Acclaimed Axis of Evil comedy team at Fairfield University | Press Releases

The Axis of Evil Comedy team, who finished 2007 with a successful tour of the Middle East, will perform at Fairfield University on Thursday, Feb. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Barone Campus Center Oak Room. Admission is free.

Created by three of the top Middle Eastern/American comics in the world today - Ahmed Ahmed who is Egyptian-American, Aron Kader, a Palestinian-American, and Maz Jobrani, an Iranian-American - the group uses their humor to cut through stereotypes and show their audiences a side to Middle Eastern people that differs dramatically from the image so frequently portrayed in the media.

This event is sponsored by Fairfield University's Humanities Institute, Center for Faith and Public Life, Office of the Academic Vice President, Dean of the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, University College and the Departments of Politics, Religious Studies and Sociology & Anthropology. In addition, this event was made possible in part by funding from the Wabash Institute for Teaching and Learning. The purpose of the Wabash grant activities are to explore the difficult dialogue between Islam and Christianity.

Ethnic humor has a long history in the United States, but Aron Kader says being Middle Eastern is different. People too often think militants, terrorists, and suicide bombers. "You just say your are Palestinian and it's like you made a political statement."

The Axis of Evil troupe, featured in the December issue of Time magazine, has been compared to "The Blue Collar Tour," and "The Real Kings of Comedy" in that each group draws from their similar ethnic backgrounds. All three Axis of Evil comics were either born in the United States or grew up here. They honed their craft at Mitzi Shore's World Famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles where legends like Sam Kinison, David Letterman and Jim Carrey developed their talent.

Their group has performed throughout the United States, including New York to Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle, Tampa Bay and Phoenix. Their Middle East tour took them to Amman, Jordan, Cairo, Egypt, Dubai, and Beirut, Lebanon. The comedians have performed separately as well on shows such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Shield," and "Punk'd."

The Center for Faith and Public Life was established at Fairfield in response to the growing global awareness of the influence of religion on public affairs. Anchored in the rich traditions of Catholic social thought and Jesuit spirituality, the Center respects diversity while promoting the common good.

For more information, please call (203) 254-4000, ext. 3415.