By Claude Peck

The best one-liner of the night at the Ivey Awards (Monday, State Theatre, complete with hired teen screamers alongside the red carpet on Hennepin Avenue)? It came via video, as former proteges of honoree Dudley Riggs shared memories of the comedy-club impresario. Said Sen. Al Franken: "If it had not been for Dudley, I would not had the career I have had. I would be in my fourth term by now." Go here to read about all the other Twin Cities theater types who walked off with Iveys this year.

Dudley Riggs won a Lifetime Achievment Award at the Iveys Monday / Star Tribune photo by Carlos Gonzalez