Dallas comic Peter Barrera to help Improv toy drive

by Marisa Treviño of Latina Lista

The British Medical Journal recently released a study that says “people’s happiness depends on the happiness of others with whom they are connected.”

There’s no truer time when that statement can be applied than at Christmas. It’s this time of the year when everyone is asked to dig a little deeper into their pockets and put a smile on someone else’s face.

Yet, a unique event at the Addison Improv next week aims to put a happy twist on Christmas-giving this year.

Next Tuesday, local comic Peter Barrera will hold a toy drive at the Addison Improv. In return to bringing an unused, unwrapped toy, people will be feted to a comedy show with a line-up that is bound to put a smile, and illicit a few belly laughs, from everyone who goes.

The comedy line-up features: Barrera, Josh Barrera (a semi-finalist in NBC Stand-up for Diversity Tour), Mark Agee (Last Comic Standing), and the headliner for the evening, Paul Varghese (Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing).

In an e-mail to Latina Lista, Barrera writes, “These toys are going to the Santa’s Helpers’ organization which provides toys for kids who would otherwise have a dismal Christmas.”

In these tight economic times, what better bargain is there than to be able to make a child’s Christmas brighter while also receiving the gift of laughter too.