On April 26^th, 2013, celebrity comedian/political satirist JIMMY TINGLE (60 Minutes, Comedy Central, The Tonight Show…) is coming to Ayer-Shirley Regional High School with his “American Dream” tour.  Sponsored by Sorrento's Brick Oven Pizzeria of Acton, Concord and Harvard, this production will be a fundraiser for the dramatic arts in our schools, including enhancements to our forthcoming ‘new’ auditorium that are not covered as part of the state/town renovation project.

Says ASRHS Principal Brian Haas, "I think it's great that ASYD is bringing Tingle to Ayer.  We're very fortunate to have the film and show to use in our curriculum with the students, as well as having a celebrity coming to town to entertain parents and faculty, as well!  Mr. Tingle's generosity with his time and talent are truly appreciated helping to raise funds for our kids' arts endeavors." 

 In Act I of our evening, Jimmy Tingle’s “American Dream,” an award-winning documentary film and tour-de-force of comedy, commentary and conversation will be presented.  Some of America’s most iconic personalities and social critics, as well as family, friends and total strangers as they speak up and speak out on the American Dream - Howard Zinn, Robert Altman, Mort Sahl, Janeane Garafalo, Sean Hannity, Lewis Black, Margery Eagan, Jim Braude, Bobcat Goldthwaite, Sister Lena Divey, Al Franken, Robert Reich, Colin Quinn, Barry Crimmins, Jimmy’s mother Frances and more. The film’s underscore includes music by Willie Nelson,The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones, The Neighborhoods, and Jimmy Tingle on harmonica!  Care to watch a preview?

In between Acts, ASYD is VERY fortunate to have the newly opened local fine dining location Markoh's on Main (43 Main Street, Ayer) supporting our event by "tingling" audience members' taste buds with fresh, delicious appetizers/hors d'oeuvres during a Meet & Greet with Mr. Tingle.  So save room for a post-dinner treat!

In Act II, audiences will be treated to a fully audience interactive stand-up performance by Mr. Tingle, as he brings his intelligent, timely and – well, yeah – hysterical comedy to ASRHS’ auditorium!   We are VERY fortunate to have him as a guest.  And here’s the best part… this performance will be completely FREE for Ayer-Shirley Region students!  Mr. Tingle is coming to Ayer to raise funds for our students dramatic arts programs! 

"I'm really looking forward raising spirits, funds and awareness for the dramatic arts the Ayer/Shirley schools, says Tingle. "I LOVE that we can use my film 'American Dream,' along with a Q&A, a little comedy and expertise to help other people in the dramatic arts achieve their artistic goals." He continues, "The film is a self produced and self financed documentary about my 'dream' of becoming a stand-up comedian and making it onto National Television and eventually starting my own Theater and going back to school. I always enjoy the way the audiences get a kick out of the people we interview about what 'The American Dream' means to them - everyone from a homeless person to my Mother, to Oscar winners and other comedians. Our goal on April 26th is to raise a lot of money and help inspire the students and attendees to follow their own dreams and aspirations in the arts and beyond."

Also as part of our FUNdraising efforts, ASYD will be holding a raffle for some wonderful prizes, including gift certificates, show tickets and gift baskets from Billiards Cafe, Cains Foods, Kelley's Hallmark, The Medicine Shoppe, Donelan's Supermarkets, Indian Hill Music/Littleton, D.L. Dance, D'Ambrosio Eye Care/Lancaster, Blue Heron Northeast Promotion & Apparel/Leominster, Central Mass. Computing/Leominster, Global Fitness Center/Leominster, Orchard Hill Athletic Club/Lancaster, Mezcal Tequila Cantina/Leominster, Main Street Cafe/Groton, Buffalo Wild Wings/Leominster, Bailey's Bar & Grille/Townsend, Gondola Restaurant/Leominster, Lazy Mary's, Rye & Thyme/Leominster, Sunset Tiki Bar & Grill/Westford, Ixtapa Cantina/Lunenburg; NuBodi Massage/Fitchburg, Harvard Lanes, Acme Theater Productions/Maynard, Flyleaf Theater Productions/Berlin, Stratton Players/Fitchburg, Theatre at the Mount/Gardner, Theatre III/Acton, Theatre With a Twist/Acton, Worcester County Light Opera; Youtopia Day Spa, and... (drum roll, please...) a $200.00 room credit at the Cape Colony Inn in beautiful Provincetown (MA), courtesy of the Lexvest Group/Shirley! Tickets are $1 each; 6 for $5, and prizes will be added to our raffle straight up through our show! Keep an eye on this page for updates!  (If you would like to donate an item to our raffle, please drop a line!)

Jimmy Tingle’s “American Dream” will play at the Ayer-Shirley Regional High School Auditorium on April 26^th, 2013 at 7:00pm.  For more information on how you can support the production or to request tickets and/or more information, please call ASYD’s Drama Director JulieAnn Govang at (978) 772-2545 or email.  Would you like to receive a copy of the production flyer seen here?  Just send a note with your request and one can be emailed or mailed to you immediately!