"We were looking for new ideas back in January," said Jim Fry, director of development for the shelter. "We called back to mind the HBO comedy specials in the 1980s that raised money to help the homeless throughout the country. We thought it would be great to try this on a local level."

The headliner will be Kevin Meaney, who appeared in the movie "Big" with Tom Hanks, on "Hollywood Squares" and more than a dozen times on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.

The comics come from New York City, Boston and Portland, among other places, but many of them have a local connection. Aaron David Ward is from Ballston Spa, John Briggs is from Glens Falls, Dee Watson is from Schenectady, Jim Lauletta hails from Boston but has family in Wynantskill and Stacey Prussman and Jerry Kahn both attended the University at Albany.

"They're extremely kindhearted folks. Some of them are driving great distances to participate," Fry said.

Joseph's House worked with Tom Nicchi, owner of the Comedy Works in Albany, and Mike Irwin, who manages the Funny Farm in Broadalbin.

"They've been very instrumental in getting headline talent," Fry said.

Irwin, the show's producer, said comics are naturally sensitive to homelessness.

"Most of us are fairly low-income or middle-income," he said. "We're all almost two weeks of cancellations from homelessness ourselves. It's a very hand-to-mouth existence."

Ward, who still lives in Ballston Spa, said he is glad to participate.

"Comedy is relief from pain and what better way to relieve people's pain, bringing laughter and raising money for a good cause," he said.

A professional stand-up for three years, Ward said he started after losing a job.

"I lost a job and it was my way of thumbing my nose at the corporate world," he said. "Three years later, it's cheaper than therapy. Now they pay me to confess my sins nightly."

He expects to get 10 minutes to perform, about a third of the time he gets at his usual gigs at the Funny Farm or the Saratoga Comedy Club.

At first he says he won't be making jokes about the homeless.

"I always focus on my material. I'm focusing on the strengths of my act, not really on relating it to what I am raising money for," he said. A moment later, he can't resist: "Since I live in my parents' basement, I am sort of homeless myself."

All the money raised will go to programs for the shelter, which houses some 800 people a year.

"The comedians are all donating their time," Fry said. "The expenses are being donated. Holiday Inn Express is donating rooms. Russell Sage College is donating the auditorium. Concessions have been donated."

The shelter hopes to raise $35,000.

"Certainly, it's the biggest thing Joseph's House has brought to this area in terms of fund raising," Fry said.

And Irwin said the cause speaks for itself, so the comics don't have to try to mine it for jokes.

"We just have to be funny," he said. "We don't have to make homelessness funny.