Turners Falls comedy show to support meals program

By JULIAN MENDOZA

Staff Writer

Published: 03-30-2023 1:17 PM

TURNERS FALLS — Nationally acclaimed comedian Jimmy Tingle’s standup show at the Shea Theater Arts Center on Saturday might be the most fun you have this weekend. All jokes aside, though, the show is also poised to help those who need more than just a good laugh.

The show, which will be held at 8 p.m., is part of Tingle’s Humor for Humanity series. The series serves “to raise spirits, funds and awareness for nonprofits and social causes through online and/or live events,” according to Tingle’s website. His stop in Turners Falls will benefit the Greenfield-based Franklin County Community Meals Program, a nonprofit that combats food insecurity.

“It’s unacceptable that the wealthiest country in the world has people who are food insecure,” Tingle said.

According to the event listing, Tingle, a Cambridge native, has enjoyed a career spanning three decades as a comedian, writer, actor, activist and entrepreneur. His resumé includes being a contributor and satirist for MSNBC, as well as appearances on “The Tonight Show,” CNN, “Larry King Weekend,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The American Comedy Awards” and his own HBO comedy special.

Trademark of Tingle’s comedy over the years have been sociopolitical subjects. He recalled his concern with social issues growing as he pursued a master’s degree in public administration through the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Surrounded by classmates who inspired him, Tingle conceptualized Humor for Humanity as a way to better “participate in social change.”

“I didn’t really want to stop performing, but I wanted to help,” said Tingle, who ran for lieutenant governor in 2018.

“The way he wants to use his comedy to help people is just really great,” said Shea Theater President Christopher “Monte” Belmonte.

Initially, Tingle was slated to do a standard comedy show at the Shea Theater, the comedian recalled. He then learned about the annual Monte’s March and Belmonte’s overarching commitment to fighting hunger, which prompted him to shift gears. The Shea Theater recommended the Franklin County Community Meals Program, which Tingle accepted as a great fit to benefit from the show’s proceeds.

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“Anybody who’s feeding anybody I’m all in for,” Tingle said. “I love to eat, and I know other people do, too.”

Joining Tingle Saturday night will be U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, a loyal fan. McGovern will take the stage to introduce Tingle, as well as speak about food insecurity.

“He’s been leading the charge in Congress for years,” Tingle said, praising McGovern for his work “in the trenches” fighting hunger on a policy level.

General admission tickets are $21 and can be purchased at showclix.com/event/jimmy-tingle-live-benefit-for-fccmp. Regardless of what motivates people to buy tickets, the night will simply be a great time, Tingle assured.

“I just want to let people know we’re going to have fun,” he said. “We’re going to have a lot of laughs and we’re just really going to enjoy ourselves … loving one another and having good experiences with one another.”

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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