Robert Baxt ( Master of Ceremonies )
Robert can best be characterized by the description: “If all the world’s a stage, he wants better lighting!” Robert worked his way through school performing at children’s birthday parties, comedy clubs, and corporate events. Upon graduating with a B.A. in Film and Theater, he was presented with the dual opportunities of being accepted to both Ringling Brothers Clown College and Law School. Without hesitation, our hero chose the one he felt would give him the better training for a life in comedy: Law School! Attaining his J.D. degree, Robert realized that no one ever applauded an attorney after a hard day of cheating people, so he turned to a full time career in show business.
This gifted actor found himself making television appearances around the world as well as numerous showcases on America’s Funniest People and That’s So Funny. He can be seen in the drama Even Money with Danny DeVito and Kim Bassinger; and in the French film Parti Avec Le Vent. Robert is also known for his writing, having made the finals of the Walt Disney Company Fellowship for New Writers, and for writing jokes for many famous celebrities and comedians.
Alan Bursky ( Master of Ceremonies )
Alan Bursky has a reputation as a comedian’s comedian and a legend among his peers. His career dates back to the Seventies, when he made his national television debut on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson at the age of eighteen — making history as the youngest comedian to appear on Tonight — a record he holds to this day! The appearance led to a guest-starring role on The Partridge Family and many other stand-up and guest appearances on Tonight and shows and specials hosted by Mike Douglas, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, Jim Nabors and Richard Pryor. He was also the opening act for many of the biggest stars in Las Vegas and on national concerts tours.
After finding himself etched in a dark part of comedy history with the tragic death of his best friend and roommate Freddie Prinze, Alan took a brief break from performing and began a new career as a talent agent, booking the likes of Steve Martin and Rodney Dangerfield. But the lure of the spotlight and microphone proved too powerful.
Still young, still vital, Alan returned to the comedy stage in a successful “second act,” working television shows, nightclubs and theaters with stars like Drew Carey, Jerry Seinfeld, and Chris Rock.
And the work has never stopped. Revered by his colleagues as a comedy historian as well as craftsman, he remains a top draw in comedy clubs, showrooms and on cable television— and most recently in demand on the growing cruise ship market that has taken his special act around the world.
And to think we almost missed out!
Alan’s original dream was to be a professional magician. He’s still got the chops, and as a member of the exclusive Magic Castle in Hollywood, he thinks of the magic dream that he once practiced and shared with his childhood pal David Kotkin — known today as David Copperfield.
Jeffrey Urband ( World Class Pianist / Entertainer )
Masters Degree in Piano Performance and have been a musical director, accompanist and vocal coach for the past 25 years. I have been an accompanist for John Raitt, Bonnie Raitt, Constance Towers, Joanna Gleason, and many other performers. Arrranges, orchestrate, transpose and play in all styles including opera, musical theater, rock, soul, jazz, gospel and improvisation. Excellent sight reader and own my own recording studio in North Hollywood, CA.