Boston's dearth of gay stand-up is no laughing matter
Boston's gay and lesbian community is one of the most vibrant in the country, and there's no lack of gay-friendly entertainment in Boston. Dance nights, DJ scenes, theater . . . only one thing's missing. Stand-up comedy.
Two Sundays ago, the Boston International Comedy & Movie Festival had to cancel its gay and lesbian ''Comedy on the Edge" show because of poor ticket sales.
Perhaps it got lost in a festival schedule that ran over a week and included nearly 50 shows. But it highlights the fact that there are no regular gay and lesbian comedy nights around town.
David Goulart, New England editor of Edge Boston, the publication that sponsored the event, was disappointed in the response, especially since he's seen the gay and lesbian community support many other forms of entertainment. While he doesn't see much progress in the stand-up scene, he thinks it might take one openly gay Boston comic to get things moving.
''I'm not sure I could name a gay or lesbian comic in the city of Boston who has a reputation or a following," he says. ''Maybe it's just that there hasn't been someone like an Ellen [DeGeneres] that's come out in Boston and said this is the type of comedy I'm doing, and started to create something that the gay and lesbian community can attach to."
The Boston comedy scene has diversified during the past decade, with more African-Americans, Asians, and women joining the scene. And obviously there are gay and lesbian comedians in Boston, but outside of the occasional benefit at Club Cafe, they rarely play on a bill together.
''Gay men and women have traditionally not been part of [stand-up in Boston]," says Loren King, arts editor of Bay Windows. ''Although I think a scene could easily develop, it seems we're being served just fine by groups such as the Theater Offensive, and some of the more out-there drag king and queen shows put on by [promoter] Aliza Shapiro." One local headliner asked not to be identified because he's not ''out" onstage. His act isn't about his sexual orientation, and he doesn't want to be stereotyped as a ''gay comic." When he tried more gay material in his act, it didn't fit.
''My gayness isn't my point of view, it's not the theme of my act," he says. ''I tried changing the theme, and it just didn't work. It's not so much a fear of people knowing that I'm gay, I just don't want to talk about it. This is business, you know?"
Amy Tee, who was to host the canceled festival show, talks about her six-year relationship with her partner and even her current divorce proceedings. She realizes not all gay comics will have gay material, but couldn't envision her act without it.
''If that's not who you are onstage, then why should you do it?" she says. ''But for me, it is who I am. It is who I'm talking about. I'm talking about going through my divorce right now onstage because it's where I'm finding my creativity."
Around Town
It's been 12 years since DJ Hazard's first CD, ''Lock Up the Planet When You Leave," became a cult favorite on the Dr. Demento show shortly before becoming a lost classic. Hazard himself has trouble coming up with a copy of that release, which is partly why he's finally finishing off his follow-up, ''El Hazardo Rides Again," with tapings tonight and tomorrow at the Comedy Studio. . . . Adam Ferrara plays the Comedy Connection tonight and tomorrow.
