Mike Dorval has been a longtime presence on the Boston comedy scene, and since he revealed his lymphoma diagnosis last fall, the Boston comedy community has rallied around – first by exceeding the fundraising goal on a GoFundMe to pay for his care, and now by presenting a benefit show for him at The Comedy Studio.
Ahead of the Thursday benefit show I spoke with Tooky Kavanagh (Dorval’s co-host on the podcast “TDM: Total Dad Movies” and friend, and an area comedy mainstay) to learn more about its genesis and goals, and why Dorval has proven to be such a pillar of Boston comedy. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What unique quality does Mike bring to Boston comedy?
We’ve known each other for a good chunk of time. He’s a really good example of how to perform – he has an acting background too. You watch him onstage and you’re like, “This guy gets it.” He’s attuned to his audience, and he’s attuned to his material. There’s a lot of authenticity, and you can just tell that they come from a true and informed place. Even when it’s out there, or pushing a boundary.
When Mike was diagnosed, how did the GoFundMe come about?
Mike is a beloved guy. When he took a step back from stand-up, he was dearly missed. It was easy to get into action, and see what happens: It’s a testament to what a mensch Mike is that we got from the smallest to the biggest donations, we set a modest goal of $5,000 and quadrupled that goal. Which blows my mind, but it’s because people come through for people who come through for them – and Mike is just that kind of guy to have your back.
How has this show come about?
It came about through Mike’s friend Paula, who’s in the theater world and sprang into immediate action to “let’s put on a show.” It’s quintessential performer energy. Let’s perform. Let’s do what we do.
Mike and I have the connection of both having been a comic-in-residence in the first and second iterations of The Comedy Studio – which is a high honor for comics in the area. Because of Mike’s connection to the Studio, it made this an appropriate venue for the show. For so long the Studio had been a home club for Mike and I, and they’ve been so generous.
The goals for a show are typically clear: Make an audience laugh, and in this case also make money. What else would you like to see this show do?
This show is also a way to demonstrate that we can create space and create ways to support one another through adversity and good times. We just love Mike, and we want him to kick cancer’s ass. We want him to beat this, and there’s so much faith in him to do it, that we wouldn’t come together to do this if we didn’t think that it were possible. The community as a whole truly values this man and what he’s done for us.
Even though he’d taken a step back, his presence is still felt, and we want to make it known that this is what the Boston comedy community does. If we know that one of our own is up against any kind of battle, that we do come through for each other.
Stand Up for Mike is at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Comedy Studio, 5 John F. Kennedy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, with a lineup that features Kavanagh, Eugene Mirman, Jack Hall, Dan Boulger, Chris Post and more. $26.
The feature image on this post (not seen here) includes parts – the background to the right and part of Mike Dorval’s shoulder – that was created digitally and is not real. Dorval’s face and the rest of his body shown were photographed and are real.
A stronger
Please consider making a financial contribution to maintain, expand and improve Cambridge Day.
We are now a 501(c)3 nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible.
Please consider a recurring contribution.