Bob Newhart takes center stage

ESCONDIDO — He’s known as the King of Comedy. His many roles include the Inn Keeper, the Psychologist and more recently Morty, the on-again, off-again boyfriend of Terry Hatcher’s TV mother on “Desperate Housewives.” Now, Bob Newhart takes the stage twice at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido (CCAE) after gleaning from his over-40-year career as a comedian a wealth of laughter-invoking anecdotes and skits. He performs on Saturday, January 13, at 2 and 8 p.m. Accompanying the performance is a sold-out Winemaker’s Dinner hosted by the center’s executive chef, Jeff D. Massey, with wine provided by Belle Marie Winery.

“Bob Newhart’s comedy is in a league of its own,” said Christian Wolf, Director of Communications for CCAE. “His performance will give guests a night of comedy they won’t soon forget.”

Known for his deadpan humor and slight stammer, Newhart shined earlier this year in a comedy routine at the 2006 Emmy Awards. His new book, “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This,” is a retrospective of his life as a stage and screen comedian. For his January 13 performance, Newhart will be joined by musical guest Susan Egan, star of Broadway’s original Belle in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

The night before Bob Newhart’s performance, the Manhattan Transfer is appearing in the Concert Hall, Friday, January 12, at 8 p.m. The Manhattan Transfer has won multiple Grammy Awards for their jazz-infused pop and innovative harmonies.

For prices and more information about the performances, call the ticket office at 1-800-988-4253, visit http://www.artcenter.org or visit the ticket office at 340 North Escondido Boulevard. Half price for military and students on day of performance.