Comedian Sarah Silverman is set to make her debut at the annual Comics Come Home event on March 16, 2024, in Boston, bringing her unique humor back to the city where she began her stand-up career. The event, hosted by Denis Leary, will be held at the TD Garden and features notable guests including Conan O’Brien and Lenny Clarke. Proceeds from the evening benefit the Cam Neely Foundation, which supports pediatric and adult cancer patients and their families.
Silverman, who first took the stage as a teenager at the now-closed Stitches comedy club near Boston University, recalls the early days of her career. “My whole plan was, ‘I’m going to do an open mic,’” she told the Boston Herald. She was just 17, living in a dorm for summer classes, and managed to gather five minutes of material for her debut. “It was an open mic crowd so they were very nice, and my high school history teacher came so I was very excited,” Silverman recalled with a laugh.
Returning to Her Roots
Despite her deep connections to the area, Silverman has never performed at Comics Come Home before. She expressed enthusiasm about finally participating in the event this year, stating, “It’s a schlep, but whatever. I’d probably fly out there if Denis Leary asked me to mow his lawn because he’s a quality person.” She added, “I’m really happy to be a part of this because it’s been something that I’ve always been aware of.”
Leary has previously described Comics Come Home as a unique gathering for comedians, providing an opportunity to reconnect with friends and peers. Silverman echoed this sentiment, noting the bond shared among comics: “We live parallel lives and don’t see each other. For me, the joy is during the show and watching from the side, being backstage, catching up, kibitzing, gossiping. When comics are together, it’s always special.”
Anticipation and Performance
As for her performance, Silverman admits she is uncertain about what to expect. Having released two stand-up specials in the past three years, she feels a bit pressed for new material. “I’m at zero, (expletive) zero, with material,” she shared candidly. Despite the pressure, she knows she will perform a song requested by Leary, the absurdly funny ballad “Something to Tell You.”
For those interested in attending this special night of comedy and charity, tickets and further details are available at the Cam Neely Foundation website.
