“The Nice Jewish Boys Show”

To Feature in The Boston Comedy Festival

By Susie Davidson

Advocate Correspondent

BOSTON - This past Friday, the third annual Boston Comedy Festival opened at Nick's Comedy Stop and Jacob Wirth Restaurant. The series, sponsored by AT&T Broadband, the Boston Herald, WROR (105.7 FM), Sam Adams Light, and Jacob Wirth Restaurant, among others, will run until May 11 and feature over national 220 comics in 55 shows, at 11 Boston-area venues.

Standup showcases, one-person shows, a vaudeville variety show, sketch and improv comedy, and a night of short films will be among the highlights of these two+ entertaining weeks.

Themes will also mark the festivities: "The Outer Edge Show," with edgy humor, will happen on May 8 and 9 at Dick Doherty's Comedy Vault at Remington's, Boston. "The Alternative Comedy Show" hits the Comedy Studio in Cambridge on May 10; Nick’s (May 10) and Remington’s (May 11) will feature all-star women's shows, and at the Emerald Isle in Dorchester, the "One if By Land Road Show" will be held on May 11.

In addition, and perhaps sorely needed in these times, “The Nice Jewish Boys Show” will set the Comedy Connection at Faneuil Hall in shpilkes on May 9 at 7 p.m. The show’s producer, local comic Adam Pearlman, has assembled a sure-to-please lineup including Gary Gulman (The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman), Bob Lazarus and Jon Fisch for this showcase, and will perform in it as well. Also appearing will be Hope Adams, Eric Shwartz and Dave Greenberg.

Pearlman, an upstate New York native, moved to Boston in 1998, soon after graduating from SUNY Buffalo. “I've been working in the Internet Industry since 1997,” he says, “a long time in the history of the Internet. I've worked for Internet consulting companies, as a freelancer, and for a product company.”

A net designer and developer, he follows his passions and interests. “I usually work standup comedian gigs in and around Boston,” he explains. “I also enjoy creative writing and creating short videos, which go along with the comedy. Additionally, I enjoy watching and playing sports, reading about physics and philosophy, chess, bass guitar and art. I also have an Atari 2600 collection of nearly 200 games - take that for what it's worth.”

The fest will also include a competition where 150 comedians will vie for a $10,000 Standup Comedy Contest. Last year's winner, Paul Nardizzi, has performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

The May 11 finals will be hosted by VH-1's James P. Connolly at the Comedy Connection at 6 p.m.; the Gala closing show at the Berklee Performance Center and hosted by Tony V., will occur later that night at 8:30. The Gala will feature performances from Lenny Clarke and Adam Ferrara (both from ABC's The Job) along with Eddie Brill (The Late Show with David Letterman), Brian Kiley (Late Night with Conan O'Brien), Patty Ross, Jim McCue, Al Ducharme, the standup contest winner, and morning hosts Loren & Wally from WROR (105.7 FM).

A portion of all ticket sales will benefit the Wings Foundation, set up to benefit families of the flight attendants and pilots of American Airlines. Approximately 15,000 patrons attended the festival last year, and more are expected this year. More comedians are being added in the final days.

"The biggest difference this year will be the industry presence," says Jim McCue, a comedian who is the co-producer of the event along with Boston City Councilor John Tobin. "We've made a big push in that direction. The event has grown both in numbers and in stature. The industry recognizes how much creativity, originality and talent we're bringing into the city, to the point where we're pushing to become one of the top five festivals in the country."

McCue has also recently assumed managing the Elm Street Theatre in Davis Square, Somerville, and is planning an exciting agenda for this new area performance venue.