Boston's Best One-Person Shows This November
Traditionally, a one-person show is a comedy act, even if it is a play of sorts. The genre has become more flexible to include acts like magicians and storytellers, but it is still dominated by people who make us laugh. Thankfully, Boston has a lot of those along with venues that enjoy hosting them. This November, see performers who can dominate the stage on the merits of their acts alone. Whether it is big stars or up-and-comers, there is a lot happening in the city.
Bill Cosby
The Wilbur
246 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 248-9700
www.thewilburtheatre.com
Date: Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2013
Bill Cosby has been making America laugh with his family-oriented comedy for decades. He is one of the classics and Boston is lucky enough to have him for two days. He is a man of many talents, from selling pudding to making one of the most successful sitcoms in history, but Cosby's standup remains the best tool in his arsenal of comedy. His expressiveness, relatability and friendliness will keep guests laughing through all four of his shows at The Wilbur.
Lisa Landry
Nick's Comedy Stop
100 Warrenton St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 830-2551
www.nickscomedystop.com
Date: Nov. 29 and 30, 2013
Lisa Landry, while a great on the club circuit, has appeared on talk shows and even had her own Comedy Central special. She is from Louisiana, so guests can expect some small town, down-home comedy. She has been in New York for many years, so it is not exactly blue collar, either. She makes no excuses for her forward personality to great comedic effect. Everything from her timing to the way she slips between southern and northern accents endears her to her audience.
Related: Best Comedy Clubs in Boston
Ivan Amodei
Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers
50 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
(800) 225-2008
www.bostonparkplaza.com
Date: Nov. 29 and 30, 2013
Ivan Amodei is used to performing for wealthy clientele and his show reflects the decadence that he clearly seeks. That being said, his show is tasteful, funny, exciting and appropriate for audience members of all ages. These Boston performances would make for great family nights, dates and even friends' nights out. Accompanied only by his assistant when necessary and a cellist who has naught to do with Amodei's magic, this is a classic one-man show.
Comics Come Home 19 - Denis Leary
Agganis Arena
925 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 358-7000
www.agganisarena.com
Date: Nov. 16, 2013
Comics Come Home 19 is not all about Denis Leary, but rather is a set of solo standup acts meant to raise money and awareness for The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care. Guests will get to see Bostonian Leary perform, as well as Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Fallon and many more. Comedy fans will not want to miss all of these great comics under one roof for such a great cause. It is the longest running comedy benefit in the country, so come be a part of history.
Juston McKinney
Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre
265 Tremont St.
Boston, MA, 02116
(617) 482-9393
www.citicenter.org
Date: Nov. 9, 2013
Juston McKinney is a New England native and former police officer. His transition from cop to comic has been a quite successful one. With two Comedy Central specials, several talk show appearances and a successful club history, he does not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. He has worked with the guys of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and is even in talks for his own sitcom. Comedy lovers cannot go wrong with this already risen star that is still climbing.
Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
