Comedy and magic are headlining at Catch a Rising Star from Friday to Sunday, September 23 to 25. Harry Maurer will entertain adults on Friday and Saturday nights and families on Sunday afternoon.
“People have been asking for a family show for years,” says Craig Neier, manager of Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club. “Some will even sign releases for their older teenagers to attend an evening show.”
Although the usual two-item minimum is not required during the family show, there will be popcorn and soda available. Ticket holders may also take advantage of the Hyatt’s Crystal Garden Sunday brunch for $15.95 (usually $39.95).
Maurer, a “Navy brat,” was born in Mount Holly and moved around a lot in his young years. His grandfather introduced him to magic at the age of five by producing coins out of his ears — and then showing him how to do it. By high school he was performing at the Jersey shore and often left school in the middle of the day to perform matinee shows at the Thunderbird Hotel.
“Through the art of table magic at restaurants I learned to add comedy and see what people liked,” says Maurer. When he applied to Mason Gross School of the Arts as a theater major, he was already working night clubs. “I wanted to learn theater principles, stage management, and set design.”
A daytime student, he performed two to three shows a night at the Playboy Club in New York City. He was often offered jobs that he declined due to school but after two years he met with the dean. “He told me that I would not learn any more in the next two years and advised me to apply for a leave of absence,” says Maurer. “The next day a call came in for a job on a cruise ship leaving the next day.” He accepted the position and his mother took care of the paperwork at Rutgers. “I never looked back and the jobs always snowballed,” he says.
In 1982 he was selected to tour for nine months with Joey Bishop and Jackie Vernon in “Tribute to Vaudeville.” When the show opened in Atlantic City it sold out close to 2,000 seats a day for four months. Maurer was brought to the attention of Atlantic City and Las Vegas producers and he continues to work in casinos for four months a year.
His family-friendly show features magic and situational comedy. “I bring enough mystery to keep everyone intrigued,” says Maurer. “It is a mini production with musical background and never abusive. Audience participation usually has someone holding something and watching the magic happen in their own hands.”
Harry Maurer, Catch a Rising Star, Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center, West Windsor. Friday, September 23, 8 p.m.; Saturday, September 24, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, September 25, 2:30 p.m. Register. 609-987-8018. www.catcharisingstar.com.
Adult shows are Friday, September 23, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, September 24, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.; and the family show for kids of all ages on Sunday, September 25, at 2:30 p.m. To take advantage of the brunch register with Crystal Garden restaurant at 609-734-4200 and pick up your comedy club ticket from the box office early.
