Comedy will return once again to St. Pete Pride with the third installment of Laughter in Paradise at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 26, at the Tradewinds Resort on St. Pete Beach. This year, three of the stars of the film Laughing Matters…Next Gen will pump up the audience the day before the St. Pete Pride Street Festival and Promenade.
Amy Tee, Gloria Bigalow and Edison Apple have all worked together before and promise to bring their queer sense of comedy to the masses.
All three comedians have worked the LGBT circuit for several years and Tee has carved a niche as the “lesbian in the mainstream” through her honest look at her own lesbian life. Bigalow, who is relatively new to comedy, says her more laid back approach makes her comedy appropriate for just about any audience, gay or straight.
Tee and Bigalow, who just finished a lesbian comedy tour in Provincetown, caught up with Watermark to give us a glimpse of what to expect at the annual laugh fest. For more information, visit StPetePride.com.
WATERMARK: Have either of you been to the St. Petersburg area before?
Amy Tee: Yes. We were both there last fall for the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. That’s how I met the St. Pete Pride board and got Laughter in Paradise.
Gloria Bigalow: It’s really a delightful area. Everyone was so supportive and generous. It was a no-brainer to come back.
AT: I have to admit that I had a great time, but I barely left my hotel room. There was a lot of rain the weekend I was there, but I met someone who made indoor activities well worth the trip.
For those readers who may not have caught the film Laughing Matters…Next Gen, how would you describe your comedy styles?
AT: Other than that I’m hilarious, I’d say my comedy is really just about what’s going on in my life. I’m fairly newly single and I’m out there dating again. I was in a long term relationship—married and then divorced—so comedy is therapy for me. I enjoy talking about my sexcapades and as anyone who’s ever dated me knows, nothing is sacred. I tend to get myself into a little bit of trouble.
GB: I’m not sure how I’d describe my comedy. It’s not mean comedy and it’s not hurting anyone. I’m more of a matter-of-fact comedian. It’s a hanging-out-with-the-girls kind of thing. I’ve been told I do more of a social commentary delivery and I talk a lot about being black and being gay and being a woman and the things that affect me in society.
Since we’ve had a new president take office, I’ve heard comedians say it’s a little harder to do political humor.
GB: It’s a different kind of humor. And let me say, I’m really proud of President Obama for declaring June LGBT Pride month. I was wondering when he was going to say something about the gays. We have a lot of LGBT people in his administration and I think he’s going to be okay for us. I don’t think he’s going to go around saying “I’m going to support the gays; I’m going to support the gays.” But I look at it like with my mom. I don’t need her to say I love the gays, but I need her to support us. I need Obama to make sure we get health insurance and equality. Right now we can’t all get domestic partnerships. Fix that. Obama doesn’t have to carry a flag in our parade, and if he does, that’s great, but he needs to do the work.
Who would you say your comedic role models are?
AT: I’m a huge fan of Kathy Griffin and Sarah Silverman. But the ones I work with the most have the biggest influence on me. I adore Suzanne Westenhoefer. I think working with people like her and Gloria has really added to my creative push. It keeps the passion alive and keeps me passionate about what I do.
GB: I used to stay up late as a kid and watch Johnny Carson and I used to love Joan Rivers. I have always thought she was incredible. I think one of my favorite shows was Whoopi Goldberg’s special on HBO. Standup is not something I thought I’d ever do as a career. But when someone said, “Oh, you should do standup,” I thought “Okay, but what do I do?” A friend challenged me to write three minutes of material. I ended up writing a 10 minute set and I still use a lot of it.
What are you most looking forward to at St. Pete Pride?
AT: All three of us will be in the Promenade, and I’m really looking forward to that. I’ve never been in a parade. I now we’re doing the show, of course, the T-Dance and several other events. I’m excited to experience the entire weekend.
GB: I feel like I’ve finally arrived! I’m going to be in a parade. Pride season is my favorite time of year. It’s a chance to celebrate ourselves and our culture. I’m just delighted about being part of St. Pete Pride this year and we really do have a lot to celebrate in 2009.
WHAT: Laughter in paradise
WHO: Gloria Bigalow, Amy Tee and Edison Apple
WHERE: Tradewinds Resort, St. Pete Beach
TICKETS: $30-$50 at StPetePride.com
