Two Anson County natives are returning home to share a night of comedy July 16.

Chris Ledbetter, a Polkton native, is the producer of Comicville, which plans to bring a few laughs to Anson County.

“This is going to be an exciting night of music and laughter,” Ledbetter said. “This is the first time this town will ever experience anything like this.”

Sherard Ampston Hews Cohen, a Morven native, will host the event at the Ansonia Theatre next month. Cohen is a regular performer at the Comedy Zone locations in Greensboro and Charlotte and performs in clubs and colleges.

“He’s definitely making a name for himself in the urban and mainstream comedy scene,” Ledbetter said.

Four comedians are set perform, with Nick Lewis headlining the event.

“He’s a showstopper, a veteran,” Ledbetter said. “He’s a veteran in urban comedy.”

Brandy Inez, Cuzzin Clyde Austin and Corey “Mr. Petty” Jones will also perform.

Both Inez and Austin are “up-and-coming” comics, Ledbetter said. Inez is a regular at the Comedy Zone in Greensboro and Austin is a regular at the Charlotte Comedy Zone and, like Cohen, they also perform in other clubs and on college campuses.

Jones is a radio personality on Busta Brown’s show on 97.1 WQMG-FM in Greensboro.

“This kid is going to be a star,” Ledbetter said. “I’m glad I’ve got him right now.”

The show will include music by DJ Badala.

“Music is a very intricate part of a comedy show,” Ledbetter said.

He added the show will feature “some of the funniest up-and-coming comedians from across the country,” Ledbetter promised, saying he believes the humor is just what the audience will need after recent tragic events across the world.

“It’s comedy, laughing, it’s what the country needs right now with all the chaos this country is in,” he said. “With senseless murders, comedy is like a refuge. This is what heals people to try not to think about the bad stuff that’s going on in the country right now. That’s the main reason I feel about what’s going on in the world.”

The audience members aren’t the only ones who need the show opportunity, according to Ledbetter.

“The comedians deserve a show like this, deserve to be on the stage, deserve to be on the theater,” he said.

Ledbetter promised that the audience will be entertained.

“The show’s going to be electric,” he said. “People are going to be talking about this, want to know when the next one is coming.”

Ledbetter said the show will be “uncensored” and is designed for audiences 21 and over.

“For $20, I think this is an event the whole county wouldn’t want to miss,” Ledbetter said. “What’s better than laughter? What’s better than a night of comedy?”

The producer warned that tickets are selling out fast, with nearly 100 sold by Monday afternoon.

“These comics have very huge followings, so people are coming to see them,” Ledbetter said. “It’ll be a great, great night and a great event.”

Ledbetter started Comicville four years ago with business partner Abeda Lewis.

The show will be held July 16 at the Ansonia Theatre. The doors will open at 7 p.m. and the two-hour show will begin at 8 p.m.

All regular seats are $20, and VIP seats are $40. VIP tickets grant the holder a seat in the first three rows of the theater and entrance to a backstage meet-and-greet and cocktail reception with the performers.

Tickets can be purchased at Awesome Touch Hair Salon, located at 121 North Rutherford Street, Wadesboro, or by calling the salon at 704-695-1808, or by calling Angeline Gainey at 704-690-4422. They can also be purchased online at eventbrite.com/e/comicville-live-wadesboro-tickets-26070393248.

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.

Contributed photo Sherard Ampston Hews Cohen, a Morven native, will return to Anson County on July 16 for a night of comedy.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Ampston-Hews-fz.jpgContributed photo Sherard Ampston Hews Cohen, a Morven native, will return to Anson County on July 16 for a night of comedy.

Contributed photo Brandy Inez regularly performs at the Greensboro Comedy Zone, among other venues.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Brandy-Inez-fz.jpgContributed photo Brandy Inez regularly performs at the Greensboro Comedy Zone, among other venues.

Contributed photo Cuzzin Clyde Austin is regular performer at the Charlotte Comedy Zone.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Cuzzin-Clyde-Austin-fz.jpgContributed photo Cuzzin Clyde Austin is regular performer at the Charlotte Comedy Zone.

Contributed photo Comedian Nick Lewis will headline Comicville at the Ansonia Theatre on July 16.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Nick-Lewis-fz.jpgContributed photo Comedian Nick Lewis will headline Comicville at the Ansonia Theatre on July 16.

Contributed photo Corey “Mr. Petty” Jones, a radio personality on Busta Brown’s show on 97.1 in Greensboro, will be one of the performers July 16.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Corey-Jones-Mr.-Petty-fz.jpgContributed photo Corey “Mr. Petty” Jones, a radio personality on Busta Brown’s show on 97.1 in Greensboro, will be one of the performers July 16.
Comicville coming to Ansonia Theatre

By Imari Scarbrough

iscarbrough@civitasmedia.com