Josh Gondelman secures comedy win for Boston

When it comes to comedy, Boston certainly knows how to put its money where its mouth is.

This past weekend, the city of Atlanta played host to the first-ever Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, where over forty comedians from across the country competed for a prestigious cash prize and the chance to perform nationally – and as one would expect, Boston was well-represented. Hometown boys Jason Marcus, Josh Gondelman, and Sean Wilkinson were each selected as semi-finalists in the festival’s inaugural year, which was held on behalf of The Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation.

But it was Brandeis University alum Josh Gondelman who not only advanced to Saturday night’s finals, but also took home the first place prize (a moment which Jason Marcus was quick to capture for us here). He won the $1000 cash prize, spots in The Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival (June 10-13) and the 4th Annual Laugh Your Ashville Off Comedy Festival (July 15-17), as well as amazing exposure and at least six months work from bookers from around the country.

Gondelman, a preschool teacher and all-around good guy, began his stand-up career just over five years ago by performing once a week in and around Boston and has been a local favorite ever since – and with his sharp, honest wit and good-natured storytelling, it’s easy to see why he was tapped to fill the hosting shoes of Myq Kaplan each Monday night at Sally O’Brien’s famed open mic night.

And the good-guy persona is more than just a shtick – Gondelman is involved in a major fundraising effort taking place this spring in Boston called the Greater Boston Comedy Relay, a season-long series of comedy shows to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Massachusetts.

“Comedy is the most fun job,” Gondelman states, “and it feels good to do it in a way where it benefits others. When I was a kid, I lost an uncle to cancer, and my greatest disappointment about standup is that he never got to see me perform. This is a great cause, and I'm more than happy to contribute to it in any way I can!”

You can catch Josh Gondelman performing live this Friday and Saturday night at Dick’s Beantown Comedy Vault at Remington’s (124 Boylston St., Boston), along with Clay Miles and Karl Zahn. Gondelman also returns to the Vault on Wednesday, March 24 to kick off the Greater Boston Comedy Relay along with Paul Nardizzi, Mike Koutrobis and more!

For more information on the Greater Boston Comedy Relay, visit the GBCR Facebook page. To find out how you can get involved in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org or contact the Boston Comedy Scene Examiner for detailed information on Relay For Life in your community.