Comedy always seems to make a comeback in economically challenging times. It is not that comedy has disappeared, but the circuit of standup comics seems to go up and down with the economy and in tough times a good night of laughter seems to be the best medicine. Certainly Interlochen Center for the Arts thinks so, as they welcome Paula Poundstone to Corson Auditorium this Friday. Poundstone is currently touring in support of her first ever comedy CD release I Heart Jokes: Paula Tells Them In Maine, and her book There Is Nothing In This Book I Meant To Say. She burst onto the comedy scene in the mid ‘80s after dropping out of high school. “There is a lot of misinformation out there about me dropping out of school to pursue a career in comedy. There was this parking lot that was calling my name that I wanted to hang out in,” said Poundstone. “I ended up getting a job bussing tables and one of the places in Boston decided to have open mic comedy nights. So one night I am bussing tables and the next night I was headlining the place as the comedian.” Poundstone moved to San Francisco and started performing at open mic comedy nights in California. Eventually, she started touring the comedy club circuit and in 1989, won the American Comedy Award for “Best Female Stand-Up Comic.” She started appearing on late night talk shows (Tonight Show, Letterman) and in 1990 had an HBO special. In 1992 she served as the political correspondent for the 1992 Presidential Campaign on the Tonight Show. Currently she appears as a regular panelist on NPR’s popular weekly news quiz show, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me.
ON THE SPOT Poundstone built her reputation as a comedian by her ability to interact spontaneously with the audience, creating comedy on the spot. “I developed this ability simply because I just can’t remember anything,” said Poundstone. “My act is autobiographical. I talk about my life, politics, things that interest me. Mostly I focus on my daily life.” Poundstone experienced some challenges both professionally and personally in 2001 when she was convicted of drunken driving and child endangerment. It was fodder for both the tabloids and mainstream media and she even used it for her material. “Not so much anymore. I did at the time because it was all over the headlines and I felt, who better to talk about it than me?” said Poundstone. “But that is old news and I prefer to talk and make light of things that are currently going on in my life and the world around me.” What is currently going on is that Poundstone has been named the 2009 National Spokesperson for (ALTAFF), the Association of Library Trustees Advocates Friends & Foundations, a national network of enthusiastic supporters who believe in the importance of libraries as the social and intellectual centers of communities and campuses. “It’s funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women,” said Poundstone. “The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers, and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed. If you haven’t been to your library lately, you’re over-due.”
PARTNERS Poundstone is taking her responsibilities serious and is partnering with local Friends of Libraries organizations during her tour. She is partnering with ALTAFF supporters of The Interlochen Public Library, who will sell her book for which they will receive a percentage of the proceeds. Poundstone will make herself available for a book signing after the show. As for her first ever CD release, Poundstone is happy with the reception. “As a kid I grew up listening to George Carlin records and my parents had every Bill Cosby record, so this is cool,” said Poundstone. “I think it is hard because comedy acts like mine, is best experienced live. But the response has been good, at least the posting to my Facebook has all been positive. One person wrote that they laughed so hard they almost drove off the road. I am not sure I like that, don’t want to be responsible for any accidents.”
Need some good laughs? Check out Paula Poundstone July 10 at Interlochen’s Corson Auditorium. Tickets are selling quickly and may be purchased online interlochen.org or by calling the box office at 800-681-5920. For a sampling of Poundstone’s comedic work search youtube.com. For details on her book and CD signing contact The Interlochen Public Library at 231-276-6767.
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