Holly Henson was known in Central Kentucky as the artistic director of the Pioneer Playhouse, but she was also an active and accomplished comedian.
Holly Henson.
The Playhouse will present a comedy benefit starring Jim Wiggins and Bob Batch in Henson’s honor at 8 p.m. May 11 at the theater’s indoor stage. Proceeds from the event will benefit Stand Up 2 Cancer.
Henson died May 27, 2012, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 51.
The show was organized by Henson’s husband, Tom Hansen, a comedy agent who met Henson when Wiggins advised him to go check out her show. Wiggins, who has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Last Comic Standing, is billed as “The Last Hippie in America” and presents a show called Silly Stuff and Sad Stories: Reflections of a ‘60’s Reject. He has also lived with cancer and often commiserated with Henson as they were undergoing treatment.
Batch is a Louisville-based comedian who has appeared on the Today show and Good Morning America.
In addition to the comedy, attendees will have a chance to bid on auction items including tickets to The Tonight Show and meeting Leno after the show, tickets to a taping of The Soup and meeting with host Joel McHale afterward, a tour of E! Studios, tickets to Chelsea Lately, The Fashion Police, and a chance to bid on a “swag bag” from the 2013 Oscars.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 the day of the show, and available from the Pioneer Playhouse box office or by calling 1-866-597-5297.
