An Evening With Richard Lewis Entertains the Community

Jan. 18, 2006

Richard Lewis took the stage at the Southern Theatre tipping the microphone stand to push it across the stage saying, “I’m a Jew. I just feel the need to vacuum for a minute.”

Thus began a highly personalized performance of comedic rants for supporters of Wexner Heritage Village (WHV). WHV, in association with CAPA, hosted An Evening With Richard Lewis on January 11 to raise funds for its system of senior services.

“This event was sensational and surpassed previous years in terms of the awareness and funds raised. The city was buzzing about it,” said Robin Stock, assistant vice president – organizational advancement for WHV.

Richard Lewis displayed his own brand of comedy that explores a warped world of relationships and self-examination. He shared his hilarious takes on typically untouchable topics such as the challenges of being a middle-aged newlywed and on fears of flying in today’s world. Continuing with the stream of consciousness regarding airplanes, he made fun of Columbus’ lack of distinctive architecture musing that Les Wexner should build something that a pilot could incoherently point out to passengers during the flight over the city.

Lewis took his personal style a step further by meeting with supporters and taking photographs during the “Sinfully Chocolate Reception” that followed the show. He took to opportunity to meet with several former college classmates from The Ohio State University Class of 1969. Donor-level tickets that included the reception were sold out. In total, nearly six hundred community members attended the performance.

The event netted over $75,000 for WHV to use in programs that touch over 1,000 lives every day.

Co-chairs for An Evening With Richard Lewis were Mark and Cindy Levy and Jim and Tracey Bowman. Corporate leading sponsorships were given by Limited Brands Foundation, Archer-Meek-Weiler, M/I Homes Foundation, Schottenstein Stores, Porter Wright Morris and Arthur, HeartCare, Inc., Huntington Bank, JMM Architects, National City Bank, OmniCare Pharmacy, Plante & Moran, Retirement & Benefits Group, and Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, LLP.

For photographs, please see the links on the main News page.