Comedian / Writer / Scamp
Steve Calechman’s fifth grade teacher changed the course
of history. On his report card she said that he had “an excellent use of humor
but his map of Norway needs work.” While difficult to handle, Steve decided to give up
on a career in geography, but he began to consider a life in comedy for the
first time. Aside from annoying classmates, Steve didn’t do anything until two
years later, when in 1981 he played his first big and still best paying show at
his bar mitzvah. His set was tight. The three-piece powder blue suit was sharp.
And the rabbi had trouble following him. Steve imagined that one day it might be
worth driving for hours to roadside bars, VFW halls, and even a zoo, to try and
recapture the thrill.
It wasn’t until 1991, a year after graduating from the
University of Wisconsin, that Steve decided to completely disappoint his parents
by embarking on dual careers – low-paying comedian and low-paying journalist.
Both found him stuck in near-empty rooms late at night. As a comedian, at least
he could do the droning on about traffic patterns. Things have since improved.
He’s told jokes at the Roman Coliseum and into Elvis
Presley’s microphone. He’s auctioned off pinball machines and been spanked
by a Hollywood actress – all in the name of charity. He’s emceed the Boston
Jewish Film Festival’s Fiddler on the Roof sing-along. He's appeared in
The Proposal with Sandra Bullock. He’s shilled
couches, mashed potatoes and the weather in commercials. He’s been named a comic on
the verge of breaking out by The Boston Globe. And in the most direct
approach to revisiting his glory days, he’s performed at numerous temples
where dinner has usually been chicken. And everywhere he’s been, people have
found him, if not extraordinarily funny then at least mildly competent.
The journalism career has also grown, allowing Steve to
combine his reporting and comedy skills. He’s a contributing editor for Men’s
Health. While he hasn’t made it to the chest-shaving beat, he has written
about the difference between a sweet potato and a yam, the consequences of
objecting at a wedding, and how to get a song out of your head. He’s working
on making this into a musical, except for the getting the song out of your head
part, since that would be counterproductive.
Steve's
also proud
to say that he didn’t abandon his early love for geography. He knows all 42
state capitals.
If
you would like to hire Steve for a show or event or be put on his mailing list,
feel free to contact him.
In
Other News:
About to enter my fifth season, I'm the announcer for the Boston
Lobsters tennis team. Along
with the sponsor requirements, I explain the rules, help people lose their
inhibitions and give the players nicknames as part of their introductions. For
Martina Navratilova, it was Top Cat. Matches are at the Ferncroft Country
Club in Danvers. You get to cheer, yell, and dance if you're so inclined. It's a
good time for all ages and you should come and experience it, but wait for the
summer when the actual matches are happening. It's more productive that
way.
Breaking News:
I was just
featured in the Northshore
magazine for my Lobsters work.
Comedians
worth checking out:
And
special thanks to:
Geoffrey
James, a fine writer who helped put this site together.
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