From Radio to stand-up to Stage, this guy just keeps getting funnier
By Alex Kantarelis

It’s stating the obvious to say that Worcester has an abundance of established and up and coming talent that is giving the city a great name.  And with his combination of hard work, natural ability, and dedication to success, comedian and actor Stephen Donovan is in no small way helping to contribute to its growing presence as a go-to destination for entertainment of all kinds.

Donovan is currently known for his stand-up comedy and his acting.  He has been a staple in the comedy clubs of Boston and New York, achieving great success on the circuit but never forgetting that Worcester was and is his home base.  Locally, he became a celebrity co-hosting WXLO’s Zito and Jen in the Morning for 4 years.  He was the DJ’s scene-stealing sidekick and had people laughing out loud at their radios.  You may remember him from the giant advertisement on the bus.  He was the one hanging upside down.

The entertainment world where he now makes his home was always in Donovan’s path and on his radar, although it didn’t seem that way at first.  After graduating Syracuse University, the Massachusetts native began teaching Spanish to high school kids.  “It didn’t really stick. I knew I wasn’t doing [the students] justice, so that summer I moved to New York, and there was a chain of events where I met people that let me in to different areas, and brought me to try stand up,” he said.

Donovan always felt that he was destined to do comedy, but needed a little kick to get it started.  “Up until then, I had only done a little bit of improv, but never attempted to be a comedian.  My friends were sick of me talking about how I wanted to do stand up and was afraid, so they brought me to an open mic at Times Square, and I did it,” he said.  It was obvious to him that he was instantly addicted.  “It’s a drug you can’t buy on any street corner in the country,” he added.

Donovan considers himself incredibly lucky.  And rightfully so.  He has had quite the career.  For him, simply performing and doing comedy is all he needs in life.  It’s the perfect lifestyle for him.  “I’m a smart guy I guess, and there’s a bunch of different things that I’ve done, that I did well; but none of them felt that they fit as much as making people laugh,” he said.  Not only is it perfect for himself, but according to him, perfect for everyone.  When describing comedy as a profession he said, “Nobody loses.  I can make a lot of money as an oil guy, but it’s not great for the environment, and there are negatives that come from it.  If I have to tell a joke and you laugh at it, and somebody pays me to do it, that’s beautiful, everybody wins!”

Since leaving WXLO, he has been doing lots of shows all over the northeast.  A big moment for him was playing at the University of Notre Dame, a huge venue for a comedian.  Most recently, he was a part of the Black Explosion Tour, playing to primarily African American audiences.  For him, this was a mixed reaction from the crowd, who weren’t expecting a white comedian.  But the audience didn’t scare him.  “Sometimes they love me more than white audiences.  I’ll make jokes about racism and a black crowd will love it, but a white crowd is so uptight about approaching something like that,” he said.

While many of his gigs are in Boston and beyond, he still considers Worcester home base (for his comedy as well as his legendary haircuts courtesy of Charlie Cook). Hot off a New Year’s Eve show at the Crowne Plaze, Donovan is very happy with the direction Worcester is going and predicts a full comedy resurgence for the city. The addition of Dick Doherty’s comedy club is only the beginning.  He hopes that Worcester will continue to embrace the college crowd, to get the comedy buzz really going.  “It’s great that Worcester has a club for comedy now.  I think there could be more because of all the colleges around.  What kid doesn’t like stand up comedy.  It’s a universal language,” he said.

While comedy will always course strong though his veins, and he’s proven himself quite the radio personality, Donovan has been bitten by the acting bug and is now setting his sights on the stage.   Starting at the end of January, he’ll be starring in Shear Madness (the longest running non-musical in the history of American Theatre) at the Charles Playhouse.

With his positive attitude and overall love for his job(s), the only road is up for Donovan and his career.  Be on the lookout for Steve Donovan.  It’s a name you’ll want to remember.

For a complete schedule of Steve’s shows ~ or to book him for one yourself ~ go to www.stephendonovan.com