Laughing for nonprofit

Lynn Epstein likes to laugh. And people like to laugh with her.

The local comedian divides her time between her career as a speech and language therapist (where she is “paid to play with kids”) and her comedy.

Epstein sees the latter as another form of therapy, and she aspires to take her audience on a journey away from their earthly cares “” far from their bank account, their to-do list or the upcoming PTA meeting.

“Let’s just laugh,” she said.

Her next therapeutic event, Lynn’s Big Night of Comedy, will be Saturday at the Women’s Club.

Epstein will be emceeing the show, which will feature Big Mike Mitchell of the Hollywood Improv and the Comedy Store; Wes Martens of the Baby Boomer Plus Standup Trio and Ice House; Perry Kurtz, a writer for the Tonight Show who has been seen on HBO and Comedy Central; singer/songwriter Vickie Hazlett, who has appeared with Epstein in her Art Walk Laguna Comedy Stops; television actor and USO comic Chris Freeman; and nationally touring comic Dean Evans from the Boston Comedy Festival.

“It’s a great lineup; there’s something for everybody,” Epstein said.

Epstein will also sell her new book, “Why Is It?! Life’s Little Mysteries: Why is it the one who snores falls asleep first?”

The book features a variety of “Why Is It?!” questions with Epstein’s own illustrations, like “why is it hair stylists think offering to cut your hair for free, after doing a bad job the first time, is a good idea?” and “why is it if you smoke, you get more work breaks? Can I take a break to watch them smoke?”

Epstein, a Florida native, has headlined in casinos and performed in the Boston Comedy Festival and in shows from New York City to San Francisco.

After beginning her speech pathology career following receipt of a master’s degree at 22, she was notified of a position in Santa Ana by a Laguna Beach-based recruiter who encouraged her to check out the area.

Epstein recalls calling the recruiter from a pay phone in front of the Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club to announce she would take the job.

She describes the area as “Florida with mountains and no humidity” “” also sans flying bugs.

Petite and quick-witted, Epstein got her start in comedy after taking classes about 10 years ago.

Her background in language helped in writing her material, and she had a reputation for her wit long before she began entering open-mic competitions.

She describes stand-up comedy as infectious, in particular when it’s live. “It’s better than cable,” she quipped.

She also hopes to write a book for parents on how to identify and use teachable moments with their speech-impaired children.

Epstein also has gotten into yoga, which she never expected given her traditional athletic background in tennis. Yoga training has afforded her greater flexibility and a sense of peace, she said. “It’s good to be calm. I’m trying to simplify.”

Epstein also produced shows in Long Beach and Redlands, but now is focusing on Orange County.

“When I see good talent, I try to import it to Laguna,” she said. “We have so many art niches here; I know people here appreciate the effort.”

She formerly had her comedy shows at the Laguna Beach Brewing Co., but is now appearing at the Women’s Club.

She is currently seeking a venue for a new monthly show.

Her first show at the Women’s Club was to raise money for landslide victims, but she also hopes to make ends meet with her productions.

“I feel like a nonprofit organization, which is OK, but I don’t want to be a minus-profit organization,” Epstein said. “Obviously, it’s not for the money.”

WHAT: Lynn’s Big Night of Comedy

WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Laguna Beach Women’s Club, 286 St. Anns Drive

COST: $20 cash at the door; admission includes one drink

INFORMATION: www.lynnepstein.com