The Lexington native’s career comes full circle (sort of) on Saturday night at the Somerville Theatre
The Boston Comedy Festival has made it the goal of its 20-year run to cast a spotlight on the new talent coming up in the stand-up game, but they’ve also made sure that they show some love for the ones who have been on the grind year after year, by way of their Comedian of the Year award. And come Saturday (November 16) at the Somerville Theatre, it’s Eugene Mirman’s turn.
Joining names like Gary Gulman, Marc Maron, Patty Ross, and Bill Burr as a recipient of the annual accolade, the Lexington native admits that while he would gladly accept the award in another city, it means even more coming from the city where he planted his comedy roots.
“It feels very nice to be recognized in this way, and it also feels nice that it’s happening at a hometown event,” Mirman tells Vanyaland. “I mean, I would also accept the award if it was given to me in a place like Cleveland, just to be clear.”
While the recognition doesn’t necessarily light a creative fire under him in any way going forward, the Bob’s Burgers actor is excited to take the stage at Somerville Theatre as part of the festival’s finale, both to relish in the moment of being given the award, and to also share the stage with one of his comedy idols, Emo Philllips, who will be receiving the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and also who Mirman attributes a significant amount of inspiration to starting his own path toward a career in comedy when he was young.
“Emo is a comedian that I loved growing up, and he’s sort of the one that really made me want to do stand-up comedy,” says Mirman. “So it’s very special for me, to be recognized for something at the same time as him.”
BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL FINALE :: Saturday, November 16 at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square in Somerville, MA :: 8:30 p.m., $30 :: Advance Tickets