Comedian Bob Marley performs Sept. 22, 2010, in Portland as part of a nonstop 40-hour standup routine that broke the Guinness Book of Records previous mark of 38 hours and 6 minutes. (The Associated Press)
Known as New England’s King of Comedy, Marley is a Maine native who, after living in Los Angeles for several years, returned to his home state where he now lives with his wife and three children.
According to the Guinness World Records website, Marley holds the record for longest standup comedy show by an individual, after he told jokes nonstop for 40 hours at the Comedy Connection in Portland from Sept. 22 to Sept. 23, 2010. All proceeds were donated to the Barbara Bush Children Hospital in Portland.
Marley continues to capitalize on his ability to engender group laughter to raise money for several Maine high school Project Graduation efforts. He has two such shows scheduled April 25 and April 26 at Mt. Ararat High School and Lisbon High School, respectively.
Marley estimates he has been doing special shows to benefit Project Graduation for at least a decade — with as many as 80 shows in a year for a total of 500 to 600 events in all.
This year, he has about 25 Project Graduation benefit shows scheduled. He does it because Project Graduation is a great program and, in his opinion, “a great cause.” Having graduated from Deering High School in 1985, Marley said, “Come on, we never had Project Graduation.”
“I just remember, honestly, the kind of shameful fashion in which we behaved in high school, and it’s remarkable we’re still alive,” Marley said.
He recalled, as many of us can, students who were involved in horrible accidents that could be attributed to drug or alcohol abuse in the name of celebrating graduation.
“The day you graduate, (there is) an absolute different feeling than any other day, so people tend to get really ramped up and excited, and they let those inhibitions down a little bit — those walls down a little bit — and act a little crazier than they normally would,” he said.
Statistics prove that Project Graduation is effective, Marley said, adding that as far as all the benefits he is asked to help with, “ I like ( Project Graduation) because it’s tangible.”
The show is rated PG- 13, Marley said, explaining that his subject matter won’t be squeaky clean, but by no means will it be filthy.
“We skirt the line. If you’re a 15-year-old kid, you won’t go and think it’s cheesy. And we’ve been careful about keeping it PG-13,” he said.
Marley said he loves doing his annual Project Graduation shows “because it’s such a different audience,” which can range in age from 10 to 80 and the interaction with the crowd will differ from night to night. He recalls a show he did recently at which he asked how many students are graduating this year, and a boy stood up and answered, “All of them.”
“The kids are great,” Marley said. “I like to invite the kids graduating during the show — ask them what they’re doing for Project Graduation, that’s a big part of the show. So I get them involved, and drag the school’s mascot into it. … I try to do a lot with the kids. And I’ll do a good amount of stuff about being married, and there’s something for everyone in the show.”
Marley recognizes it can be difficult for students to reach their fundraising goal through bake sales and bottle drives, and the comedy shows can help make a big dent.
“A lot of people realize we’re doing a good thing, we’re making money … and it’s always a blast,” he said.
A comedian known as Krazy Jake will open for Marley, who said, “He’s a hoot. He gets people going. And I tell people all the time who open for me, ‘Two people or 2,000, have fun, do your best, you know? It’s a comedy show.’”
Wherever he goes, “I have fun no matter what,” Marley said. On the evenings of April 25 and April 26, “We’ll be out there hammering. The kids are hilarious too.”
Marley will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at the Orion Performing Arts Center next to Mt. Ararat Middle School (50 Republic Ave., Topsham) to benefit the Mt. Ararat High School class of 2012’s Project Graduation fund. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at Topsham Hannaford service counter, at Michaud’s Market in Topsham, from class of 2012 members and their families, or by contacting Kim Totten at 666-5542 or tottenkb@comcast.net.
Marley will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26, in the gymnasium of Lisbon High School (2 Sugg Drive) to benefit that school’s class of 2012 Project Graduation. The event is sponsored by the LHS Athletic Boosters. Tickets cost $15 each and can be purchased in the Lisbon High School guidance office, at Tangles, Hairs Too You, Drapeau’s, Maine Vintage and Consignment, Good Time Lanes, or from any booster member.
For more information about Marley, visit his website at www.bmarley.com.
Project Grad Fundrasiers
Mt. Ararat High School
April 25, 7 p.m. at Orion Performing Arts Center, next to Mt. Ararat M.S.; costs $15; information at 666-5542 or tottenkb@comcast.net.
Lisbon High School
April 26, 7 p.m., at Lisbon High School gym; costs $15.
www.bmarley.com
ticket@timesrecord.com
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