Join veteran arts journalist Nick Zaino as he explores Boston’s long history of comedy, from vaudeville to YouTube, highlighting some of the personalities that have defined laughter in America for 100 years on Monday, July 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Abbot Public Library.
Eva Tanguay found her calling as the Queen of Vaudeville in Holyoke. Fred Allen found inspiration at the Boston Public Library to start his vaudeville career. Bob and Ray started their radio run in Gloucester at WHDH. Rusty Warren and Tom Lehrer shocked crowds in song. Norm Crosby and Bill Dana played the swinging supper clubs. Jay Leno, Denis Leary, Paula Poundstone, Steven Wright, Janeane Garofalo, Conan O’Brien, Eugene Mirman, Mike Birbiglia, Bo Burnham, Chris Fleming, Sam Jay, Ziwe — all are part of the fabric of Boston comedy lore. Their history is a mirror of the history of American entertainment.
100 Years of Boston Comedy with Nick Zaino is a lecture and multimedia presentation followed by a lively Q&A session with the audience.
Registration is required. Please register at tinyurl.com/Boston-Comedy.
This program is sponsored by a grant from the Marblehead Cultural Council and Massachusetts Cultural Council.