World Premiere of Jimmy Tingle's New Film at the Regent in Arlington

Nationally recognized comedian, commentator, producer, and activist Jimmy Tingle’s new documentary, Jimmy Tingle: The “Radical” Middle—Why Would a Comedian Run for Office? will have its world premiere at the Regent Theatre in Arlington (7 Medford Street) on Sunday, September 22, at 6:00 PM followed by a seriously funny talk back with Tingle (doors open at
5:00). The event is the kickoff for Tingle’s “Humor for Humanity Whistle Stop Tour” featuring screenings and talkbacks across New England, inspired by this year’s presidential election.

The original and autobiographical 50-minute film features a compilation of Tingle’s stand-up performances, clips from his debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” his “60-Minutes II” commentary on Donald Trump in 2000, and at-home interviews. The film chronicles his fascinating transition from seasoned comedian to serious politician after receiving a master’s in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government (where he was his class’s commencement speaker). For his first—and so far, only—foray into politics, he ran a grassroots
campaign for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, where he earned an impressive 41.1% of the vote in the 2018 Democratic primary.

Although he isn’t running for office this election year, he aspires to contribute to the national dialogue in a hopeful, positive—and funny—way with his film. Through the healing power of humor, commentary, and conversation Tingle aims to challenge audiences to move beyond the
politics of tweets, sound bites, and the 24/7 news cycle and into the realm of long-term thinking and life-affirming possibility as the United States faces the election of 2024 with a myriad of emotions, passions and theories.

To date, additional shows on Tingle’s “Humor for Humanity Whistle Stop Tour” include:
September 26: Chatham Orpheum Theater, Chatham, MA (tickets)

September 27: Shea Theater Arts Center, Turner Falls, MA
October 4: MV Film Society, Martha’s Vineyard, MA (tickets)

October 19: The Park Theatre, Jaffrey, NH
November 14: Dreamland Film, Theatre & Cultural Center, Nantucket, MA

Comic friends Steven Wright and Paula Poundstone—both Boston natives—are big fans of the film, as is author and former Boston Globe columnist James Carroll. “Government matters! That’s why a comedian runs for office,” says Carroll. “Jimmy Tingle, with humor and cracking wit, uses common sense to protect the common good from those who would tear down its essential political structures. No joke. This is Tingle at his best.”

Tickets to the world premiere at the Regent Theatre are $20 in advance and $25 on day of show (plus service fees) and are available at bit.ly/JimmyTingle2024. For more information about Jimmy Tingle and the film, visit https://www.jimmytingle.com.