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Riggle maintains clean comedy act

'The Nostalgia Show'

Featuring: Comedian
Randy Riggle

Presented by: Westmoreland Cultural Trust

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Tickets: $15 and $20

Where: Palace Theatre, Greensburg

Details: 724-836-8000

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By Candy Williams
Thursday, July 6, 2006

Randy Riggle is ready to graduate from college.

For the past 15 years, the comedian has been a regular on
the campus circuit, performing for students from Seton Hill
University and St. Vincent College to the Universities of
California and Hawaii.

His reputation as a "clean" performer -- purposely leaving
four-letter words and off-color humor out of his act in the
interest of good taste -- made him a popular booking for
student activities planners and collegiate administrators.

With almost 250 colleges and universities among his list of
venues played, Riggle, of Lone Pine, Washington County,
is about to focus his comedy career on another generation of
audiences -- baby boomers and beyond.

His "Nostalgia Show," which he brings Wednesday to the
Palace Theatre, Greensburg, captures funny stories and warm
memories of three decades -- the '40s, '50s and '60s -- that
are close to his heart.

"Each one of the three decades had a war -- World War II,
Korea and Vietnam -- and they all involve someone special to
me," he says. His tribute to veterans is an important part of
his show that includes a moving, multimedia slide segment.

In his routine, he also helps his audiences recall
performers from past generations by revisiting classic comedy
routines such as Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" drill
and Jerry Lewis' slapstick performance from his 1963 movie,
"Who's Minding the Store?"

Riggle also offers a range of impersonations in his act,
from Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne and Bing Crosby to Beaver
Cleaver, Marvin the Martian and Kermit the Frog.

Riggle's fascination for comedians from generations past
sometimes makes him think he was meant to live in those times.

"I always felt I was born in the wrong time," he says. "All
the people I emulate are from that era."

His comedy heroes include Red Skelton, whom he calls "my
inspiration and the reason I'm in this business." He says he
met Skelton twice, once backstage at the former Stanley
Theater in Pittsburgh. "He spent 10 minutes with me and really
encouraged me," Riggle says.

His other favorite entertainers include Johnny Carson, Bob
Hope, Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys.

He has sharpened his stand-up skills by performing opening
monologues or performing with the likes of Ellen DeGeneres,
Louie Anderson, Dennis Miller, Jerry Seinfeld, Carrot Top,
Weird Al Yankovic and Gallagher. He also has written material
for comedians including Jay Leno and Joan Rivers.

He says he has patterned his G-rated comedy image after
Skelton and Milton Berle, who "worked clean. They didn't have
a choice. It was a way of life back then."

He says the way he performs also reflects the way he
chooses to live his life.

"It's not only an act, but a lifestyle," says Riggle, whose
career has allowed him to take care of his parents and
grandparents. His Web site -- www.standupcomedian.com --
includes a tribute to his mother, Virginia C. Riggle, who died
on June 4.

Riggle hopes to venture out into more clubs and theaters
with his "Nostalgia Show," hoping that his comedy "trip down
memory lane" will be a popular destination for audiences of
his parents' and grandparents' generations.

"Randy's act features a clean, refreshing approach to humor
as he is a favorite in both Christian and secular markets,"
says Teresa Bachman, spokeswoman for the Palace Theatre.

"If I have a gimmick," Riggle says. "It's that I have a
clean show that everybody can go to."

'Summer in the City' Celebration

Randy Riggle's one-man "Nostalgia Show" at the Palace
Theatre kicks off a five-day celebration of "Summer in the
City" in Greensburg. Sponsored by the Greensburg Business
Assoication, the event includes special activities each day.
Highlights include:

Wednesday: "Nostalgia Show" with Randy Riggle,
Palace Theatre, 7 p.m.

July 13 : "Thank Goodness It's Summer," with music
by Common Bond and Megan Intermission Suite, Palace Theatre,
6-9:30 p.m.

July 14: Concerts in the Park, featuring Luce, St.
Clair Park, 7-9:30 p.m.

July 15: Activities include free horse-and-buggy
rides in downtown Greensburg; storytime, crafts and puppet
show from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Greensburg-Hempfield Library; live
entertainment from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the parklet on
Pennsylvania Avenue; martial-arts demonstrations and medieval
activities sponsored by Society of Creative Anachronism at DV8
Espresso Bar & Gallery. A self-guided garden tour of
Academy Hill Historic District from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. is $10. For
reservations, call 724-836-0906.

July 16: BBQ Brunch, noon-2:30 p.m. at Greensburg
Garden & Civic Center. $15. For reservations, call
724-836-3074 or 724-836-1123. Activities at St. Clair Park
include Sadecky's Puppets at 5:30 p.m., car cruise show at 6
p.m., music by Johnny Angel & the Halos at 7 p.m., food
booths and prize auctions.

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