While some of our friends from other schools spent Monday night partying it up in Cancun, others spent it in a dimly-lit basement in snowy Somerville, and yet were far from being jealous: we were too busy laughing at decidedly un-PC anecdotes on AIDS, drunk driving, the crucifixion of Jesus and yes, even the Holocaust, courtesy of some of Boston's most talented up-and-coming comedians at Jimmy Tingle's Off Broadway (JTOB.)
A linoleum labyrinth takes you down to the subterranean stage that is JTOB. Though the theater can sit up to 200 patrons, it is an extremely intimate setting: the comics were less than eight feet away during the show, and the lack of a raised stage fostered the cozy, conversational feel of the performance. The performers had about eight minutes of stage time each, keeping the pace fast and always funny. It was refreshing not to be distressed by drink minimums or crammed into a seating arrangement better suited for sardines.
Located in Davis Square, JTOB was founded by Cambridge-born comic, actor and writer Jimmy Tingle in November of 2002. In addition to Monday's college comedy show, the venue hosts other laughter-filled nights like the all-woman standup series on Sundays, as well as a variety of other kinds of performances, including dramas, cabaret variety shows, live music, poetry readings and family-friendly fare. What's more, college students get their tickets to all shows at half-price.
Although Tingle originally came up with the idea for a college-themed night of comedy, he soon handed the reigns to Myq (born, and still pronounced, Mike) Kaplan, whom he felt was utterly qualified; he has been a college student for the past nine years.
Myq's talents are not limited to creative spelling, however. Originally entering the local performance scene as a musician five years ago, reactions to his funny lyrics helped him realize his comedic calling. Since then he has performed at comedy clubs and colleges all over New England, garnered praise at national festivals, been featured in this year's humor issue of The Improper Bostonian, and released a CD of his comedic material and musical stylings, appropriately entitled "Open Myq Night."
And, of course, Myq, now a fifth year BU graduate student, has served as the weekly host of JTOB's college comedy night since its debut on Feb. 21, opening the show and introducing all the performers. His observational humor and linguistic gags are delivered in an endearingly dorky deadpan, and his comic riffs are frequently punctuated with silly serenades, like his wife-beating ballad, all accompanied by his oddly-shaped guitar.
Myq has recruited talent from his contacts in the city's standup scene, word of mouth, and through advertisements on an online forum. And, although attendance has been less-than-stellar, he's quite happy with the level of talent displayed thus far.
"We've had really bad luck with snow storms, so turnout isn't what it might be, but we're definitely hoping to grow and build," he said.
The college theme is loosely interpreted, welcoming graduates, never-wents and drop-outs in addition to area coeds: this Monday's collegiate comics included an undergrad from BU, two from Brown, a professor from a local community college, a college basketball fan and a dude sporting a sweatshirt from the state school that rejected him.
Boston offers a number of comedy club experiences, including Faneuil Hall's Comedy Connection and Inman Square's ImprovBoston. The humble (and cheap!) Jimmy Tingle's, however, may be the best of the all.
The comics were eclectic and consistently amusing; the only low point was towards the end of the show, when the stage was overtaken by special guest group TBA, one of Brandeis University's improvisation teams. TBA proved why the guys on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" are so well-paid for their antics; their four improv games seemed to go on forever and weren't particular funny, causing my ADD date to squirm uncontrollably in his seat.
In this season when the campus takes on the appearance of a frozen arctic tundra, even the trek to Dewick can seem daunting, and an actual evening out beyond ambitious. But at just five dollars with a student ID, the college comedy night is well worth the short shuttle ride to Davis, especially since next Monday's show features Tufts performers - you just know we'll do way better than Brandeis.
