact Maribeth McKenzie-MacDonald, director of Philanthropy and Communications, at mmacdonald@thebostonhome.org.
