As a recording artist John’s 19,94 debut album Entering Marion got an Indie Award HM (the independent record labels’ Grammy) for Best Comedy Album. Many of his witty topical songs have been featured on NPR’s “Morning Edition.” His songs have been recorded by Christine Lavin, Judy Collins, Rosanne Cash and the late Dave Van Ronk, among many others. His song “Entering Marion” is included in Dr. Demento’s “50 Greatest Novelty Songs Of All Time.” John is also co-author of the children’s books “This Pretty Planet,” based on his song, as well as “The Backwards Birthday Party” (Atheneum) and the teen parody book “The BSAT Official Study Guide” (Running Press).
As a writer and producer of bright, sassy music for children John has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, most recently for the Tom Chapin album Some Assembly Required. Other children’s albums include Family Tree, This Pretty Planet, Billy The Squid and a dozen more. He has produced records for everyone from the Olsen Twins to the original “tot rock” band, Rosenshontz. John’s song “Sing Me The Story Of Your Day” was sung by Faith Hill on the 2006 Grammy-winning Thanks & Giving.
His musicals includes the regional theater favorite Eleanor-An American Love Story (licensed through Concord Theatricals) as well as “Into The Light” on Broadway and the Off Broadway revues “Pretzels” and “A Good Swift Kick.” His latest is “Mariel,” an Afro-Cuban immigration story commissioned by the Cincinnati Playhouse. His scores for young audiences include the perennial “How To Eat Like A Child,” one of the most widely produced children’s shows in the country (licensed through Concord Theatricals), as well as book and lyrics for Freaky Friday with composer Mary Rodgers.
“If Joni Mitchell and Daffy Duck had a love child, he’d probably write songs just like JOHN FORSTER. His sharply observed satires range from sheer slapstick to Jon Stewart acute.” -Scott Alarik (The Boston Globe)
“You don’t need me anymore. Now you’ve got John Forster to kick around.” -Tom Lehrer
Jimmy Tingle is a comedian, commentator, actor and the founder of Humor for Humanity. He was a 2018 candidate for Lt Governor of Massachusetts and received 41.3% of the vote in the Massachusetts primary on September 4th 2018.
He is a graduate of UMASS Dartmouth and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government where he earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA). He was the graduate school commencement speaker at Harvard graduation for the class of 2010.
He has worked as a humorist and commentator for 60 Minutes II and MSNBC and has appeared on The Tonight Show, CNN, Conan O’Brien, Fresh Air with Terry Gross and in his own HBO half-hour comedy special. He recently had a cameo appearance with Julia Louise-Dreyfus in the first episode of the last season of Veep on HBO.
Theatrical credits include writing, performing and producing several one-person shows including Uncommon Sense; Jimmy Tingle for President- The Funniest campaign in History and Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream. He has appeared in several documentaries films including Damned in the USA; America with the Top Down; When Stand up Stood Out; Call Me Lucky directed by Bobcat Goldthwait and Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream which Jimmy wrote and produced and directed by Vincent Straggas. Feature film work includes Next Stop Wonderland; Boondock Saints, Head of State starring Chris Rock and Clear History starring Larry David.
Tingle has the rare distinction of winning Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston” in the stand-up comedy category and for “best alternative theater” as the producer and artistic director of Jimmy Tingle’s OFF BROADWAY Theater in Somerville. He is the founder of a new social enterprise and solo show entitled “Humor for Humanity” which aspires to raise spirits, funds and awareness for nonprofits, charities and social causes.
Daft. Demented. #SNORT. Picture Tina Fey meets Bette Midler with Joan Jett guitar chops… and you’ve got Seattle’s Lisa Koch.
An irreverent lez singer/comedian, and sober chick, Koch (“Coke”) is a deliciously twisted mix of comedy, theater, and tunes. With 5 solo recordings, she was a member of loony sketch comedy duo, Dos Fallopia (My Breasts are Out of Control, Ham for the Holidays), and an alumnus of cult quartet Venus Envy (I’ll Be A Homo for Xmas). She has shared the stage with Steve Martin, Janis Ian, Lily Tomlin, The Indigo Girls, Mouths of Babes, Kate Clinton, and more. Koch has been featured on Olivia and LOGO, is the composer of Off-Broadway musical “27, Rue de Fleurus”, and is proud to report that one of her songs has actually been sampled by Jay-Z. Lisa brings to the stage her guitar, her wacky songs, and her musings on being a woman… from middle age to mammograms to singing vulvas.
For a sample of Lisa’s comedy, check out a clip from her live show HERE.
Cheryl Wheeler has to be seen to be appreciated. Nothing you read and nothing you hear from her album prepares you for how good a performer she is.
From her albums you can tell that she is a gifted songwriter with a beautiful voice. From other people’s comments about her you can learn that she is a natural story teller with a fantastic sense of humor. But until you see her in person, you never really believe what you’ve been told about her. Besides, almost half of the songs she does during her shows haven’t been recorded!
If you have never seen her do a live concert, then by all means do so! I get e-mail from people all the time thanking me for spreading the word about Cheryl. They go to the concert knowing they will enjoy it, and often find it even better than they had thought it would be. If she doesn’t ever perform near you, then buy her video and see what you are missing. Then make arrangements to be where she is performing soon.
