Update April 12, 2014: With engaging style and a great sense of where he was in Naperville, Illinois, comedian Tom Dreesen kept the audience laughing from the moment he walked on stage at Wentz Concert Hall Friday evening.
Born in 1942, the Harvey, Illinois, native took the crowd down Memory Lane beginning in 1969 with highlights of his early career in comedy and his later life as a stand-up comedian making guest shots on Johnny Carson and David Letterman.
Dreesen captured the appreciation of the audience with fun-loving shout outs to local mayors sitting in the first few rows and when he mentioned his membership in the Jaycees back in the late 1960s. In the Jaycees, Dreesen said he’d met Tim Reid, the young man who became his sidekick in the comedy team “Tim and Tom,” the first biracial comedy duo in the U.S.
Mostly, however, through the ups and downs of a show business career, Dreesen’s humorous insights and touching tales of touring with Frank Sinatra for 13 years during the 1980s and 1990s left the audience mindful of how far he had come.
“All of my dreams have come true,” said Dreesen. “And as the song goes, ‘The Best Is Yet to Come.'”
Dreesen’s generosity and giving spirit are reflected in these back-to-back performances at The Wentz that will benefit the Hundred Club of DuPage County.
Dreesen again takes the stage at 8PM, April 12
The Hundred Club of DuPage County will host a special charity event beginning at 8PM on both Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12. The benefit will feature Frank Sinatra’s opening act for 14 years, renowned comedian Tom Dreesen. “An Evening of Laughter and Memories of Sinatra” will be held at Wentz Concert Hall, located on the campus of North Central College, just steps from downtown Naperville.
Dreesen who boasts over 500 appearances on national television from Johnny Carson and Jay Leno to David Letterman, will be doing his stand-up comedy and telling real-life stories from one of the few people left in America that was there with Frank Sinatra. The show includes hilarious stand-up comedy and both funny and poignant stories of his 14 years with the Chairman of the Board. The show sells out nationwide and has received acclaimed reviews by theater critics around the country.
The Hundred Club of DuPage County
Nearly 45 percent of ticket proceeds will benefit the Hundred Club of DuPage County, a nonprofit group that assists families of fallen police and firefighters in DuPage County.
Hundred Club President Lisa Savegnago anticipates that this event will be the largest fundraiser in the club’s 30-year history of helping families.
“We are dedicated to helping families of police officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line for us every day doing a dangerous job we cannot do ourselves. This extraordinary event will provide our club an opportunity to team up with a national celebrity to raise awareness and financial resources to continue the work we do for first responders in DuPage County.”
The club is offering a one-time offer to become a member of the club and be listed as an event sponsor. Corporate sponsorship levels range from $1000, $2500 to $5000 and include free tickets to the event depending on which level of sponsorship is chosen. Individual membership is $200 annually.
Tickets!
Tickets are on sale now at the North Central College box office for $50, $75, and $100 each. The $100 tickets include premium seating and VIP access to a special “Sinatra After Party” including a meet and greet with Dreesen.
Tickets also are available by phone 630-637-SHOW (7469), in person at the box office or online at northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. For more information on tickets or event sponsorship, visit www.hundredclubofdupage.org.
Savegnago suggests purchasing tickets for family and friends who will remember Dreesen from his earlier days.
“If you had parents or grandparents who were fans of either Tom Dreesen or Frank Sinatra,” said Savegnago, “this would be a wonderful gift to let them relive those fond memories. It’s all for a worthy cause.”
In this unforgettable performance, Dreesen will take you from hearing Sinatra on the jukebox to one day touring the nation as his opening act. Dreesen’s stand-up comedy is hilarious and his keen insight and superb storytelling bring the greatest career show business has ever known to life.
