7/22/04

Bill Cosby ~ Upbeat Humor That Appeals To Everyone

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI - Bill Cosby, one of the most versatile entertainer of all times, will bring his humorous insights on life to The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Mainstage Friday, August 6, 6:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Cosby is an Emmy Award winning TV actor, movie star, animated TV show creator and producer, product spokesperson, best selling author, Grammy Award winning stand up comedian, Dr. of Education, and philanthropist. His transition from stand-up nightclub and TV comedian to actor profoundly influenced television unlike no other actor. Starting his acting career as secret agent in the lighthearted TV show, I Spy, he was the first African American to star in a prime-time television drama series. He won three Emmy Awards for his performances on I Spy. His business like approach to his acting contracts and ownership of the shows established Bill as a role model and as a major player in the industry.

"The Cosby Show," a family comedy featuring Cosby as Dr. Huxtable, was his greatest television success. The show was created and produced by Bill and aired from 1984 to 1992. He also hosted and provided some of the voices on the animated Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and The New Fat Albert Show. Both of these series, which he also created and produced, won several awards for their educational value.

Bill Cosby is also well known for his appearances as a spokesperson for numerous companies including Jell-O, Kodak, Del Monte, and Ford Motor Company making him one of the most recognizable people in America. Cosby's other accomplishments include being a best selling author. His first book Fatherhood (1986) was one of the fastest-selling hardcover books of all time, remaining for more than half of its fifty-four weeks on The New York Times Best Seller List as number one. He has had 21 albums on the national pop charts (three in the Top 10 and three more in the Top 20), which have earned him eight Gold Records and five Grammy Awards.

Cosby's down-to-earth humor touches every part of us no matter who we are - man or woman, family member, children, or parent. His ability to make us stop and laugh at simple every day life events and non-events is rewarding and influencing. His positive approach is the cornerstone of his appeal.

Tickets for Bill Cosby's performance at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Mainstage are available by calling (269) 927-1221. Students (kindergarten through college) and senior adults (60 and over) receive a 10 percent discount off single ticket prices. Special group rates are available to parties of 20 or more. These groups receive 15 percent savings on ticket prices. For further information about group rates and special arrangements, call the Group Coordinator at (269) 927-8109. Wolverine Mutual Insurance and Lake Michigan Mailers are sponsoring the Bill Cosby performances.

The 1,505-seat Mendel Center Mainstage Theater offers state-of-the-art acoustics and comfortable seating in elegant surroundings. Other amenities include free, lighted parking; handicap accessibility (inside and out); an array of special services; and friendly ushers and support personnel.

The Mendel Center is located within 30 minutes of Niles and 40 minutes from Kalamazoo or South Bend. Located on the Napier Avenue campus of Lake Michigan College, the Mendel Center is one mile east of I-94 on Napier Avenue (Exit 30) in Benton Township, Michigan.