Alternative comedy is not an alternative to comedy
The Somerville News - May 09, 2008

By George P. Hassett

Brian Joyce was at a comedy show in Dublin but he was thinking of Davis Square. Joyce, who grew up on Pearson Avenue and went to St. Clement's elementary school in the city, said the “independent, boutique-style comedy festivals” he performed at and attended in Ireland inspired him to put on this weekend's Alternative Comedy Festival at the Somerville Theater.
“The festivals overseas are in small towns and villages and I always thought a Davis Square venue would fit perfectly [for such a festival]. It's a more intimate setting, there is less to separate the performer from the audience,” he said.

The festival is on Friday and Saturday at The Somerville Theater and features the pioneers and stars of “alternative comedy” - a kind of catch all phrase that Joyce said simply means comedians performing daring and inventive material.

“These are amazing comedians who bring bold, original ideas to the stage,” he said. They include Emo Philips, whom Jay Leno once called “the best joke writer in America” and is considered by many to be America's godfather of modern alternative comedy, cult favorites Todd Barry and Eugene Mirman and the bizarre doctor cocacolamcdonalds who has written 17 songs about Gene Hackman.   

Closing the festival on Saturday is Patton Oswalt the star of “Ratatouille” who has established himself as a national favorite, and Boston's own Walsh Brothers.