In an effort to keep alive the memory of his late girlfriend, comedian Anita Wise, Bristol’s Gary Bodner is organizing a standup comedy show slated for Aug. 1.
“She was one of the kindest people,” Bodner said of his “sweet Anita,” who died in January 2025. “All she did was spread love and happiness. This is honoring her. She’s the sweetest, most kind person who would do anything for anybody.”
Wise, of Pennington, N.J., had a following in New Hope from her comedy stints, as well as the live performances of her late husband, guitarist T.J. Tindall, a regular performer at John and Peter’s. She made a name for herself in the comedy world in the mid-1980s in New York City and later Los Angeles, appearing on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” a Bob Hope TV special, as well as two episodes of “Seinfeld.”
The “Comedy for a Cause” event in honor of Wise showcases the talents of:
Julia Scotti, who gained national attention in 2016 as a contestant on “America’s Got Talent.”
- Paul Lyons, a standup comedian, writer, and inspirational speaker.
- Vince Valentine, a Philadelphia native who has been performing and touring nationally in the one-man Broadway hit, “Defending the Caveman” since 2003.
A few years after Tindall’s 2016 death Wise performed alongside Scotti in the “Women of a Certain Age” comedy lineup, as well as in the nationally known Dry Bar comedy show. Scotti recalled working with Wise in the mid-80s in Philadelphia.
“Even back then she was beloved by everybody,” Scotti said. “She was a magical person.”
The two lost touch when Wise relocated to L.A. When Wise returned, Scotti, who had transitioned from a man to woman 20 years ago, reconnected with her comedy friend.
“I hadn’t seen her in years and years and years and then all of a sudden it was like old times,” Scotti recalled. “We kind of feel like outcasts in the world but amongst our peers it’s like family.”
Scotti began participating in regular writing sessions along with Lyons and other comedians at Wise’s home.
“The comic gets a word and for three minutes he or she has to rip on that. We each took our turn,” Scotti said of the gatherings. “If we had new material the comic would introduce the material, we’d all work to improve it. It was a very cooperative collaboration among some really good friends.”
Scotti, 74, made the TV news on her 62nd birthday, when she was driven through New Hope in a one-car parade blaring John Philip Sousa and waving and beeping at people as she passed by.
While she acknowledges that Wise’s death “left a whole in my heart,” the Aug. 1 benefit will not be a sad occasion.
“I’m going to have a lot of fun,” Scotti said.
If you go
The “Comedy for a Cause” event in memory of Anita Wise will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 7-9 p.m. at the Cary’s Music Room in the New Hope Inn & Suites, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope. A portion of event proceeds will benefit Southern Comfort Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization that rehomed Wise’s cat following her death. Limited tickets are available here: https://tinyurl.com/mvhw8vy5.
