Funk brings funny to Reamstown

In his online biography, comedian Zach Funk describes Ephrata as “the kind of place where biology and debate class is the same thing (and) you can get into arguments about the minutia of manure.”

“Ephrata was a very nice place to grow up, but I’ve always been a big city person,” said Funk from his new home in Pittsburgh. Four years into his comedic career, he will return to the area for a benefit comedy show at the Reamstown Fire Company April 30.

The Ephrata High School grad moved to Pittsburgh in 2003 to attend college. He started his collegiate career as a journalism major, but soon switched to English/creative writing, which helped him craft his material as a comedian. His comedic style is that of a storyteller.

“I don’t like, ‘hey, sandwiches are weird kind of jokes.’ If I can make semi-drunk adults laugh at a joke about philosophy in a bar at 12:30 in the morning it is always a nice feeling,” said Funk.

Comedy has been more than time on stage for Funk. He grew up listening to Steve Martin records and Weird Al Yankovic tracks. Through any tough times, he turned to comedy.

“I’d rather find the funny things about life,” said Funk.

Ever since he was young, Funk has used humor to persevere even the worst of things in life. His father died tragically in a car accident when he was 11 years old. He turned to comedy to cope.

“Comedy has gotten me through so many bad times,” said Funk.

That may be the connection Funk has for lending his art to charity endeavors. This is not the first time Funk has returned to the area for a fundraiser. In 2014, he joined forces with the DJD Fight On Foundation to help raise funds for families battling cancer. The foundation honors the memory of Derrick Dull, Funk’s classmate and friend who succumbed to Acute Mylogenous Leukemia at the age of 23 in 2008. The Fight On Foundation was created in 2009 and has raised over $270,000 for families battling cancer.

“Some people who were at the (DJD Fight On Foundation) show asked if I would set up a show for their Relay for Life team,” said Funk

Enter Teresa Frankford and the In Memory of Angels in Heaven Relay for Life team, which Funk’s performance in Reamstown will benefit. To date, the team has already raised more than $13,000 for the fight against cancer through a road rally in November, a craft show/soup and sub sale in December, a Dance Away Cancer event in February, a Fells Point, Maryland bus trip in March, and prize bingo in April.

Frankford and In Memory of Angels in Heaven team hope to raise over $3,500 with the Funk comedy show, which is their last event before the Norlanco Relay in June at Cocalico High School.

The five-person show will run approximately two hours with doors opening at 7 p.m. and will be hosted by Funk. He is bringing four other Pittsburgh comedians with him: Tim Ross, Molly Sharrow, Harry Gilliland, and Garrett Titlebaum.

“Everybody is different. Any time I book a show I try to align different styles and backgrounds to get a nice mix of performers, both for style and content,” said Funk.

The comedy show will also have a 50/50 raffle to help raise funds. Food and drinks— barbeque sandwiches, hotdogs, snacks, baked goods, soda and coffee — will be available for purchase. The event is 21 and over; beer will be served.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with show time at 8 p.m. at the Reamstown fire station, 12 W. Church St., Reamstown, Saturday, April 30. Tickets cost $15 and are limited to 200; tickets can be reserved by calling 468-4731.

Michael C. Upton is a freelance feature writer and regular contributor to the Record Express. He can be reached at somepromcu@gmail.com and facebook.com/SomebodiesProductions.