Entertainment :: Culture
Ptown’s Vixen Unveils Summer Comedy Showcase by Sam Baltrusis
EDGE ContributorWednesday May 21, 2008When it comes to representation of female comics in the male-dominated stand-up comedy industry, Bill Colombo says he’s seen it all.
"I’m still stunned that funny women are a minority at most of the major clubs throughout the country," he says, sitting on a bench outside of the Purple Feather, a stone’s throw away from his new gig at Vixen Nightclub.
After working in the business on the West Coast for 25 years, Colombo believes that the women of comedy offer an important point of view that’s often overlooked by the mainstream.
"I find most women comics have tremendous cross-over potential, whether it’s straight culture or the gay and lesbian community, it doesn’t matter," Colombo emotes. "It’s their point of view that’s so strong, and so singular at the same time, that anyone can identify with what they’re talking about."
A former Los Angeles-based TV writer, an admitted "stage mom" and proud gay father of up-and-coming comedic talent Kaitlin Colombo, the 53-year-old Provincetown transplant says he was surprised to see some of the misogyny mirrored in the clubs and venues lining the gay-driven resort community’s main drag, Commercial Street.
Last summer (his first in Provincetown), Colombo claims he "witnessed firsthand all of the makings of the shows in this town and realized there is a tremendous void in need of filling."
Colombo continues, "There were more naked boys singing and drag acts than you could throw a high-heel at but comics were in short supply, especially female comics." (Editor’s note: the ratio between female to male stand-up comics in Provincetown during summer 2007 was roughly 75% - 25%)
"There were more naked boys singing and drag acts than you could throw a high-heel at but comics were in short supply, especially female comics." Vixen’s new talent booker says he’s enlisting some of the comedy world’s top female talent, including longtime Provincetown performers Sandra Bernhard, Paula Poundstone, Michele Balan, Judy Gold, as well as newcomers Lanie Kazan and Suzanne Whang. He’s calling the summer-long series, TITTERS!
Colombo’s daughter, Kaitlin, who was featured on Andy Dick’s MTV series "The Reality Show" and appeared on NBC’s "Last Comic Standing," will emcee the Vixen comedy showcase.
"I’ve been taking Kaitlin to auditions and meetings since she was 13 so I know a lot of these women on a professional level," he says. "We have some of the best comedic talent out there."
Rod Blacklock, owner of Vixen nightclub and the adjacent Pilgrim House Inn at 336 Commercial Street, echoes Colombo’s enthusiasm.
"It’s about time this town had real entertainment," he says. "We have real hotel rooms for $500 a night and real restaurants for $200 a piece but we don’t have a similar-caliber acts to go along with the other amenities."
Blacklock continues, "It was exciting when Bill agreed to bring in these first-rate acts. It’s about time we showcase the caliber of entertainment this town deserves."
Comedian Judy Gold kicks off TITTERS! this Memorial Day Weekend, 8 p.m. Friday, May 23 until Sunday, May 25. Vixen, 336 Commercial St. $25-$30. 508-487-6424 or www.ptownvixen.com.
Sam Baltrusis has worked for WHDH-TV, CW56, MTV, VH1, Seventeen, Newsweek and as a regional stringer for The New York Times. He’s currently a full-time freelance editor/writer based in Boston. Check out his blog at loadedgunboston.blogspot.com.
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