Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe may be a native of Youngstown, Ohio, but his ability to feed off the energy of Boston’s “edgy” comedy crowds, as he describes them, has pushed him to become a better performer since his last visit here last fall. So much so, that he is returning the favor by bringing his own energy — a Monster energy, to be exact — back to the city this summer.
A product of the world-famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles and host of the hit podcast Kill Tony, Hinchcliffe brings his Monster Energy Breakout Tour to The Sinclair in Cambridge this Sunday (August 27), and he’s bringing his best arsenal of new material, social commentary, and new perspectives with him — along with his unbridled ability to push boundaries.
“I get to do something that not a lot of other comedians get to do, with my take on current events like North Korea and Donald Trump, or even just stories from my own life, because I’m not limited to being on The Tonight Show, or Conan, or having to be clean on cable,” Hinchcliffe says during a recent chat with Vanyaland.
“So basically, I get to say or do whatever I want,” he adds. “Not in an over-the-top way, but in a way that can make people talk, and that people can relate to the material.”
Hinchcliffe’s disdain for “shock value” comedy has equipped him with a confidence that enables him to execute strategic, intelligent comedy, and that has helped him evolve into one of stand-up’s most sought-after acts.
If, by chance, you’d rather use the season finale of Game of Thrones as an excuse to pass on the show that night, don’t fret! Not only does Hinchcliffe fully support and understand your reasoning, but your chance for redemption comes when he returns to the area to perform Kill Tony live at the Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville on September 22 as part of the Boston Comedy Festival.
“Boston and I, and the rest of the area, we get along,” says Hinchcliffe. “They like the hard and extreme, and so do I. In a way, I have a bit of bitter East Coast guy in my heart, so I’m excited to experience that tough, edgy Massachusetts vibe again.”
TONY HINCHCLIFFE + JEREMIAH WATKINS :: Sunday, August 27 at The Sinclair, 52 Church St. in Cambridge, MA :: 8 p.m., 18-plus, $23 in advance and $25 day of show :: Bowery Boston event page :: Advance tickets :: Facebook event page
