A Memorable Night with America’s Most Original Comedian
This past weekend, I had the privilege of meeting Paula Poundstone, my favorite comedian. The occasion was her show at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton, Mass., where she regaled the audience for several hours with her distinctive brand of wry, intelligent and witty comedy. I woke up laughing the next morning.
For material, Ms. Poundstone draws on her own complex life: three kids, 13 cats, motherhood, a somewhat incongruous role on National Public Radio, a demanding job and crazy travel schedule, her frustration at getting older, and a bag of neuroses, including her famous inability to ever shut up.
In other words: she’s just like many of us.
Just like many of us except for a lightning-fast wit and amazing improvisational capabilities. Part of the fun was watching Ms. Poundstone engage various audience members in a humorous grilling about their jobs. She manages to gently make fun of people and some of the nutty things we do for money, without demeaning anyone. Ditto making gentle fun of the community of Northampton, observing that it may be the only place in America where people have a choice of two stores where they can buy skirts made from twigs. She has a rare talent.
Meanwhile, she skewers things that demand skewering, including: CNN, the public school system, the state of California, the airlines, the “healing arts,” childrearing experts, Barbara Walters, Nancy Grace, and the health care bill.
Ms. Poundstone has published a book, There is Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say, and a CD of a recent performance in Maine, “I [Heart] Jokes: Paula Tells Them In Maine.” Both are a hoot and well worth the money.
After the show, she met with anyone who wanted to meet with her, saying “you don’t have to buy my book or CD, come by even if you just want to say hello or take a picture.” She happily signed autographs for a few hours and posed for pictures, even though she was clearly tired. A refreshing anti-celebrity: warm, gracious, genuine.
If you like intelligent, philosophical comedy – of the George Carlin school – you’ll love Paula Poundstone. Check out a future performance. She typically performs in smaller venues, often in college towns.
It’s an inexpensive night out that will deliver priceless laughs and memories.
For material, Ms. Poundstone draws on her own complex life: three kids, 13 cats, motherhood, a somewhat incongruous role on National Public Radio, a demanding job and crazy travel schedule, her frustration at getting older, and a bag of neuroses, including her famous inability to ever shut up.
In other words: she’s just like many of us.
Just like many of us except for a lightning-fast wit and amazing improvisational capabilities. Part of the fun was watching Ms. Poundstone engage various audience members in a humorous grilling about their jobs. She manages to gently make fun of people and some of the nutty things we do for money, without demeaning anyone. Ditto making gentle fun of the community of Northampton, observing that it may be the only place in America where people have a choice of two stores where they can buy skirts made from twigs. She has a rare talent.
Meanwhile, she skewers things that demand skewering, including: CNN, the public school system, the state of California, the airlines, the “healing arts,” childrearing experts, Barbara Walters, Nancy Grace, and the health care bill.
Ms. Poundstone has published a book, There is Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say, and a CD of a recent performance in Maine, “I [Heart] Jokes: Paula Tells Them In Maine.” Both are a hoot and well worth the money.
After the show, she met with anyone who wanted to meet with her, saying “you don’t have to buy my book or CD, come by even if you just want to say hello or take a picture.” She happily signed autographs for a few hours and posed for pictures, even though she was clearly tired. A refreshing anti-celebrity: warm, gracious, genuine.
If you like intelligent, philosophical comedy – of the George Carlin school – you’ll love Paula Poundstone. Check out a future performance. She typically performs in smaller venues, often in college towns.
It’s an inexpensive night out that will deliver priceless laughs and memories.
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