The Somerville News Blog

Singer is all about the zingers

by Karmyn E. Guthrie

Emily Singer, local comedian and spokesperson for Jimmy Tingle’s Off-Broadway, spoke at the Somerville News contributors meeting February 18th
Singer does public relations and marketing for the Davis Square theater, a job that utilizes her genuine passion for comedy, in general, and Jimmy Tingle’s, in particular. 

Mustachioed Bastard

by Peter Yezukevich

My first boss was a guy who took ice cream way too seriously. I was sixteen and had managed to stave off the inevitable no longer: I needed a job. My friend Fred worked at the local ice cream stand and it seemed like easy enough work. Within weeks of working there, I took to calling the boss The Mustachioed Bastard. He was thick-headed and barrel-chested, with massive arms like a wrestler, so he looked and sounded ridiculous saying things like “Butter crunch is low, better get another!” or “Bananas first, then heavy cream, c’mon!” Because of his attitude and because I was shiftless, I felt no guilt when I called in sick for the first time, on a hot Friday night in the summer.

Police arrest burglary suspect on Dane Street

by Neil W. McCabe

City police officers arrested a man Sept. 27 matching the description of a burglar who was fleeing a breaking and entering at 327 Washington St.

The arresting officer, Steve St. Hilaire, said in his report that he and Officer Mario Oliveira responded to the call and apprehended Jeffery Banos, 23, of 47 Hanson St., after a witness made a positive identification.

Political Cartoon by Peter Yezukevich

On the Comedy Beat with Peter Yezukevich

Comic Morrell dreams on a three-way street

When comedian Mike Morrell took the stage on Sunday night before a lively crowd of Harvard Square denizens, he was filled with hopes of success in the intersecting worlds of stand-up, acting and improv comedy. Mostly though, he was hoping to hear his favorite sound: laughter.

With a winning perma-grin and the sort of delivery that brought to mind an everyman version of Dennis Miller, the Somerville-based comic worked through his set, hitting highs and lows, and on many occasions, getting the laughs he has worked for over the past two years.

Tony V. takes Off-Broadway audience off the road, off the hinges

by Neil W. McCabe

A nationally known comic, who was born and raised in Somerville, who once played a gorilla in a suitcase commercial, led two nights of laugh Aug. 12 and 13 at the Tingle’s in Davis Square.

“I attended St. Joseph’s Church in Union Square—a parish untouched by scandal—so far,” said Tony V., who performed with the Walsh Brothers Aug. 12 and Joe Wong Aug. 13.

Derek Gerry, Rest In Los Angeles

Gerry Hosts Toast comedy night

A Melrose native who is heading to Los Angeles to chase dreams of love and laughter, in that order, acted as host Aug. 27, for the final time in the Boston area Friday night, at Toast in Union Square.

Derek Gerry is used to hosting comedy nights, having spent the past two years honing that craft in clubs in and around Somerville and Cambridge. Filling in for the otherwise occupied Baratunde, who ended his Comic-in-residence stint at the Comedy Studio the same weekend, Gerry surrounded himself with a potpourri of talent.

Gerry looks back on his Boston phase

by Peter Yezukevich

Most of the time, if you hear that a local comic is packing up and heading for Los Angeles, it would mean that the bright marquee lights of that fabled city were beckoning.

So what was it that made local comedian Derek Gerry uproot and relocate to the City of Angels?

ColorStruck: A showcase for woman of color proudly dsplays local comedy

by Peter Yezukevich

Jimmy Tingle's Off-Broadway Theater in Davis Square was packed to the gills on Aug. 6 for the return of a show whose audience has grown yearly since its debut five years ago.

Almost all of the comedians featured in "ColorStruck: Boston's 5th Annual Women of Color in Comedy" were at least one-year veterans of the popular show. The only exception was the night’s headliner, LeighAnn Lord, the nationally known comic who you know from “the View” or from Comedy Central.With a polished stage presence and curse-free act, Lord actually seemed a little out of place.

Up until her set, ColorStruck's vibe was established early heavy on material that would have made Barbara Walters blush.

It was not family fare, but that’s not a fair standard for good comedy All in all, the women of color showcased at Tingle's were bold, brash and unfailingly funny.

Two of the show's highlights, Esther Ku and Alana Devich, are residents of Somerville.

Comedy is an interesting science

by Neil W. McCabe

Many comics struggle with rejection. Erin Judge, a regular at Rick Jenkin’s Comedy Studio in Harvard Square, came to comedy because of rejection.

Judge said when she was at Wellesley College, she was turned down by every singing and acting group on the campus, except for a Christian choir.

Comedy @ Toast

by Neil W. McCabe

Five local comedians entertained July 16 at The Somerville News @ Toast comedy night at the Union Square vibe den.

“This summer comedy rooms are closing everywhere, it is so great that The News is supporting comedy and giving people a chance to see some very funny comics. I especially liked the host for the comedy night, he was very funny,” said Brian Gordon, who hosted the night, standing in for the regular host, Baratunde.

“It was my first time at Toast and it blew me away—just everything. The décor, the employees and the audience really into it,” he said. “It is an intimate place to perform.”

Toast comedy opens crisply

To view the complete photo gallery of Friday Nights @ Toast, click here.

by Peter Yezukevich

A new tradition in Union Square continued its inaugural festivities June 25 with the first comedy part of the Somerville News @ Toast series.

Hosted by local comedian Baratunde R. Thurston, the show lured a healthy crowd of fans, friends, and curious onlookers out to enjoy an evening of laughs while imbibing the array of spirits Toast had to offer. The crowd was treated to a dizzying display of assured comic voices, five sets in the span of an hour. The impressively diverse mix came courtesy of Baratunde, who took over booking and hosting duties for the show a few weeks ago, and who obviously relished the idea of molding his own comedy room.

“Tonight’s line-up, I hand-picked them,” said Baratunde, before the show. “This is not an open mic. I tried to get different edges represented in this show. No one is really like another comic here tonight.”