Veteran downtown performer, writer, and stage director Tom X. Chao will host a line-up of downtown all-stars in Strain Relief: A Benefit Comedy/Variety Show.
Tom has hand-picked a line-up of top performers from the downtown alternative comedy and performance scene. The show will be co-produced by The Horse Trade Theater Group.

Attendees are invited to stay for an after-party in the theater which will include two live DJ's. DJ Nat (from Belgium) and her mystery partner will spin. In addition, all attendees will be entered in a drawing for prizes including artworks, theater tickets, toys, & more.

All proceeds will go towards producing future TXC shows, including Tom's Cats Can See The Devil in this year's New York International Fringe Festival.

Scheduled to appear

Victor Verhaeghe (ESPN's "Shelfball" commercials)
Jeff Ward (SNL Weekend Update writer, Modern Humorist, Euphobia)
Richard Harrington (Harrington & Kauffman, Nharcolepsy)
Becky Poole & Noelle Romano (Becky of Meat comedy group)
Christine Suarez (Suarez Dance Theater)
Michael Schwartz (In The Shadow of the Third Rail)
The hosts of the Shark Show
and other guests to be announced

Ticket includes after-party, raffle drawing, and complimentary beverages. For reservations, e-mail tomxchao@hotmail.com.