Paralyzed Comedian Jason Saenz Benefit Spans Two Coasts, Three Cities, Three Days and Forty Comedians: Here’s How You Can Help
In three cities, over forty comedians will put on simultaneous shows to raise money for the medical bills of beloved comedian, Jason Sáenz.
In December 2018, Jason Sáenz suffered a devastating life altering trauma. He was badly injured after falling through a skylight leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. He had just started a new full time job he was very excited about and then the accident occured one month before his health insurance would have kicked in.
After weeks in the ICU, undergoing several surgeries, he will be entering a rehabilitation center to improve his path to healing. Without insurance the medical costs are piling up.
Jason is very beloved within the comedy communities of New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington DC. With ties in three major comedy scenes it was only fitting that not just one benefit show take place, but THREE. A Go Fund me has already helped raise some significant cash but given the severity of Jason’s injuries, its just not enough. Yet.
Jason’s friends pointed out that this year we’ve lost so many comedians, and every time it happens, we all talk about how we wish we could have done something to help. Saenz is still here, and everyone is hoping to work together to help him get back on his feet. Join the community in celebrating Jason’s recovery and laughing at Jason’s funniest friends.
Rory Scovel has known Jason since the early days for both of them, in DC, “when we were just teeny tiny improv/standup babies, getting on stage and having no clue what we were doing.” Rory met him in an improv troupe called Season Six. “I remember always thinking that Jason was up to something because no one is actually this nice and thoughtful. Jason used to house sit in Northern Virginia at this crazy mansion house and a huge group of us would run around and play capture the flag late at night. We were adults. That’s Jason’s vibe. Forever a kid, making you feel young and vibrant with his insane support. It doesn’t take even a second to consider going above and beyond to help support him now. He truly is one of the great people that you hear stories about and try to emulate, even just a little bit.”
Saenz also met Aparna Nancherla back in those early D.C. improv days. She told us “he’s the greatest,” and that “he’s always been incredibly positive and upbeat every time I’ve seen him, and as a seriously socially anxious person, I can confirm he’s extremely easy to talk to, no matter the subject. We have also bonded over both being jaw surgery alumni.”
Some of you might not be familiar with Jason yet. He was was a New Face at Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and made his TV debut on AXS TV’s “Gotham Comedy Live”. His web series “Ya Killin’ Me!” was picked up by Comedy Central digital, and Jason has written for Comedy Central’s Night of Too Many Stars, MTV’s Ridiculousness as well as projects on Fox, MTV, MTV.com, IGN.com, Funny or Die, Above Average, Roof Top Comedy, Time Out New York, HuffPo, Jest.com and College Humor.
“We need him back at 100 percent because WE can’t do this without him,” comedian Lauren Adams told us. “Also this line up honestly should cost $100 so even if you don’t know Jason, you should probably come to this show.” Lineups for the three benefits will feature: Jeff Ross, Sasheer Zamata, Jermaine Fowler, The Lucas Brothers, Henry Zebrowski & Ben Kissel, Aparna Nancherla, Melissa Villasenor, Rory Scovel, Adam Conover, Chris Gethard (The Chris Gethard Show) AND SO MANY MORE!
There will be an Auction at all shows and online! So if you can’t make it you can still donate to win tickets to 4/13 SNL taping, tickets to see Impractical Jokers at The Honda Theater, tickets to the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Tickets to Late Night Seth Meyers, Samantha Bee and the Daily Show, plus tons of restaurant vouchers and more. Read the details on each show below.
Nick Turner has been a friend of Jason’s since they were 19, and told us what he loves so much about Saenz’s “weird career” and says he knows that Jason will keep being funny no matter what. “He’s always found a way to go over and around the normal order. From being the head comedy writer at a video game website to notoriety for posting signs IRL to the two of us making a Snapchat series while in our late 30’s. I can’t wait to see what’s next from Jason because he’s always found innovative ways to make it work, no matter the limitations. I’m trying to get him to start a podcast from his hospital bed so someone should throw some money at him for the rights to it. Honestly, he’s never been hotter than right now.”
LOS ANGELES SHOW DETAILS
April 1st – 8pm doors / 9pm show
$20 in advance / $25 at door
Ticket Link: SaenzbenefitLA.com
Regent Theater
448 S Main St Los Angeles, CA. 90013
(Main St Between 4th St & 5th St – Near The 7th St / Metro Center)
Sets by Jeff Ross, Jermaine Fowler, Adam Conover, Naomi Ekperigin, Rory Scovel, Sasheer Zamata, Matt McCarthy, Nick Turner, Adam Newman, Mara Herron, Amber Nelson, Nick Vatterott, Onassis Comedy, Brooke Van Poppelen, Grant Gordon, Eddie Della Siepe, with more to be announced. Hosted by Ed Larson, Henry Zebrowski, and Jackie Zebrowski of Murderfist!
NEW YORK CITY SHOW DETAILS
April 1st – 8pm doors / 9pm show
$20 at the door
Arlene’s Grocery
(95 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002)
Ticket Link: https://rebrand.ly/Saenzbenefit_NY
Sets by Aparna Nancherla, Chris Gethard, Ben Kissel, Melissa Villasenor, Jordan Temple, Ramy Youseff, Dan St Germain, Reformed Whores, Noah Gardenswartz, Alison Leiby, Holden McNeely, Sean Patton, Seth Herzog, Chelsea White, Julia Johns, Travis Irvine, Onassis Comedy, Rojo Perez, Selena Coppock, Doug Smith, and Robert Dean. Hosted by Anthony DeVito and Greg Stone
WASHINGTON DC SHOW DETAILS
April 3rd – 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Source Theater (14th and T)
$20 pre-show; $25 at the door
Ticket Link: https://rebrand.ly/Saenzbenefit_WDC
Performances by Brick Penguin (Sketch Comedy), iMusical (longform improvised musical comedy), Sean Murphy, Molly Murchie, Chris Ulrich, Mark Chalfant, Joe Randazzo, Ken Hays, Justus Hammond, Sean Ellis, Topher Bellavia, Catherine Deadman, Mike Bass, Daisy Rosario, Pete Bergen, and John F O’Donnell. Hosted by Pete Bergen & Mikael Johnson
For more information please contact Ed Larson at eddietunes@yahoo.com
