Did a search and did not find anything here about this smaller than New York, but still thriving comedy city. This thread will list upcoming shows in Boston and the surrounding New England area.
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Although they have many television credits to their name and have been nationally touring for years, many of us (particularly the younger folk) will know these two as the masterminds behind http://www.sheckymagazine.com/. This weekend they head to Boston's newest and (if you'll allow me to somewhat arrogantly speak from personal experience) best place to perform. Hosting the show is local funnyman Chris Pennie.
Best known for his various HBO specials and work on The Howard Stern Show, Robert Schimmel makes his way to Boston this weekend for a night of comedy that is sure to be a blue as it can get.
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Additional information and such:
-For information about shows featuring some of Boston's best local faces, check out http://www.thecomedystudio.com/, the official webstie of Rick Jenkin's Comedy Studio in Cambridge or check in at Mottley's Comedy Club every Wednesday night for "The Lincoln Exhibit", a local showcase night hosted by club co-owner Jon Lincoln and the hilarious Chris Coxen which features some really great local talent.
-For general information about the Boston comedy scene, including upcoming shows, interviews and more, look at http://bostoncomedy.blogspot.com/, the Boston Comedy blog run by Nick Zaino.
-Congraulations to Mottley's Comedy Club for being voted "Best Comedy Night" in the 2009 Boston Phoenix Reader's Best of '09 poll. A special shout out to MC Mister Napkins (http://www.myspace.com/mrnapkins) for being voted best Local Comedian of '09!
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Special Heads Up!
On November 6th and 7th, Mike Birbiglia's "I'm In The Future Also" tour sweeps through Boston. It is sure to be a hot ticket and one of the best shows to swing through Boston this year. Look into getting your tickets early somehow...How? Don't ask me. I'm not smart. But do it!
Last edited by Alex Mac; April 15, 2009 at 9:05 PM.
Reason: additional information added
New Updates. If you are in the area and looking for shows, you might consider checking these out. As always, check out the websites for more information and additional shows.
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Amy Beckerman and Leah Dubie formed Dykes on Mics in November 2007 and in only one year have managed to make a serious impact on the Northeast comedy scene. Dykes on Mics was accepted into the 2008 Women's Center Stage Festival and were welcomed new faces at the Provincetown Art House during this year's Women's Week. Their popular NYC weekly show has been picked by Time Out New York as a BEST BET around town. They are also a hit on the road, wowing audiences and selling out venues from near and far.
April 24th and 25th, Dykes on Mics present "Wicked Funny Humans" starring Boston natives Leah Dubie (Tru TV, Here! TV) and Amy Beckerman (MTV, HBO). Hosted by Mix 98.5's Alicia
Larry Miles as been described as a cross between George Carlin and Dennis Miller. His no holds barred style has won him the respect of his fellow comedians and the laughter of his audiences. Edgy is his favorite way to work. His act has something for everyone. Larry Myles's comedy has taken him around the world. While performing at Los Angeles' prestigious "Improv" he was discovered by AKA Productions and immediately booked to use his sharp wit and flawless comic timing to bring much needed laughter to our troops around the world. Most recently Larry Myles was a stand out act at the Boston Comedy Festival. While appearing in the Hazardous show Larry was selected to perform at the Best of the Fest showcase. While performing with Bobcat Goldthwait during the Montreal Comedy Festival he was cast to appear with Bobcat in Comedy Central's Pulp Comics. Larry's clean observational comedy makes him a perfect act for just about any venue.
04/25/2009
A vibrant performer with a talent for verbal illustration, Charlie Murphy achieved fame as a recurring performer on Chappelle's Show, particularly in the Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories. Murphy is a 17 year veteran of the stage and screen, working with talent such as Denzel Washington, Rip Torn, and Samuel Jackson.If you are looking for a good theatre and a good comedian, you might be interested in checking out the Wilbur this weekend.
-Mottley's has changed their Wednesday night prices! To quote:
"The economy stinks, but Mottley's has you covered! Join us for our own form of economic bailout - until further notice, Wednesdays are just $8.00. College kids get in for $5.00. And if you bring a copy of your layoff letter or an unemployment check stub, we'll let you and a friend in for free! And as always, Miller High Lifes are only $2.50...now that's how you fight a recession."
-Congratulations to comedian Joe Wong for a solid Late Show w/ David Letterman performance this past weekend on the 17th. For some insight on the experience check out Nick Zaino's post on TVSquad (http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/04/17/to...ght-sensation/)
Last edited by Alex Mac; April 20, 2009 at 9:16 AM.
Reason: Formatting
HOW IS THERE NOT A BOSTON SUB FORUM? admins, can we get on this? It's just as relevant as Chicago, with a heavier emphasis on stand-up. Pleeease? I'll even help get the word out when it's up.
Late on the update but here you go. Not sure how many people use this to check for information about major club and theatre show but oh well. Check back every now and then or look at the Comedy Studio's forums (http://www.thecomedystudio.com/forum/) for information on open mics and other shows!
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MC Mister Napkins just won the Boston Phoenix 2009 Best Comic in Boston readers' choice, and we've got him at Mottley's! He's hosting a hand-picked lineup of his favorite comics: Josh Gondelman, Maggie MacDonald, EJ Murphy, and Jono Zalay. Just a tremendous show from top to bottom. Featured Comics MC Mister Napkins, Josh Gondelman, Maggie MacDonald, EJ Murphy, Jono Zalay
and on 05/2/2009
John Turco
John Turco returns to Mottley's! John's one of the sharpest, most versatile, and cleanest comics working today, and to quote Mottley's "we're so glad we talked him out of playing his usual big rooms (South Shore Music Circus, Cape Cod Melody Tent, Somerville Theatre, &tc.) to come play our happy little club."
John's joined by EJ Murphy, a longtime Boston comic, who's making his Mottley's debut, and Dan Crohn, the innovative mind behind Mottley's smash hit Dandemonium show. Featured Comics John Turco, EJ Murphy, Steve Donovan
Known for his online music videos, Canadian comic Jon Lajoie hits the Wilbur for one night of musical comedy that might just knock your dick off. Or not. No promises.
Hi Boston friends. I'm doing 2 big shows at the Calderwood Pavilion on Saturday, May 23rd. The very funny Renata Tutko will open for me. I was born and grew up in Boston so I am very excited to do these shows. Last time I did the Calderwood Pavilion, the shows were incredibly fun. They also sold out, so I had the venue add seats for these shows. It should really be a delicious drug-fueled fuck fest. You can get tickets at this clickable internet linking link: http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/se...?id=7265&src=t
Even later on the update this week due to final exams. I promise to keep updating these every week though and cover the major club and theater shows in the city.
If you are looking on information about open mics or other shows, you can still check out some of the previous links to places like Nick Zaino's blog or the Comedy Studio board. The Boston scene is pretty relaxed and varied. If you are on the East Coast and looking for some good stage time, you might want to consider a trip to Beantown
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Mike has been featured in Comedy Central's Laugh Riots, numerous television commercials, and stars in the upcoming independent film, "Dick Spicketts". In the past year, he toured overseas, entertaining thousands of US military personnel abroad. His one-man show "Death By Chocolate" just finished a sold-out run at the ICA as well.
Mike's joined by Dress-Up Show creator Erin Judge with Sean Sullivan opening. What a great night of comedy by the next generation of Boston heavy hitters. Featured Comics Mike Dorval, Erin Judge, Sean Sullivan
Actually....let's skip that one and let me give you a heads up for the next major show at the Wilbur. No one is going to see that show. At least, no one who posts here.
How about this:
05/29/2009
Steven Wright!
That's better. Boston legend and all around funny man Steven Wright hits up the Wilbur for a night of comedy best served dry as a bone. Steve's a really big contributor to the Boston scene whose Tonight Show set drew a lot of attention to the comedy community back during the days of the Boom. He was the inducted into the Boston Comedy Hall of Fame in 2008 as its first inductee.
-The 48 Hour film project took place in Boston this week and once again, Danny Glover's Super Action Adventure Force Brigade Squad submitted an entry! Take a peak below or check out their Vimeo page (http://vimeo.com/channels/dgsaafbs) for some of their previous films!
-Also, last but not least, a big congratulations to MC Mister Napkins, who has been accepted and will be participating in the Montreal Comedy Festival!
-Also, last but not least, a big congratulations to MC Mister Napkins, who has been accepted and will be participating in the Montreal Comedy Festival!
He's a really nice guy and very funny. Good luck to him!
Taken from Punchline Magazine. The upcoming show list will be up in a few hours. -Mac
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Wrap-up: Janeane Garofalo, Rob Riggle, Eugene Mirman at AltCom
by Rob Turbovsky
May 11, 2009
Opening the second AltCom show on Friday night in Somerville — that’s in the Greater Boston area — Eugene Mirman skewered the debate over what’s “alternative” perfectly as he read from a manifesto strictly defining the rules of alternative. The list included items like “art before commerce” and “smash old items and make new ones out of the bones of the status quo, human hair, and glue, and then smash that again.” The reading concluded with the requirement that every time an alternative comedian performed, he was duty-bound to have Janeane Garofalo come out and shoot him with a Spider-Man web gun and yell “The Patriarchy is her-story,” and, sure enough, there appeared a laughing Janeane Garofalo with a malfunctioning web gun to fulfill the Alt-obligation. And, so, AltCom was ready to (alt) rock again.
Janeane Garofalo attacks Eugene Mirman with her Spider-Man gun
This year’s shows began much the same way the first annual festival in 2008 did, with comics Myq Kaplan and Micah Sherman performing a duet on the Comedians’ National Anthem. This time, the audience was all asked to rise for the glorious song, which was packed with straight-faced mocking salutes to seemingly every cliché comedy premise ever to the tune of the Star Spangled Banner. It was the closest the event came to a mission statement from the former Boston-based comics (they’ve since moved on to New York – damn you, New York for taking all the comics I love!). And it only got better from there.
Micah Sherman and Myq Kaplan
Boasting an expanded itinerary and wider range of shows this time around, the festival seems to be hitting its stride and bringing in healthy crowds to see big-name headliners and talented local acts. AltCom is the kind of thing that can only happen in Boston, where organizer Brian Joyce resides, because it feels like such a natural, warm outgrowth of the comedy scene here. Few comics imagine that they’ll be “discovered” in one of the clubs here, and the lack of overpowering careerism translates into a community of comics who know and care about each others’ work. (They even have softball teams!)
And, interestingly enough, that nurturing environment in turn builds clubs and acts that attract talk show and festival bookers. (The newest addition to the Boston club scene, Mottley’s, run by people who are focused more on the comedy side of the comedy business, was recently visited by the Just For Laughs Festival, and Joe Wong, a frequent performer at the tiny Comedy Studio in Harvard Square last month made his television debut in a widely-praised performance on The Late Show with David Letterman. See Louis C.K.’s recent blog post on Wong and the Studio here.)
Rob Riggle
Janeane Garofalo came up through the Boston comedy scene of the late 80s (which she discussed fondly in a lengthy radio interview with local comic and radio host Derek Gerry that you should listen to here), and it was good to have her back, if only for a night. The actress/comedian headlined the first of the Friday shows, and while there had been some advanced chatter in the Boston Herald about hecklers disrupting her show due to comments she made about right-wing “teabaggers” on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann, her sixty minute set went over wonderfully. (Though she did greet any potential troublemakers at the top of her show by saying, “To any teabaggers in the audience, welcome and, as always, ‘White power.’”)
Even if the audience had been full of crazy zealots, Garofalo would have won them over with a disarming performance that balanced prickly cynicism with an openness and vulnerability that seemed to dissolve any barrier between the audience and the comic. Also helping to bridge the performer/observer divide: Garofalo’s frequent trips to the crowd, including a hilarious opening where she leapt from the stage and ran around offering hi-fives and a later segment where she traveled through the crowd to show off her favorite puppy calendar in hopes that it would establish that she is not an asshole. Her likability and skill in taking the crowd to dark or uncomfortable places (including a killer stretch about her and her longtime boyfriends’ simultaneous bouts with norovirus) reminded me, oddly enougn, of another comic who came up in the Boston scene in the late 80s and early 90s: Louis CK.
Janeane Garofalo, Rob Riggle, Jamie Kilstein and Leo Allen
Eschewing all political content, Garofalo’s set was at times meandering but never dull as she candidly discussed her struggles with alcoholism and religion without ever being pedantic or heavy-handed. She surveyed audience members’ usage of anti-depressants approvingly saying, “Life’s too long not to try anti-depressants.” Certainly, the hour-long set was too short and it all made me wish that she were more prolific in terms of recorded material.
The show Garofalo headlined also featured strong performances from former Saturday Night Live writer Leo Allen and, most impressively, Jamie Kilstein. Jokingly introduced by Kaplan as a comic who was “famous in every country except this one,” Kilstein takes about two minutes to convince you he’s deserving of all the acclaim from magazines like this one and people like Paul Provenza, and then takes another two minutes to convince you that he’s actually deserving of a whole lot more.
Ian Moore
His searing set focused on political hot button issues (or, at least, ones that would be hot button if he weren’t in Massachusetts). Normally, while I agree with the perspective of acts like Kilstein, I’m usually wary of the kind of comedy that’s calibrated to convince only the true-believers, but there’s something different about what Kilstein does. As he paces and stamps around the stage, you realize that the anger isn’t a simple, thrashy “fuck this” rant-and-rave but a researched call to action. There’s earnestness and hope under it, albeit way, way, way under it. Friday night’s second show included Mirman, English comic Ian Moore and former Daily Show correspondent Rob Riggle, and the Upright Citizens Bridge, whom Riggle joined for their improv performance at the end of the night.
Janeane Garofalo
For his first-ever performance in America, Ian Moore, a “Mod comic” dressed in a suit, seemed to have no trouble adjusting to the audiences here. Moore’s delivery is slow and quiet, and he’s a pro at using pacing to control the audience. The quieter he got, the more they seemed to lean in to listen. His performance, comprised of short stories dryly punctuated with witty asides, connected with the audience in the best way a comic can hope for in a large room: it felt as though he was talking to a single person and not a theatre of hundreds.
Moore mentioned his current life on a farm in France, where he’s made no effort to learn the language so he uses his seven-year-old son as a translator, and the uptick of crime in London, “where they have a nasty new hobby: knife crime.” If the AltCom crowd came to hear people they knew, they must have left surprised at the talent they’d only just discovered. Moore and Kilstein were surely a part of that. (Moore also sells chutney on his website – check it out, I hear it’s delicious.)
Eugene Mirman, Leo Allen and Rob Riggle
And then, like any good festival there were the acts we knew, the acts we didn’t know, and the acts who surprised us along the way: I hadn’t seen Riggle’s stand-up before, but there’s no big jump from the blustery, loud character he played on the Daily Show to his onstage persona. In a half-hour set, Riggle killed with stories of the stench of the men’s bathroom at a football game, especially when citing his own experiences in two wars (he’s a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marines) in comparison. Janeane Garofalo could be seen watching the set and laughing along from the side of the stage.
Riggle instructed the audience to put on their “improv” hats before he brought on the Upright Citizens Brigade, but the crowd seemed ready to roll with it. The troupe brought up an audience member for an interview and then seamlessly fell into a performance based on the information gleaned from his answers. So, it was a lot of jokes about Trans Ams and references to Lowell, Massachusetts – Jack Kerouac’s hometown and the black tar heroin capital of, well, at least New England, I think.
I’m doing a terrible job describing it, but it brought the house down. Watching UCB in action is like taking a free improv class. You realize that most improv is terrible and even good improv isn’t all that good, but great improv – like UCB - is something like tiny miracles of funny exploding unpredictably before your eyes. It was a thrillingly hilarious night for all.
Upright Citizens Brigade onstage with Rob Riggle
And, those were the big shows of AltCom 2009. (The Michael Ian Black/Michael Showalter show was cancelled a week prior to the festival due to scheduling issues with their new Comedy Central series.) Saturday boasted three more shows in smaller venues, including the Jerkus Circus burlesque show that packed the backroom at The Burren pub and an early performance by what may have well been “the world’s first on-purpose all-Vegan comedy show.”
And, I think it was at the point that I was watching comedians perform in between two tables promoting vegetarianism and veganism or maybe sometime in the burlesque act when a man known as the Human Floor jumped up and down on broken glass and then Jamie Kilstein went on and destroyed that all doubt was cast aside and I thought to myself, jeez, this is alternative.
For more info on the AltCom festival, check out their official site.
Video of some of the events can be found by clicking the links below:
Jon Lincoln (Seattle Comedy Festival) and Chris Coxen (NBC's Last Comic Standing) bring the madness of their Wednesday shows to a weekend! The hosts of Mottley's Comedy Bailout present an all-star lineup of veteran comics mixed in with their patented brand of absurd - and barely controlled - chaos. Coxen was last seen at Mottley's as Barry Tattle for a fabulous Valentine's Day show, and we can't wait to see who shows up this time.
Jon and Chris are joined by the inimitable Tom Dustin, favorite Clark E., NYC's Carolyn Castiglia, and other surprise guests!
Last Comic Standing winner Josh Blue swing down to the Wilbur Theatre this weekend!
A gifted stand-up comedian and talented U.S. Paralympic soccer player, Josh Blue refuses to bow to any of the challenges that come from living with cerebral palsy. He jokes, "I realize that people are going to stare so I want to give them something to stare at." He uses his self-deprecating sense of humor to defy stereotypes and encourage others to overcome their pre-conceived notions about disabled people.
Blue - who was born in Cameroon, West Africa, and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota - got his start in comedy while pursuing a B.A. degree in creative writing from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA.
In addition to guest-starring on Comedy Central's "Mind of Mencia," Blue has been making audiences laugh in top comedy clubs, theaters, colleges campuses and corporate events all over the country. At the 2004 Las Vegas Comedy Festival, he won the $10,000 Grand Prize at the Royal Flush Comedy Competition. In 2005, he earned rave reviews on the college circuit and a nomination for "Best Diversity Event of 2006."
Describing his comedy as "spastic and engaging," Blue wanted to be on "Last Comic Standing" to "make people aware of the fact that people with disabilities can make an impact."
In addition to being a stand-up comic, Blue is also a U.S. Paralympic soccer player, and he participated in the 2004 Paralympic Games that took place in Athens, Greece. The Paralympics, held two weeks after the Olympics, are the world's second largest sporting event.
-Look for an interview with comedian Rob Delaney to be posted in the next few days either here or on my website.
-The Women in Comedy Festival kicked off last night and continues until Saturday. This festival has a killer schedule and talent. In fact, there is so much going on that it is going to take one more post for me to put the schedule on here. For tickets and more information, check http://www.womenincomedyfestival.com/
Last edited by Alex Mac; May 14, 2009 at 2:49 PM.
Reason: Additonal information
Here is the schedule for the Women in Comedy Festival:
THURSDAY:
6PM Fabulous Females Cocktail Party
At ImprovBoston Lobby. Join us for a festive fundraiser to benefit women in comedy.
$25
8PM Bastards, Inc.
Featuring stand up comedy with Jess Sutich (A Night of Oral Tradition), Lindsay Gonzalez, Michelle Barbera (We're Making a Movie), and improv by Three Hole Punch and Bastards, Inc.
$10/$7 students and seniors
10PM Funny Films
Featuring a night of short films and video sketch written, produced and created by women. Hosted by Rheri and Jim Kenney.
$10/$7 students and seniors
FRIDAY:
8PM, Main Theater: Atreus
Aeschylus meets Dallas. The world's first soap opera is reimagined in the modern-day, high-stakes business world.
$16/$12 (students and seniors)
10PM, “Friday Night Variety Show" Hosted by: The Steamy Bohemians. Featuring: Carolyn Castiglia, Daniella Capolino, M. Dickson, Shereen Kassam, Jennifer Myszkowski, Sharon Spell, Carolyn Plummer
$20/$16 (students and seniors)
SATURDAY:
10 - 12:30 Writing Workshop for the Ladies with Marty Johnson
Show up and mention "Facebook" and get $15 off if there is still space!
1pm - 3:30 pm You've Got a Great Show Idea, Now What? with Two Girls For Five Bucks
Show up and mention "Facebook" and get $15 off if there is still space!
3:45 FREE Panel Discussion on the business and creative side of comedy. Catered by City Girl Cafe in Inman Square
6PM, Main Theater: Women of Family Show
An improvised comedy show for the whole family. Come see singing dancing and comedy all off the top of our improviser's heads.
$12/$10 (seniors)/ $7 (students and children)
8PM, Main Theater: The Women in Comedy Stand up Showcase
Featuring Headliner Kelly MacFarland (Comedy Central), hosted by Erin Judge (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham) and Bethany Van Delft (Boston Comedy Festival) with Maria Ciampa (North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival), Selena Coppock (North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival), Desiree Burch (Hysterical Festival), Robin Gelfenbien (Hysterical Festival)
$25/$20 (students and seniors)
9:30PM - “Boston News Network”, Boston’s premier weekly fake news show features the funniest women in Boston: Kristina Smarz, Megan Golterman, and more.
$10/$7 (students and seniors)
10PM - “Improv and Sketch Showcase”, featuring ImprovBoston Mainstage, Two Girls For Five Bucks, sketch comedy featuring Cathleen Carr and Daiva Dupree (Ars Nova), Somebody’s In The Doghouse, sketch comedy featuring Marty Johnson and Leah Gotsik (The Second City at Sea)
$25/$20 (students and seniors)
If you're heading out to see a comedy show tonight, you've got a lot of good options. There's the Doug Stanhope show at the Hard Rock, there are several shows connected with the Women In Comedy Festival at ImprovBoston. If you're on the north shore, Don Gavin is playing the Kowloon with Larry Lee Lewis featuring. If you're downtown, Juston McKinney was just added to tonight's show at Mottley's Comedy Club with Jon Lincoln and Chris Coxen. And Mike Donovan is at Tommy's Comedy Lounge with Tony Moschetto and Alicia Love.
For other comedian interviews, including recent interviews with Doug Stanhope and Rob Riggle, check out http://bostoncomedy.blogspot.com/ for Nick Zaino's Boston comedy blog.
In addition to being a world-class comedian, Jimmy Dunn is the star of a series of Olympia Sports commercials (he drives a cab going to Fenway Park)and is also the wiseguy "voice" of the NESN dating show Sox Appeal. The former host of NESN's "Fan Attic" did comedic features from a fan's perspective for the Boston Red Sox pre-game show during the historic 2004 season, and authored a popular book on his experiences called Funnyball.
But while he's well-known for sports humor, his selection of comedic topics is a whole lot broader. In addition to working clubs, corporate shows, and theater shows around New England, Dunn has appeared on Comedy Central, Jimmy Kimmel Live, CMT's Hit Parade, Inside This Old House, and the movie Stuck on You, where he shared a jail cell with Matt Damon.
Jimmy's joined by returning Mottley's favorites Graig Murphy and Maria Ciampa.
Also: If you find me, Alex Mac, on the streets of Boston this Friday before the show (roughly from 5 to 7PM), you will get a voucher for reduced price on your ticket! Its like Where's Waldo? except you also have no real idea what I look like!
@The Wilbur Theatre
(http://www.thewilburtheatre.com/)
5/23/2009
Unwigged and Unpugged: A Night with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer
Actors/Directors/Musicians and Comedy Icons Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer are doing something they have never done before; performing a six week, 30 city multi-media acoustic tour without wigs and electric instruments. UNWIGGED & UNPLUGGED: An Evening with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer has the legendary musical and comedic trio performing music from heavy metal's loudest band Spinal Tap along with the folk music from A Mighty Wind, and more.
@ The Calderwood Pavilion
5/23/2009
Rob Delaney
As previous advertised in this thread, Rob Delaney is bringing his signature blend of humor back home to Boston. Rob is painfully funny, brazen, inspired, and bizarre in a thoroughly delightful way. He lives in Los Angeles where he's a regular at the Improv and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Sometimes, he's on TV. If you enjoy laughing very much or your house has burned down, come see Rob live immediately.
-Boston comedian (well, now technically New York comedian) Myq Kaplan recorded a new CD at Comix last night in New York. Look forward to it soon. Until then, check out Myq on ABC by clicking this link: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7596189
Last edited by Alex Mac; May 19, 2009 at 1:41 PM.
Reason: Formatting
A couple of really good shows this week featuring some great local comedians and the return of one of the people who started it all in Boston.
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Joe List's Green Collar Comedy Tour- A Benefit for Green Corps
Joe List hosts Tony Moschetto, Lamont Price, Mike Whitman, Daniella Capolino, Dan Boulger and Tom Dustin -- a terrific show to support Green Corps, a grassroots environmental group that travels the country fighting against climate change. Proceeds go directly to Green Corps.
Mottley's is proud to present Tina Kim, a former television news reporter who blends her humor with stories about dating, her wacky family, her keen observations, and so much more. She has been featured on NBC's Last Comic Standing, CNN, VH-1 and Comics Unleashed as well as many comedy festivals across the country and the world. Back in 2002, Tina produced the very first Asian-American Comedy festival in Massachusetts. It has been four years since Tina was in Boston doing her own show and she is really looking forward to seeing everyone in Beantown.
WMFO's Daniella Cappolino hosts the show. Local favorite Tim McIntire drops in on Friday, with the ever-popular John Garrison coming by on Saturday.
As previous teased here before, the legendary Steven Wright will be coming to Boston. Tickets for this show are likely to be few and few between at this point, so if you want a chance to see this Boston legend you should act fast!
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Additional information and such:
-Robby Roadsteamer has been hard at work on an online sitcom series titled "Quiet Desperation" about the art and comedy scene in Boston. All four episodes can be watched on Robby's website (http://www.roadsteamer.com/).
-Boston News Net, the city's own satrical new program will have its last show of the season this Saturday. The shows are held every week at ImprovBoston in Cambridge. More information can be found at http://bostonnewsnet.com/.
In honor of this upcoming show, here's a clip from last week's top stories which includes tip if you are traveling into the wasteland of my homestate, New Hampshire.
Steven Wright seems to be in the news a lot lately. Warner Bros is re-releasing Wright classic 1985 album I Have a Pony on June 2nd. Included with the CD will be a copy of Wright's HBO special from that year, A Steven Wright Special.
All this happens while he visits the Wilbur Theatre tonight for a show and the Ahavath Torah Congregation on June 14th for a benefit show for his friend and opening act, Boston favorite Bob Lazarus, who died in January.
Longtime interviewer of Boston comedians, Nick Zaino wrote a quick interview with Wright which you can find in the Boston Globe. Read it down below along with additional questions which did not make it into the interview.
------------------------------------------------------------------- Still horsing around
By Nick A. Zaino III, Globe Correspondent | May 29, 2009
Steven Wright's deadpan absurdism first came to national attention in 1982 with his debut appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. Almost 30 years later, he's even funnier and still touring regularly - he's at the Comedy Connection Wilbur Theatre tonight, the Cape Cod Melody Tent in July, and plays a benefit June 14 at the Ahavath Torah Congregation in Stoughton for the family of his good friend and sometime opening act Bob Lazarus, who died of leukemia in January. Next week, Warner Brothers rereleases his 1985 debut CD, "I Have a Pony," and his first HBO special together in one package. He released his second album, "I Still Have a Pony," in 2007.
Q. Are you happy that "I Have a Pony" is going to be rereleased?
A. Oh, yeah, sure. It wasn't even my idea. It was the 50th anniversary of Warner Brothers, and they're rereleasing some of their stuff. I think it'll be good. Especially for younger people who may have never even heard of it.
Q. Have you gone back and watched the HBO special or listened to "I Have a Pony" since you recorded them?
A. I'm going to do a set on Letterman from that material [airing June 5], so I listened to it to see what material I was going to take out of it. But I don't just casually turn it on for no reason.
Q. Can we look forward to "I Still Still Have a Pony" in 22 years?
A. Did you put two "stills" in there? That's good. I wasn't sure what I would name the next one, but now I think you've nailed it. Maybe "I Had a Pony."
Q. Where do you try out new material these days? Is there anywhere you go to work out?
A. When I'm on the road I can just try it during my show. I went to the Laugh Factory last week, that's a club in Los Angeles, trying to figure out the Letterman material. Sometimes I'll go into a small club and sometimes I'll do it during the show.
Q. What do you think people should remember most about Bob Lazarus?
A. It would have to be his unusual angle on things. His sense of humor, definitely. I laughed as much with him as with anyone in my whole life, hanging out with him. I'd known him since '79. So 30 years. Definitely his sense of humor is the main thing. And a very kind person, too. Very real.
Additional Questions:
Can we look forward to I Still Still Have a Pony in 23 years?
Did you put two “stills” in there? That’s good. I wasn’t sure what I would name the next one but now I think you’ve nailed it. Maybe I Had a Pony.
And make people wonder, what happened to the pony?
All these titles about the pony, and then the pony’s never mentioned.
“We don’t like to talk about what happened to the pony?” That’s probably too long for an album title.
That’s funny. “We don’t like talking about what happened to the pony,” that’s the title? That’s good.
Are you thinking of doing another album or special soon?
No, not soon. Just touring, building up material on the road and stuff.
Where do you try out new material these days? Is there anywhere you go to work out?
When I’m the road I can just try it during my show. I went to the Laugh Factory last week, that’s a club in Los Angeles, trying to figure out the Letterman material [his appearance airs June 5]. Sometimes I’ll go into a small club and sometimes I’ll do it during the show.
I know you would sometimes drop by the Comedy Studio or the old Connection here.
Yeah, yeah. I haven’t done that in a while. It’s too bad the Connection moved. That was a good room.
Do you get down to the clubs at all, even just to watch?
Occasionally, I might go to Giggles, because usually some of my friends are playing there. I’ve done some short sets in there, too. I like that place.
I am coming to Boston for about a week later this month. Is there an open mic night in Boston where the people are funny and I may actually have a chance to go up?
I am coming to Boston for about a week later this month. Is there an open mic night in Boston where the people are funny and I may actually have a chance to go up?
Your best bet would be Sally O'Brien's in Somerville. Used to be run by Myq Kaplan and Micah Sherman but now Josh Gondelman is in charge. Good room, very free to work material in.
Shows are Monday's at 7:30. You can take the Red line and a Bus. Or the Orange line an a bus. Detailed directions can be found by clicking Here
Here's the address:
335 Somerville Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 666-3589
You might also want to look into Dick Doherty's Comedy Vault on Tremont Street in Boston. However, if you do, you should call a head and schedule your stage time and do it ASAP.
For other potential places to perform, click this: Comedy Shows
Switching up the format this week. Sort of. Lots of shows, especially at the Studio. Helps to offset a lighter weekend at the Wilbur. Really good week all around. Best to be direct and to the point. Enjoy.
------------------------------------------------------------------- @ Mottley's Comedy Club
Friday and Saturday - JIM COLLITONJim Colliton is one of the hardest-working, sharpest, and funniest comics to ever work the New England scene. If you have ever been embarrassed about the contents of your recycling bin or tried to kill a flying bat in your house, you will find Jim's comedy hilarious. If none of these things hits home, Jim has also stolen a school bus and everyone finds that story funny.
He's been seen on national television shows like Ed McMahon's Next Big Star, Comcast Comedy Spot Light and Comedy Central Laugh Riots. Jim can also be heard on XM Satellite Radio's Comedy Channel.
Jim's joined by Mike Whitman, one of our favorite comics and a guy destined to be too big for the likes of us pretty dang soon as well as Andrew Sleighter, a west coast transplant who always blows the doors off the club.
Thursday - MORTIFIEDTrue tales... ripped from the pages of real life! Mortified stars everyday adults sharing their most embarrassingly real teenage diary entries, poems, love letters, lyrics and locker notes... in front of total strangers. Part comedy, part theater, part therapy. Fueled by strong word-of-mouth, Mortified has been embraced by fans across the nation with constant sold-out live events in various cities (LA, NYC, SF, Chicago, Portland, Austin, etc). Get up close and personal with the show that's been hailed as a "cultural phenomenon" by Newsweek and celebrated by the likes of This American Life, The Today Show, The Onion AV Club, Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, Jane, Daily Candy and more! Real words. Real people. Real pathetic. Share the shame.
Renata Tutko hosts Myq Kaplan, Bryan Ames, Bill Braudis, Steve Macone, Dan Crohn, Nate Johnson, Gary Petersen, Jimmy Tingle.
Sat 6.6
Rick Jenkins hosts! Dan Crohn, Nate Johnson, Kelly MacFarland, Tom E. Morello, Jen Myszkowski, Gary Petersen, Jimmy Tingle.
Sun 6.7
Bethany Van Delft hosts...
with Kenny Baclawski, Daniel Forlano, Nikki Luparelli, PJ Brown, Tom Dunlap, James Duffy, DJ Reason, Coleen Morrisey, Mike Del Ilano, Roman Pierce, Gary Petersen
-A special shout out the Mottley's softball team, who actually won a game this week! I don't know what the league standings are right now but I am sure they are happy for this victory.
Last edited by Alex Mac; June 3, 2009 at 4:28 PM.
Reason: Format
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Originally Posted by Alex Mac
Joe List hosts Tony Moschetto, Lamont Price, Mike Whitman, Daniella Capolino, Dan Boulger and Tom Dustin -- a terrific show to support Green Corps, a grassroots environmental group that travels the country fighting against climate change. Proceeds go directly to Green Corps.
