Seeing Sarah Silverman

Last night I attended Sarah Silverman's show at the River Rock Casino. She was pretty funny, although about half of the material she was giving us was recycled from previous shows. For instance, if you've seen her DVD Jesus Is Magic, then you'll recognize 50% of the jokes that she told last night, not to mention most of the songs that she sang (Jews Driving German Cars, You're Gonna Die Soon, etc). In that respect, the show was disappointing. I came to see her do new material, not something I've already watched.

In terms of joke-telling, she more or less stumbles through stories until something strikes her or your funny bone. She's not like a classic comedian who has the punchlines ready to go, and can sometimes come off a bit rambling. She wound her way here and there and back again, going off on tangents and probably being as annoyed as I was at all the STUPID PEOPLE who kept getting up and out of their seats during the program!! WTF, Vancouver!? Go to the washroom before you come to the show!! OY! I was embarassed for our city. (This also happened at Margaret Cho, too!) Do people have small bladders or something?

Anyway, it was a fun evening and her opening act had awkward/uncomfortable jokes as well, which I thought were fantastic! I didn't laugh uncontrollably like I did at Margaret Cho's show, but it was a different type of comedy - darker, politically incorrect, and a bit more intelligent (which explains why the annoying woman in front of me who kept talking didn't quite "get" it)!

We Are Beautiful, No Matter What They Say...

I just got back from the Margaret Cho "Beautiful" show and it was downright hysterical! She's got her groove back! It was a lot lighter than her other tours, which seemed to come off pretty heavy and full of moral teachings. This had its messages of love and peace but the laughter far outweighed the preaching.

Opening act Liam Sullivan was good too, starting off his set with a song from Aunt Susan, Kelly's lesbian relative. This was followed by a new video not yet uploaded to YouTube and then a screening of "Let Me Borrow That Top." He then came out as Kelly and performed "Shoes" live, which was great but for those who have never seen the video might not have gotten.



I managed to snag an interview with Liam last week and get it published over in the Westender. I actually secured the interview before securing a publication for it. I wanted the chance to talk to him that I was willing to put the cart before the horse! Thankfully, after pitching the piece to 3 separate newspapers, one finally responded and said yes at the very last minute.

If the Beautiful tour comes by your city, do check it out if you're looking for a fun night out. You are guaranteed a laugh!

Into The Woods

Today I celebrated World Theatre Day by going out and catching the local production of Sondheim's Into the Woods, playing until the 29th at The Cultch. I am not a fan of Stephen Sondheim's work, which I've talked about on here time and time again. However, for a Sondheim musical, this is probably the one that I actually enjoyed the most! Music wise it did nothing for me. His work on the Dick Tracy soundtrack is light years better than all his other stuff, in my opinion and not just because Madonna is in it. However, the show itself was very fun and entertaining and even funny.

And for a community theatre group? This was a full fledged musical! The cast was larger than 5 and they could all actually sing! Who knew? Broadway, eat your heart out! The set was simple but it worked. If you've got time this weekend, catch Into The Woods at The Cultch, which is a cool old theatre off Venables that has an upper balcony that's cramped but fun in that New York City kind of way.

Interview with Margaret Cho

Hey, my interview with Margaret Cho is in this week's Georgia Straight! She was a lot more upbeat this time around when I interviewed her. A few years ago I talked with her and she was quieter and more soft spoken. This time though, she was laughing and more spirited, though she is still pretty quiet compared to her on stage persona.



We talked about her tattoos and how straight guys are the new fag hags. Check it out online here!

Margaret's coming to town next Friday with her Beautiful tour. Her opening act is Liam Sullivan (of Kelly/"shoes" fame!) I snagged an interview with Liam as well and am currently waiting to hear back from a local paper to see if they will run the piece...

Author Reading : Alexis Kienlen

Author Alexis Kienlen will be in town on Wednesday night reading from her book of poetry, She Dreams In Red. It takes place from 7pm - 9pm at Radha House (728Main Street).

Alexis often comments on my blog, and some of you may already know her as Blue Lotus. Check out her reading on Wednesday night!

OH. MY. SPICE!!!!

YES we were THAT close!! I just got back from the Spice Girls and OMFG I absolutely had an AMAZING TIME!!! Opening night in Vancouver!!! SOOOOOOOOO F'N GOOD!!!!! Will write more later, but right now, I am 20 again!!! Stop right now, thank you very much!!

Kathy Griffin and Special Guests...

Kathy Griffin rocked the house last night here in Vancouver at the RiverRock Casino!



She was downright hilarious and had everyone rolling in the aisles!

Before heading in, we spotted Dan Ackroyd outside the casino getting out of his car. Looking a bit pudgy, it was still him though. He is in town with John Belushi doing their Blues Brothers act tonight.

However, what may have stolen the show was when she started talking about meeting strong women who have survived so much in their lifetimes... "And in Season One, we tried to meet this lady. I was thrilled to have finally met her last night, and this evening she is here in the audience and I just want to say hi. Please put the spotlight on her... everybody, an amazing lady... Miss... LIZA MINELLI!!!"



The spotlight beamed down, RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! Liza Minelli was sitting one row directly in front of us!!! I could have leaned over and touched her if I wanted to! OMG!! And she looked great. She's lost a bunch of weight, and was smiling and laughing throughout the rest of the show. She did look a bit frail though, and people had to help her up and down the stairs. However, that was truly shocking and amazing.

Liza was at the casino doing 3 performances this past week, so it was awesome she stuck around for Kathy Griffin. With the number of feygellahs in the crowd, you can't even imagine how distracted we all were once we realized she was there. It was definitely, definitely, a special night to remember!!