The once modest, yet ambitious, effort to support Globe Santa has grown into a fund-raising extravaganza that has raised close to $60,000 in the last two years alone.
“This has always been a grass-roots production, built in-house by people who donate their time and their talent,’’ said Stacey Princi, director of operations at the Improv Asylum and coproducer of No Rest for the Wicked Funny. “The event has really gathered its own momentum year after year.’’
Princi and coproducer Mike Anastasia launched the tradition in 2005 when Anastasia returned to the Hub after working at Chicago’s Second City.
The Chicago group put on a similar production to help needy families, and Anastasia was sure the idea would be a hit in Boston.
His intuition could not have been more on the money. In 2005, the inaugural “No Rest for the Wicked Funny’’ show raised $5,501.50 and every year since, the comedy fest has not only upped its fund-raising target; it has surpassed its goal.
Last year, the event generated $30,877.00, putting the six-year total at more than $90,000 to help children at Christmas.
This year’s 24-hour show will feature three live auctions, on Friday at 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., and on Saturday at 6 p.m., which are emceed by auctioneer Jim Wells.
Wells - like everyone involved with the production, from the organizers to the talent to the staff - volunteers his time to the cause.
The live auction items will include tickets to Patriots, Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox, and Boston College games; autographed sports memorabilia; theater tickets; ski passes; hotel and dinner packages; a New England history package that includes access to the John F. Kennedy library, Old North Church, Paul Revere house, and Museum of Science; and much more.
This year, the Improv has joined BiddingForGood.com to offer an online auction in which participants can vie for trips to Mexico, Montreal, Maine, and other destinations; scores of tickets to attractions and sporting events; spa packages; and other items.
Of course, the biggest draw at “No Rest for the Wicked Funny’’ is still the performers.
