Jimmy Tingle Coming to Ocean State Theatre, 9/20

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), the not-for-profit professional theatre company, which recently completed its third season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, along with the legendary comedy club, Catch A Rising Star, are proud to announce the appearance of comedian Jimmy Tingle at Ocean State Theatre for one performance only on Sunday, September 20 at 7:30pm.

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jimmy Tingle's career spans three decades as a comedian, writer, actor, activist and entrepreneur. He rose up from the Boston comedy boom of the '80s - the scene which spawned Denis Leary, Bobcat Goldthwait and Paula Poundstone.

He appeared for two seasons on "60 Minutes II" on CBS in the "Andy Rooney" spot as a less curmudgeonly, more exasperated, wry comic. He also worked as a contributor and satirist for MSNBC and has appeared on "The Tonight Show," CNN, "Larry King's Weekend," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The American Comedy Awards," and in his own HBO half-hour comedy special. In addition, he has been a guest on NPR's "Fresh Air with Terry Gross" and appeared regularly on "Heat" with John Hockenberry.

Tingle grew up in a working class family. That perspective - coupled with his Catholic background, particularly the social justice side of the faith - continues to be a major influence in his life, politics and worldview.

He has produced several comedic and theatrical productions including Jimmy Tingle's Uncommon Sense at the storied Hasty Pudding Theater at Harvard, which became the longest running one person show in that theater's history. He also wrote, produced and starred in his first documentary film Jimmy Tingle's American Dream, which aired on over 60 PBS affiliates. Other film credits include small roles in Larry David's Clear History, Chris Rock's Head of State, Next Stop, Wonderland, and Boondock Saints. He played himself in the International Emmy Award-winning documentary about arts censorship, Dammed in the USA.

Theatrical credits include writing, producing and starring in four one-person shows, all of which were directed by Larry Arrick: Jimmy Tingle's Uncommon Sense; The Promised Land; Jimmy Tingle's American Dream and Jimmy Tingle for President: The Funniest Campaign in History.

Tingle has the rare distinction of winning Boston magazine's "Best of Boston" awards in two different categories. He won as a performer in the "stand-up comedy" category and then the venue he founded in 2002, Jimmy Tingle's OFF BROADWAY, was named "best alternative theater." Tingle was artistic director-producer at the Somerville, Massachusetts theater through 2007.

Tingle continues to tour the country, performing, in theaters and for colleges, non-profit organizations, private parties and corporate clients.

Jimmy Tingle will be at Ocean State Theatre on Sunday, September 20 at 7:30 pm. Joining him as host, will be local comedian Frank O'Donnell. The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $40 for front section seating and $30 for all other seating and are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.