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Sat. Dec. 4 In 2008, Jimmy Tingle ran for president. OK, he's a comic and his "run" was not exactly serious, but still, he said, comedy and edification were equal partners in his pursuit. “I’m trying to get both," he told JSInk. “First of all, I’m having fun, taking ideas and thoughts and putting them out there. I find it very cathartic. It’s libe rating. People are very open to ideas and looking at the world not so much in black and white, simply because of what’s transpired since Sept. 11, It’s been a life-changing thing, With the advent all the different mediums, there’s a lot of information going around, It’s a great time to think outside the box and really that’s what this is about, a way to present ideas and solutions with humor." Tingle - once the Andy Rooney of CBS' "60 Minutes II" - is a longtime Boston comic who's always valued issues. When times are tough – as they are now with the war and the shaky economy – there’s a theory that that sharpens the quality of art, including comedy.
"I don’t know,” Tingles said. "Probably when there’s a lot of activity it generates people thinking. And there’s definitely a lot of activity going on." Tingle is more identified with the left than the right, but he's not doctranaire. Is he controversial?
“I don’t consider it to be controversial,” said Tingle, “ but I’ll be talking about things no one else is – for example, in Iraq I wanted to get the people who have experience solving conflicts, in Africa in Northern Ireland, involved, include more spiritual leaders. It’s common sense, consistent for what we’re supposed to stand for. And if I use humor to do it beautiful."
On Saturday Dec. 4 at the Regent Theatre, Tingle embarks upon another "campaign." This show is called "Give US Your Poor: The Campaign to End Homelessness." It's a show of comedy and music. The featured band is the root-rock band the Wait. Also on the bill:" soul singing legend, Mighty Sam McClain, Jim Wooster (of the Courage Brothers) Greg Scapicchio, Eric Giordano (of Totally Inappropriate), and Scott Shetler of the Mighty Sam McClain Band. Tickets: $12. Show starts at 8. 7 Medford St., Arlington, 781-646-4849 www.regenttheatre.com |
