01.02.19
Article by Richard Duckett
WORCESTER — John Tobin once ran the room at the comedy club at the former Aku-Aku restaurant on East Central Street in the mid-1990s and was happy to do it. It was a commute from West Roxbury for Tobin, but comedy always had a big pull for the Boston native. Tobin’s first job in comedy was as a doorman at a comedy club. “I would have worked for free. I always loved comedy,” he said.
Along the way, he also dreamed of being mayor of Boston. That’s not a joke. Tobin was elected to five terms on the Boston City Council. He is first vice president for city and community affairs at Northeastern University. But Tobin has also established quite a big name for himself on the Boston comedy scene.
Now he’s heading west again, and it is a laughing matter. “Worcester’s a great comedy city,” Tobin said.
As the owner of John Tobin Presents, Tobin will be operating and booking acts at the WooHaHa! Comedy Club at 50 Franklin St., which is scheduled to open Jan. 18 with featured comedian Paul Mecurio (numerous appearances on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”). Meanwhile, Jan. 4 will see the debut of Roar! Comedy Club in the Armory at MGM Springfield, which John Tobin Presents will produce and book shows for. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. opens.
Among other comedy clubs John Tobin Presents also operates and books are Laugh Boston and Nick’s Comedy Stop in Boston, and The Comedy Scene at Patriot Place in Foxboro.
At WooHaHa! in the Grid District the 130-seat comedy club will be alongside the new Revolution Pie + Pint and Craft Table & Bar.