Showtime Sound Blog

Healing through humor is a time-honored tradition. On September 10, 2026, Showtime Sound LLC proudly provided full production for NYC Still Rising After 25 Years: A 9/11 Charities Comedy Benefit at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Marking the 25th anniversary of September 11, the event brought extraordinary talent together to support 9/11 charities and honor the first responder community. For Showtime, it was an opportunity to bring our experience, trusted equipment, and dedicated production team to an event with deep meaning.

The evening featured Aziz Ansari, Nate Bargatze, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Ronny Chieng, Pete Davidson, Shane Gillis, Nikki Glaser, Josh Johnson, Kevin Hart, Cipha Sounds, and Jon Stewart, with special musical guest Machine Gun Kelly (MGK). Showtime has worked with many of these comedians over the years - relationships built through collaboration and an understanding of what comedians need to deliver their best performances. Having so many familiar performers together for a great cause made this night especially memorable for our team.

Our Showtime crew brought together audio equipment from our amazing partners at L-Acoustics, Avid, and Shure, along with outstanding LED technology from Theatrixx Technologies, and lighting fixtures from notable brands including ACME Lighting, Chauvet Professional, Martin Lighting, and more. Great equipment matters, and so does the team behind it. Showtime consistently combines experienced production professionals with carefully selected technology to help clients create events that sound exceptional, look stunning, and connect with their audiences. Showtime CFO and Senior Lighting Designer Aaron Kovelman commented, “Designing the lighting for NYC Still Rising was an honor - an opportunity to recognize our first responders and commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11. The design was subtle but impactful: controlled color contrast, a sharply lit drape, two large towers at each end of the stage, and a continuous downstage line of lights created layered depth across the 60-foot-wide stage while keeping the comedians as the focal point. Together, those elements gave the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ a distinct visual identity for the evening, supporting both the comedy and the shared patriotic spirit that brought everyone together.”

It was an honor and a privilege to support this meaningful benefit for first responders. A special thank you to our partners at Live Nation for including Showtime and trusting our team with its production. Whether you’re planning a tour, concert, comedy show, corporate gathering, or charity benefit like this, contacting Showtime means bringing your vision to life.

ABOUT SHOWTIME SOUND LLC Showtime Sound LLC is a full-service event production company located in Frederick, Maryland that provides a wide range of audio, lighting, video, staging, and backline for any size event or venue. The Showtime team specializes in production integration. They design, build, and move events from large clubs to touring arenas to outdoor stadiums. From start to finish, Showtime Sound LLC provides turn-key event production. https://www.showtimesoundllc.com

Photos Courtesy of Aziz Ansari and Scott Tydings