THANK YOU!!!
With your help, Banned in Boston raised over $575,000 for Urban Improv!
We’re enormously grateful for the 700 of you who attended our event on April 1, for the small but mighty team that put this world-premiere “Zoom musical” together, and for those of you who have made this zany community event possible for 25 years!
We couldn’t have done it without you — THANK YOU!
Banned in Boston In the News
Jewish Journal: “‘Banned in Boston’ returns online April 1, with ‘Oy, vey’ moments” by Charles Munitz, March 30, 2021.
The Boston Globe: “With Banned in Boston, Urban Improv keeps the Faith,” by Chris Wallenberg, March 25, 2021.
WCVB.com: “Shayna Seymour Joins Star Studded Cast of this year’s Banned in Boston April Fools’ Edition,” March 22, 2021.
On Mic with Jordan Rich Podcast, March 22, 2021.
GBH Greater Boston with Jim Braude: “Banned in Boston” Celebrates 25 Years Of Laughs For A Cause, March 22, 2021.
Broadway World: “Faith Soloway and Stephen Colbert to Headline All-New Online Show To Benefit Urban Improv,” February 25, 2021.
What happens when you put a bunch of local luminaries, bigwig politicos, hotshot hams, drama queens, drama kings and drama assorted-other-royalty all in the same Zoom room together?
BANNED IN BOSTON
Showcasing familiar faces & new songs & scenes!
written & scored by Transparent‘s
FAITH SOLOWAY
& featuring special guest star
STEPHEN COLBERT
All proceeds benefit Rehearsal for Life’s flagship program, Urban Improv, serving 1,100+ Boston Public School students grades 4-12 every year — and that’s no joke!
This time around, we honor Kippy Dewey and Narcissa Campion, passing the baton in July 2021 after keeping the Banned spirit alive for 25 YEARS!
Cocktail attire (and cocktail in hand) is advised! We are very fancy people.
Plus, blast to the past with Virtually Banned in Boston (2020) & our Banned in Boston archives!
Full Banned in Boston 2021 credits here.



#BannedInBoston
#RehearsalForLife
2021 EVENT CHAIRS
CO-CHAIRS
Fiona & James Benenson
Lena & Brent Berc
Lisa Pierpont & Brant Binder
Robin & Ted Clark
Sandra & Paul Edgerley
Francie & Jon Karlen
Kristina & Patrick Lyons
HOST COMMITTEE
Christina & David Lavallee
Yujing Li
Farrell & Tom O’Rourke
Ellen & Adam Rizika
Julie & Jeff Stuecken
Lisa & Patrick Taffe
Madelyn & Jon Terbell
Faith Soloway
Head Writer, Transparent
Stephen Colbert
Host, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Mohamad Ali
CEO, International Data Group
The Honorable Charlie M. Baker
Governor of Commonwealth of MA
Michael Bobbitt
Executive Director, Massachusetts Cultural Council
Jared Bowen
Arts Editor & Host, WGBH’s Open Studio
Jim Braude
Co-Host, WGBH’s Boston Public Radio
Brad Brown
Owner, Blue Frog Bakery
Mary Callanan
Actor, Singer, & Cabaret Performer
Andrea Campbell
Boston City Council
Sonia Chang-Díaz
MA State Senator
Steve Conine
Co-Chairman, Wayfair
James DiSabatino
Owner/Founder, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese
Annissa Essaibi George
City Councilor At Large
Marlo Fogelman
CEO & Founder, marlo marketing
Maura Healey
Massachusetts Attorney General
Diane Hessan
CEO, Salient Ventures
David Howse
Vice President, Emerson College Office of the Arts
Rosabeth Kanter
Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
Sam Kennedy
President, Boston Red Sox
Shirley Leung
Columnist & Associate Editor, The Boston Globe
Ray Magliozzi
Host, NPR’s Car Talk
Harry McEnerny
Actor
Jim McGovern
US Congressman
Amina Michel-Lord
Educator, 3rd & 4th Grade Team, Mission Hill School
Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA
President & CEO, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
JC Monahan
News Anchor, NBC Boston
Steve Peljovich
Owner, Michael’s Deli
Robert Rivers
Chairman & CEO, Eastern Bank
Valerie R. Roberson, PhD
President, Roxbury Community College
Emily Rooney
Host, WGBH’s Beat the Press
Jon Santiago
MA Representative
Kathy St. George
Actress
Shayna Seymour
Co-Host, WCVB-TV’s Chronicle
Stephen Sherman
Executive Chef, Scarlet Oak Tavern
Kevin Tabb, MD
President & CEO, Beth Israel Lahey Health
Sally Taylor
Musician & Artist
Matthew Teitelbaum
Ann and Graham Gund Director, Museum of Fine Arts
Jimmy Tingle
Entertainer & Comedian
Corey Thomas
President & CEO, Rapid7
Dave Willis
Co-Founder, Bully Boy Distillery
Will Willis
Co-Founder, Bully Boy Distillery
Michelle Wu
City Councilor-At-Large
Jen Ziskin
Co-Owner, La Morra/Heritage of Sherborn
Josh Ziskin
Co-Owner/Executive Chef, La Morra/Heritage of Sherborn
Urban Improv Ensemble
& RFL’S Board of Directors






