DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University invites Newtown resident and legendary New Yorker cartoonist Dana Fradon back for a second lecture to discuss his works and humor on Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m. in Room 125 of the Science Building on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.

In this upcoming discussion he will be showing the “LITE” history of funny folk entertainers from Greek mythology to the 1930s. It starts with Momus, Jupiter’s jester, and ends with Charlie Chaplin, and is illustrated with some 70 slides of his own drawings.

The show ends with the origin of “pratfall” (falling on one’s butt) and why it has produced laughter for at least the last 300 years, and a peek at an early carousel. Other strange laugh-getters are also discussed.

In his research, Fradon did not read a book published after 1920. The show is also derived from his books “The King’s Fool” and “From Fools to Jack Puddings to Comedians.”  In his previous WestConn lecture, Fradon spoke about life as a cartoonist for a major magazine. His appearance was so well-received that the university asked him back again.

Fradon is also the author and illustrator of a prize-winning trilogy of children’s books that combine humor with historical information about characters and themes in medieval history.  He has taught art at several institutions including Parsons School of Design. 

The public is invited to the lecture and admission is free. Light refreshments will be served afterward. 

The event is sponsored by the university’s School of Arts and Sciences.

For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.