The Iowa Special Olympics will present “Comedy Iowa” tonight at 7:30 in Stephens Auditorium, free of charge to the public.

Anyone who has already purchased a ticket can receive a full refund at each show. However, donations will be accepted at each of the five shows.

“I hope people of all ages will want to go see the program,” said Phyllis Coruse, executive director of older adult programs at Mary Greeley Medical Center. “It will be an evening of music and comedy that everyone can enjoy,”

Coruse said “Comedy Iowa” is sponsored by Prime Time Alive, an organization within the hospital. As part of the sponsorship, the comedians must come to the hospital to meet the patients and sign autographs.

“Comedy Iowa” will feature Shelley Berman, Peter Marshall, Jack Riley and Ronnie Schell.

Berman, a stand-up comic from the ’60s, appeared on the “Ed Sullivan Show.” Berman won the first Grammy Award for a nonmusical recording, and her comedy albums have sold three gold records, according to a press release.

Berman also was part of “Anything Goes,” “Music Man,” “42nd Street” and “La Cage Aux Follies.”

Marshall hosted “Hollywood Squares” for 15 years and starred in “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Riley played Mr. Carlin on the “Bob Newhart Show” and starred in “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.” He also was in a number of Mel Brooks comedies.

Schell was Duke Slater on the “Gomer Pyle Show” and a regular on “That Girl,” “Good Morning World” and “Down to Earth.”

According to a press release, 1998 is the 30th anniversary for the Iowa Special Olympics.

“We feel this is an excellent opportunity to celebrate 30 years of helping the mentally handicapped here in Iowa and offer a chance to say thank you to the friends of Special Olympics who have made those 30 years possible,” said Rich Fellingham, executive director of the Iowa Special Olympics, in a press release.

Coruse said she feels sponsoring the comedians is a good way to give back to the community.

“We just want them to put smiles on the patients’ faces,” she said.