Press Release: Jimmy Tingle’s “20/20 Vision” at Cotuit Center for the Arts August 22

Jimmy Tingle returns to Cotuit Center for the Arts with his new one-man show, “20/20 Vision,” on Thursday, August 22, at 7:30 PM.

"20/20 Vision" is Tingle’s funny, thought-provoking, and hopeful look at contemporary life and politics through his experience as a comedian, commentator, activist, and political candidate. As the New York Times wrote, Jimmy Tingle is “more than comic wit…so cheerfully intelligent, he makes his audience optimistic in the face of reality.”

Born in Cambridge, Tingle got his start in the Boston comedy boom of the 1980s, the scene that spawned Steven Wright, Denis Leary, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Paula Poundstone.

Tingle grew up working class. That perspective–coupled to his Catholic background, particularly the social justice side of the faith–continues to be a major influence in Tingle’s life, politics, and worldview. The Boston Globe wrote: “If Robert De Niro had decided to be a comedian, he might have come out something like Tingle, with his off-center smile, blue-collar physicality, and exquisite sense of timing.”

Tingle brings a unique understanding of contemporary political issues to his humor. He is a graduate of UMASS Dartmouth and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government where he earned a master’s degree in public administration. He was the graduate school commencement speaker at Harvard graduation for his class of 2010. He was a serious candidate for Lt. Governor of Massachusetts in the 2018 primary, receiving 41.3% of the vote.

Tingle has delivered his political humor and social commentary on television, in movies, in print, and on stage. He wrote and delivered short wry commentaries for “60 Minutes II” on CBS. He was a contributor and satirist for MSNBC and has appeared on “The Tonight Show,” where he was introduced by Johnny Carson in 1988, CNN, “Larry King’s Weekend,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The American Comedy Awards,” as well as on his own HBO half-hour comedy special. He has been a guest on NPR’’s “Fresh Air with Terry Gross,” and has appeared regularly on “Heat” with John Hockenberry.

Tingle also had a memorable cameo appearance in the first episode of the final season of Veep with Julia Louise-Dreyfus (HBO, 2019)’

He has produced several comedic and theatrical productions including “Jimmy Tingle’s Uncommon Sense” at the storied Hasty Pudding Theater at Harvard, which became the longest running one person show in that theater’s history. Other productions include “Jimmy Tingle for President—The Funniest campaign in History” and “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream.”

He has appeared in several documentary films including “Damned in the USA,” “America with the Top Down,” “When Stand Up Stood Out,” “Call Me Lucky,” directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, and “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream,” which Tingle wrote and produced and was directed by Vincent Straggas.

Tingle’s feature film work includes “Next Stop Wonderland,” “Boondock Saints,” “Head of State,” starring Chris Rock, and “Clear History,” starring Larry David.

Tingle has the rare distinction of winning Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston” in the stand-up comedy category and for best alternative theater as the producer and artistic director of Jimmy Tingle’s OFF BROADWAY Theater in Somerville.

Tingle’s newest venture is “Humor for Humanity,” a social enterprise and solo show through which he aspires to “raise spirits, funds, and awareness” for social causes by using humor “for purposes beyond entertainment and help make meaningful change in the world.”

Ticket are $35, $30 for balcony seating. There is a $5 discount for members.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit artsonthecape.org or call 508-428-0669. Cotuit Center for the Arts is at 4404 Route 28 in Cotuit.

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What:

Jimmy Tingle’s “20/20 Vision”

Where:

Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Route 28, Cotuit

When:

Thursday, August 22, 7:30 PM.

Admission:

$35, $30 for balcony seating. $5 discount for members, $2 discount for seniors and veterans.

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