Exclusive: A behind the scenes look at Comics Come Home

November 19, 2013 Matt Kleinschmidt Features, Photos

We’re psyched that we got the chance to team up with the awesome music/comedy/pop culture site Under The Gun Review for this pretty awesome feature where we were offered a backstage look at Comics Come Home up in Boston. Make it a point to visit the team over there at UTG daily, they’re awesome and their site is top notch.

Each year for the past 19 years Denis Leary has traveled to his hometown of Boston to put on a benefit show Comics Come Home. Leary and his production company Apostle team up with The Cam Neely Foundation and its various offshoots to raise money that will benefit cancer patients and their families. In its 19th turn, Comics Come Home boasted one of its largest lineups as Leary recruited Jimmy Fallon, Tracy Morgan, Tom Cotter, Lenny Clarke, Robert Kelly, Gary Gulman, John Mulaney and Kenny Rogerson to perform in front of a sold out crowd of 7,000 + people at the Agganis Arena. In a joint adventure, The Laugh Button and Under The Gun Review traveled to the Boston Arena and spent the day on scene with their cameras to document the night and give our readers an all access look at the action.

I’ve always wanted to travel to Comics Come Home. So when I finally got the opportunity there was no way I was going to miss it! It was a really down home and family friendly vibe, many of the comedians were not only Boston natives but traveled with loved ones all to support. Parents, spouses, children, and friends were all excited about the evening and mingled around backstage. Comics who were longtime friends and others who just met exchanged stories from the road or growing up in Boston. From Robert Kelly “confessing” to Jimmy Fallon that he switched their gift baskets at a college show 15 years ago; to Tracy Morgan demanding I walk on stage after him to take his picture, the night was full of incredible moments and being there to witness it was incredibly exciting. – Matt Kleinschmidt, The Laugh Button

[Show slideshow]

I have covered a number of concerts and festivals in my career, but photographing the 19th annual Comics Come Home was something special. The energy in the air was electric, and everyone participating seemed genuinely thrilled to have been included in the event. I tried to approach my efforts from the perspective of a fly on the wall, quietly capturing the bustling world around me without interfering with the natural progression of the evening, and I think the photos included in this post do a great job of capturing the best moments – seen and unseen – from the entire event. The comedy world is far tighter knit community than anyone could imagine, and for one special night I was included in the mix. I usually write at length about my projects, but this collection speaks for itself. I’m thankful for the experience and hope I’m invited back for 2014. – James Shotwell, Under The Gun Review