American Arab, Iranian, Indian Comedians - Who Are Jewish, Muslim, Christian & Sikh - Will Perform in 'FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme,' a Multicultural Stand-Up Tour Coming to the Washington D.C. Area, Featuring AHMED AHMED

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Mar 29, 2011, 09:00 ET

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The dramatic changes in the Middle East region are leading to a new paradigm for understanding conflict and the pursuit of freedom by people, no matter what their religion or origin. Efforts to build bridges between communities are being propelled by social media, education and entertainment. Can comedy, traditionally viewed as "light" entertainment, be utilized as a tool for cultural diplomacy?

PlanetPix Media & Entertainment Group is raising the stakes again after a string of multicultural & multifaith comedy shows that launched in the Los Angeles area in December 2010. The group announced recently that 'FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme's "We Come in Peace" Tour' will arrive in the Washington D.C. area on Thursday, April 14th, 2011 (7:30 pm) at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse in Arlington, VA and Saturday, April 16th, 2011 (8 pm) at Ernst Cultural Theater at NVCC in Annandale, VA.

Diverse line-up includes world famous comedian AHMED AHMED ( Egyptian Muslim; 'Iron Man,' 'You Don't Mess With The Zohan,' 'Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show,' Tonight Show with Jay Leno, 'Axis of Evil' Comedy Tour, Comedy Central and Showtime), MATT KAZAM (Jewish-Iranian; NBC's 'Last Comic Standing'), MARIA SHEHATA (Egyptian Christian; Comedy Central, Showtime), OMAR REGAN (African American Muslim; Rush Hour 2), PAUL SINGH (Indian Sikh; Apollo Theater, Carolines, Gotham) and SAID DURRAH (Palestinian-Jordanian; 'Arabs Gone Wild'). Hosted by TEHRAN GHASRI (African-American Iranian; Laugh Factory).

'FUNATICAL' is a hip and hilarious comedy tour that breaks stereotypes and bridges gaps between people of diverse backgrounds. Comedians poke fun of culture, race, politics, religion and current events, which they lampoon with humor and satire. With increased Islamophobia in America and the current turmoil in the Middle East, 'FUNATICAL' promotes unity and understanding through laughter. The shows are produced by an interfaith team who uses comedy as an equalizer to counter prejudices in a humorous way.

Producers and performers of 'FUNATICAL' have also been invited to speak at panel discussions at The National Press Club on April 14th and Georgetown University on April 15th.

The shows will benefit the Nooristan Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that provides support for charitable and educational projects in Afghanistan.

PlanetPix Media & Entertainment Group is a multicultural media, communications and entertainment production company that promotes cultural understanding and unity.

Watch FUNATICAL video here

Watch FUNATICAL LA Premiere video here

More info: www.funaticalcomedy.com

SOURCE PlanetPix Media