Hit Comedian and Filmmaker Returns to Husson University to Launch Gracie Theater’s 11th Season
Ray Harrington, a 2010 graduate of Husson University’s New England School of Communications (NESCom) and a Kittery, Maine native, returns to his alma mater on Saturday to kick off Husson’s comeback and the Gracie Theater’s 11th season . The season is sponsored, in part, by the Bangor Savings Bank.
“Having a very talented and talented graduate like Ray perform at Homecoming is an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” said Jeri Misler, General Artistic Director of the Gracie Theatre. “Husson is proud of Ray’s worldwide success and delighted to welcome him back!”
While a student at NESCom, Ray earned degrees in broadcasting and marketing communications. It was also at this time that he began his stand-up career.
“Some friends signed me up for an open mic night at the G. Peirce Webber Campus Center,” Harrington recalled. “During my last year at Husson, Bob Marley was playing at Gracie and he asked me to open for him. It was my first theater performance. I really feel like I’m going home to Husson with this performance.”
Harrington is an infectiously charming comedian who performs all over the world. It has been seen on Conan, Hulu, ABC, FOX, TBS and SBS Australia. Harrington has also been heard on nationally syndicated radio on Sirius XM. Additionally, he was named “Best Comedian” by the Providence Phoenix, was a finalist at the Boston Comedy Festival, and was invited to host the International Filmapalooza Awards in Hollywood.
Harrington is best known for presenting hilarious, irreverent material and his wonderful improvisational riffs that embrace the uncomfortable and the absurd. In addition to performing his live comedy, he has recorded several albums. His debut album, “The Worst Is Over”, from Stand Up! Records, debuted atop the comedy charts on Amazon and iTunes. His latest album, “Overwhelmed,” debuted at number 1 on Amazon and topped the Billboard Comedy Charts.
Harrington met his wife and colleague of Husson, Kaleena, when he was a student. Kaleena was resident director in one of the dorms as well as director of student activities at the time. “It’s beautiful AND scary when I think about how much I come from this campus,” Harrington recalled. “I really enjoyed so many of my classes and my teachers, but it was that other side that I didn’t expect. I left Husson and NESCom with an idea of what I wanted my life to be and of the person I wanted to spend it with. I feel so lucky and I hope that the other students I went to school with, the students who are currently on campus and future students will all have the opportunity to experience something similar.”
Fellow comedian Rafi Gonzalez will also star with Harrington. Gonzalez is a stand-up comedian from Puerto Rico known for his conversational style. Her material focuses on her experiences with American culture. After making headlines in major comedy clubs and garnering millions of views on social media, Gonzalez has developed a strong regional following in the New England area and along the East Coast. He was featured in a video produced by HBO MAX about the 2021 Ha Comedy Festival in San Antonio, Texas.
This PG-13 comedy event will take place at Husson University’s Gracie Theater at 1 College Circle in Bangor, Maine on Saturday, September 10, 2022. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this evening of comedy range from $22.50 to $30.00 and are available online at GracieTheatre.com or by calling the theater box office at 207-941-7888.
For customers who wish to create a custom multi-show package, The Gracie “You Pick 4” season tickets include premium seating for at least four shows of your choice at a special discounted price. Premium seats located in the orchestra section are available for a limited time. Customers can buy tickets for the “You Pick 4” plan until February 23.
Single tickets range from $20.00 to $47.50 depending on show and seat. Ticket prices vary by show. Purchasing multiple shows with the “You Pick 4” discount will reduce the overall cost by 20%.
The Gracie Theatre, a collaboration between artists, students and university members, is an intimate and inviting performing arts facility that offers hands-on experiential learning and technical support. to the Husson University community through a combination of diverse cultural programs and community engagement. . Learn more about the Gracie Theater and upcoming shows at GracieTheatre.com.
For more than 120 years, Husson University has demonstrated its adaptability and strength in delivering educational programs that prepare future leaders to meet the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to providing affordable classroom, online, and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has become a top value in higher education. Characteristics of a Husson education include advanced knowledge delivered through quality corporate educational programs; health and education; pharmacy studies; sciences and humanities; as well as communication. According to an analysis of tuition and fees by US News & World Report, Husson University is one of the most affordable private colleges in New England. For more information on educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.
