subject: Laughter Heals In Tucson [print this page] They say laughter is the best medicine and according to the record number of attendance at Don Barnhart's Comedy Show at Laff's Comedy Club in Tucson, it must be true.
The club which is normally pretty busy after the holidays was turning people away last night and is expected to do the same and has added a special Sunday show to help lighten the emotional load Tucson is going through.
"People kept coming up to me and hugging me after the show telling me how much they really needed a laugh", said Barnhart who has been a regular favorite at the club since it opened 22 years ago. Barnhart added, "Laughter has always been a pressure release during tough times. We've seen increased business at comedy clubs due to the economy and now with the tragedy here in Tucson, people are lining up to relieve the tension".
The US Military has been booking comedy shows in Afghanistan and Iraq since the war started and Barnhart just received the Bob Hope Award for his continued service providing comedy shows for the troops. The statistics show that comedy shows help to reduce stress and lower the suicide rate in our active military.
"At first, I really didnt understand the direct and positive impact doing shows for the troops had on their morale. Its the greatest feeling after a show when everyone is coming up to thank us for entertaining them. So often, I meet a soldier who has been serving so long that he missed the birth of his child and only knows them through pictures. Thats not easy so making him laugh can help", added Barnhart. "It's truly an honor to be the comic working here in Tucson. You can see the pain in the audience's eyes and to be able to make them laugh really is a blessing".
During the depression, comedy movies were a huge hit and in the 80's comedy clubs were packed as the economy took a nosedive. Comedy does heal.
Don is adding a comedy hypnosis show on Sunday and is expected to sell out.
