Boston plans to show Judd Apatow a lot of love when his stand-up tour stops by the Wilbur Theatre next week.
The Boston Globe reports that Mayor Marty Walsh has declared Monday, July 24, Judd Apatow Day in honor of the comedian and filmmaker. Apatow is the latest star to get a dedicated day in Boston, as the city has celebrated everyone from Stan Lee and William Shatner to Patti Smith and Guster in recent years.
Since Boston is a such a big comedy town, the declaration makes sense considering Apatow’s contributions to the artform on film and television with hits like “Knocked Up,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Freaks and Geeks.” However, the 49-year-old comic is also being honored for his recent philanthropic efforts with the Greater Boston After School Arts Fund.
Apatow opened up about his motivations to get involved with the organization in an interview with Metro:
One of the best aspects of me doing stand-up at this stage of my life is that I can make a lot of the shows for charity. When I was coming to Boston and we were talking about adding a second show, I said, “Let’s do it for charity.” We talked to a bunch of organizations, and there’s the Greater Boston After School Arts Fund, that helps support art programs at Boston high schools. We need those more than anything. Arts programs change kids lives just as much as sports or anything else. They’re often the first department to get caught.
Proceeds from Apatow’s 10 p.m. performance at the Wilbur will benefit the arts fund.
If you can’t make it to the shows on Monday night, though, you can always celebrate Judd Apatow Day by binge watching “Freaks and Geeks.”
If you go:
July 24, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, $37-$52, thewilbur.com
