Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City announced the addition of Standing Ovation Entertainment, led by Darcy Novick and Richie Minervini, as the new managing partner of the Borgata Comedy Club effective January 15.
“The Borgata Comedy Club has been an integral part of Borgata’s entertainment lineup, providing nightly performances and driving an excellent midweek entertainment offering to our guests for over a decade, said Borgata Senior Vice President of Operations Joe Lupo. “We couldn’t be happier to have Darcy and Richie stepping in to oversee the day-to-day roster and bringing along their great reputations and experience for attracting comedic talent.”
The two managers have been collaborating in comedy for over 20 years, starting when Minervini hired Novick to manage the East Side Comedy Club, where comics such as Kevin James, Eddie Murphy, Rosie O’Donnell, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Ferrara, Joey Kola, Bob Nelson, Gary Valentine and Ray Romano shaped their careers. They have also successfully collaborated to produce comedy shows such as the LI Comedy and Music Fest through Darcy Novick Productions and have used their comedy/music shows to raise over $125,000 for cancer research and awareness through the “Bosom Buddies” charity. (Novick is a breast cancer survivor.)
The Borgata Comedy Club was opened in 2004 by the late Ray Garvey, a former New York police officer and longtime comic from Brooklyn who learned the trade while managing the well-known Brooklyn comedy club Pips. Garvey died in 2010.
“Darcy and I are very excited to join the Borgata family,” said Minervini. “Our goal is to book quality comedy shows, from the newest, hottest comics to some of the great legends in our business.” Added Novick, “We look forward to creating a culture where everyone is treated with respect so they truly enjoy coming to the property, whether as a comedian or a customer. We are absolutely honored to carry on Ray Garvey’s legacy.”
