Comedienne Lily Tomlin To Headline Barter Theatre Fundraising Event

Lily Tomlin, the comedienne and actress who brought to life such characters as the snorting telephone operator know as Ernestine on Laugh-In and the feisty executive secretary named Violet Newstead in Nine To Five will lend her talents to a fundraising performance in the fall to benefit Barter Theatre’s Annual Fund For Artistic Excellence.

The special one-night only engagement with Tomlin, known for her extraordinary sketch comedy, movie character and special guest roles in the entertainment industry will take place at Historic Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, November 8, 2008 at 8 p.m. 

During her career, Tomlin has received numerous awards including six Emmy’s and two Tony’s.  She’s perhaps best known for her roles as telephone operator Ernestine and the devilish Edith Ann on Laugh-In, her play The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, 9-5 with Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, The Beverly Hillbillies 1993 movie, and more recently, I Heart Huckabee’s and The West Wing.  Her show in November will feature Tomlin in some of her most famous roles.

Barter Theatre representatives say “An Evening with Lily Tomlin” is a fundraising event to benefit Barter Theatre’s Annual Fund for Artistic Excellence, noting that each year, generous contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals provide vital support to Barter’s educational and artistic programs as well as supporting the historic non-profit theatre’s general operations. 

Tickets for the 75th Anniversary event are limited and are now on sale, with three ticket level options available. 

Diamond-level tickets to the performance are $600 and include a pre-show dinner with live music on Stonewall Square, a post-show reception and a silent auction. 

Gold-level tickets are $300 and include the performance and a post-show reception.

Tickets to the performance only are $125 each.

To purchase tickets, call Barter’s Department of Development at (276) 619-3303.