Helping ‘a true gentleman’: Comics rally ‘round ailing Mike MacDonald June 1 at Johnny Eh’s

My Kawartha

Photo: Canadian comedy giant Mike MacDonald is ill and in desperate need of a new liver. On June 1 at Johnny Eh’s, several comics will perform in support of him as well as raise organ donation awareness.

(PETERBOROUGH) For those who believe that a first impression isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, Jon Bryan is here to tell you otherwise.

It was back in March 2010 that Bryan, the owner of Johnny Eh’s in downtown Peterborough, scored a coup when Canadian stand-up comedy star Mike MacDonald performed at the Water Street eatery.

As a member of Rotary, Bryan had met MacDonald earlier when he performed as part of a fundraiser for the service club; a “true gentleman” as he recalls his first impression of the comic.

“We stayed in touch after that,” recalls Bryan.

“Eventually, he had an opening in his schedule between shows west of Toronto and home in Ottawa and asked if he could play here. He asked what I could afford, I threw out a figure and he said OK.”
Now, with the Hepatitis C-stricken MacDonald ill, not able to work and in desperate need of a liver donation, Bryan is reminded of the man who entertained patrons that March night.

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