Local Comics to Perform at Irvine Services Benefit

Three comedians, including local-boys-made-good Jerry Miner and Chris Verwiel, perform tonight at 8 at UC Irvine’s Bren Events Center in a benefit for the Irvine-based Community Service Programs.

Tom McGillen, an Improvisation favorite, headlines the event, which is to raise money for programs targeting child abuse, drug abuse, homeless youths and victims of crime.

Once a doorman at the Laff Stop in Newport Beach, Miner now headlines comedy clubs nationwide and took first place at a recent comedy contest at the Irvine Improv. His observational material focuses on everyday experience, like the predatory instincts aroused when a group of friends confronts the last piece of pizza.

Miner, thinking out loud: “Joe’s already fat. Why’s he looking at it?”

Verwiel, a former Fullerton resident, also tours nationally. McGillen boasts extensive television credits.

Community Services Programs is a nonprofit agency serving Orange County. Among other things, it provides shelter for troubled and runaway youth; assistance to victims and witnesses of crime; professional child abuse intervention, and cross-cultural education for Vietnamese families.

Tickets to tonight’s show are $15 and can be purchased at the door. Information: (714) 250-0488.