It’s been 10 years since Dan Boulger unleashed his first album, Not Ready For This, to the masses. Now, as he makes his way back to the stage to record what will ultimately become his very first special, he is confident in the fact that he is, in fact — with a full decade’s worth of road-worn comedy in his arsenal — ready for it this time.
Setting up shop at Deep Cuts in Medford tonight (October 11), the Norwood native and longtime Boston comedy crowd favorite is excited for the opportunity to capture this barrel-aged moment in his career. However, after more than two decades in the game, Boulger knows what he’s about when it comes to his approach to the stage, so he’s not letting the butterflies get to him as he closes in on even a big career milestone like this.
“I’m just trying to treat this special as much like just doing a normal set as I can,” Boulger tells Vanyaland. “I’ve been asked if I’m writing out a setlist for it, but I wouldn’t do that if I was doing just a regular show, so why do it now? I’m just going to treat it like every other show, and try not to think about it until I walk out on stage.”
That thought process and laidback approach has followed Boulger all over the country since he started doing stand-up during his first year of college in 2003, and it’s proven to be effective in a myriad of different high profile moment throughout his career, like capturing the Boston Comedy Festival comedy competition title in 2017, and his first set on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Most recently, he employed the same approach for a set he recorded with bustling comedy production brand Don’t Tell Comedy, and he’s quick to mention it’s one of his favorite sets he’s ever done.
As well, Boulger is just feeling a general sense of comfort in his sets, and while he’s not necessarily looking to retire any of the material he’s forged over the last 10 years with this special, he does want to take a moment to take a snapshot of his act up to this point in his career. In order to do that most effectively, Boulger has teamed up with his longtime friend, fellow comedian, and Whitman native Joe List to direct the show.
After receiving a text from List expressing his desire to return to the director’s chair and man the helm for a special with Boulger as the main focus, there wasn’t much to say “no” to, seeing as Boulger trusts List implicitly with his creative vision. Of course, they’ve tossed ideas back and forth as to how they can execute it, but at the end of the day, Boulger is just excited that he gets to work with one of his closest friends in the industry on such a huge project, while List gets another chance to flex that particular muscle again.
“I don’t know if it’s a full circle moment, or if Joe is just running circles around me, but he went to New York Film Academy, and I think this is really what he’s always wanted to do,” says Boulger. “Now he’s finally getting so many props for his comedy, and rightfully so, that he’s allowed to do it now, but I think this was always what he’s wanted to do. Nobody has checked more boxes than Joe, so it couldn’t be more well-deserved.”
Aside from the material he’s pulled from his vast catalog for this special, the next item of importance was the venue selection. Having recorded his album at The Rockwell all those years ago, Boulger thought about returning to the underground stage, but after participating as a guest for a live podcast at Deep Cuts in Medford and really the size and the overall vibe of the spot, he was sold.
“I originally figured I would do The Rockwell again, but I did a podcast at Deep Cuts a few months back, and the acoustics were great, and it’s also just a cool looking place with all the vinyls and pinball machines,” says Boulger. “It’s just a cool looking place, and with the folks at The Wilbur being involved with them, it’s great. I mean, all the clubs and venues around Boston have been great to me over the years, but The Wilbur in particular has always treated me so kindly.”
He’s made a fine career out of comedy, but when Boulger isn’t bringing the gas on stage, he spends his days as a history tour guide around Boston. Now, his two life passions don’t often intersect, but he has learned a thing or two from one that can utilized by the other.
Aside from the fact that, at least during a nor’easter, wet people from Denmark don’t give a shit about Paul Revere, Boulger has also learned to strengthen his gift of gab on stage by pumping out factoids to crowds of all sizes all over the city every day.
“I do think my job has helped me with comedy, specifically with crowd work,” says Boulger. “Anything where you’re talking a lot is going to make you better at talking, and while I haven’t had any jokes come from my experiences doing it, persay, it definitely makes you feel like more of an orator.”
The career trajectory of Boulger has been an interesting site to behold. While cementing his place in the regional fabric of a dense, historically rich comedy scene, he’s also made certain that folks at festivals and in clubs all over the country have gotten a proper taste of his brand of stand-up, which again, has only made him more prepared and confident for this moment in his career that effectively puts an exclamation point on the past 10 years of his journey – and he’s looking forward to feeling the love from the crowd as he carries on the way he always has on stage.
“I started in rooms like The Comedy Studio and Remington’s, so I’m very comfortable in that size room,” says Boulger. “I’ve been to venues where the back row is hundreds of feet away from you, and if you’re in the back of the room, you don’t even feel like you’re a part of it. So, I just think it’s going to be a very cool intimate space, and here’s to hoping the shows are great too.”
DAN BOULGER :: Sunday, October 11 at Deep Cuts, 21 Medford St. in Medford, MA :: 6 and 8 p.m., 18-plus, $34 :: Advance tickets