Beloved Boston Comic Jimmy Tingle Brings ‘Humor For Humanity’ Back To Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Boston comedian Jimmy Tingle is coming back to Portsmouth on Saturday for two shows at the Music Hall Lounge.

Tingle, who has been performing for more than four decades, mixes political humor, laughs about life, and now, his takes on the post-pandemic world, like no other comedian in the nation, never mind New England.

Tickets are $35 and $45, with two shows, one at 5:30 and another at 8:30 p.m.

Patch asked Tingle 5 Questions about his comedy, the past, and 2023.

First, Happy New Year to you. Can you tell us your resolution for 2023, if you’ve broken it yet, and a few things you want to accomplish this year?

My NY resolution in the short term is to finish and release a film I started in 2020 during the pandemic. It is a hybrid project-part stand-up special, part documentary "Jimmy Tingle: Why would a comedian run for office?" based on my 2018 run for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts.

“Humor for Humanity” has been a focus of yours, on many levels, for a while now — from fundraisers for good causes you support to even your content, deriving humor from the frailties of life, sometimes. How did you come up with this concept?

Humor for Humanity was a way to formalize the fundraising and activism work I have been doing for many years. I came up with the idea of Humor for Humanity at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government while a graduate student there in 2010. Mission statement: Humor for Humanity: More than entertainment! A social enterprise that raises spirits, funds, and awareness for nonprofits and social causes through my work as a comedian, emcee, and auctioneer. Humor and Helping. Humor and Healing. Humor and Hope! Our mission is your mission.

For about a year now, you have hosted “the Jimmy Tingle Show,” a podcast that is available on several services. What made you decide to venture into this medium?

I wanted to create a media platform as an exercise to host my own show as well as highlight the "Humor for Humanity" nonprofits and people we were partnering with.

The Ding Ho Comedy Reunion show you put together as a fundraiser for Helen Crimmins was great — especially for some folks who were not venturing out in late 2020. Have you thought about following up on this, maybe a big show with a handful of comedians? Those times seemed so close-knit, while today, many things are quite separated and fragmented (bookings, places for gigs, etc.). Or maybe that isn’t accurate? What is the state of comedy in 2023?

Yes, I will be following up with the Ding Ho Reunion Fundraiser, but I'm not exactly sure when or what the format will look like. Really glad you liked it. What a blast! Not only was it a fundraiser and reunion, but it was a memorial and tribute to my friend, mentor, and founder of the Ding Ho, Barry Crimmins, RIP. The state of comedy just keeps getting better and better, from what I can see. Young, smart, original voices everywhere. It's really great!

You have two shows in Portsmouth on Saturday. Can you give readers an idea of what they will experience beyond laughing their asses off?

Here is the show description: Jimmy Tingle Live! Humor For Humanity. Comedian, podcaster, and founder of Humor for Humanity, Jimmy Tingle mixes his funniest comedic hits and newest, post-pandemic bits to deliver the humor, hope, and humanity the world so desperately needs to start 2023 on a very funny and uplifting note. Jimmy will take us on a hilarious and soul-searching journey from his Cambridge roots as an aspiring comic and street performer during the 1980s to the Tonight Show, 60 Minutes II, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and a run for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts. Jimmy will speak to the challenges of the day with comedy, compassion, and common sense while delivering a very funny, passionate, and purpose-driven tour de force performance. If laughter is the best medicine, then Jimmy Tingle is the Surgeon General of political humor. He will make you laugh, think, and feel better. Just what the doctor ordered!

For more information about the show, visit the Music Hall calendar link. For more information about Tingle, check out his website.

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