Jimmy Tingle is taking his talents Off Broadway — not only in New York, but here in Somerville, where he’s taking over the lease of the current Elm Street Theater in Davis Square. The Cambridge-bred political and social humorist, satirist, and commentator plans to open the newly renovated, updated, and tuned-up theater space on November 8 under the name Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway.

" I’m a performer by trade, " says Tingle, " and I wondered if I’d be getting in over my head. But the momentum of everyone around, the current owner, the former leaseholder Larry Lee Lewis, and the Davis Square neighborhood, carried me into it. Everybody kept saying yes. " As the leaseholder, Tingle’s primary role, he says, is to " oversee what’s coming to the theater and make it as easy as possible for people and performers to see the space. " His own show, Jimmy Tingle in the Promised Land, will be the inaugural performance, opening on November 20 and running through New Year’s.

Promised Land is a one-man work in progress that will give audiences Tingle’s take on the world since September 11 with his trademark mix of humor and commentary. " It’s difficult to make the post-9/11 world humorous, " he says, " but because it’s difficult, people need it more. People need to laugh, even if it’s serious. " Theater affords Tingle the opportunity to be reflective, philosophical, and spiritual, something comedy clubs don’t always allow. " In theaters, comedians can be as funny or as serious as they want, " he says.

Although Tingle himself has a comedic bent, the spotlight of Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway will not fall on comedians alone. Tingle hopes the theater will host a variety of performances, including serious theater, stand-up, improv, dance, poetry, folk, and kids’ programs. " Not everything has to end in a punch line, " he says.

For performance inquiries, schedules, and ticket information, call (617) 591-1616.