Zoot Suit With A Reet Pleat....
Saw a long-time favorite stand-up comic - and a regular on NPR - the other night at the intimate and very cozy Charleston Music Hall.
I remembered her fondly and even recalled some of her favorite bits about her cats.
Paula Poundstone, 56, never once mentioned her snazzy red Zoot suit during her 2.5-hour show.
Nor did she speak any
1940s slang.
I was aware that she REALLY liked to interact with members of the audience so I was a bit secretive with my camera.
A few years ago, I was called out by Wanda Sykes.
I was in the front row and my camera bothered her enough that she stopped her act and chided me. A lot!
Ms. Poundstone did indeed chat and engage with people in the first row and responded to those elsewhere who called out comments. There was a lively exchange with a gentleman in the balcony or, as Paula called it, up in the spice rack.
Earlier in the week, I went to the Coliseum to see Amy Schumer in her comedy return to Charleston.
She said she had performed here about 10 years ago in Spoleto and some comedy festivals.
There were many, many signs that said photos were not only not allowed, they were forbidden with dire consequences.
If you were caught, you would be expelled from the show - with no refund.
Also, there was to be no talking or heckling of the star of the
Trainwreck movie and Comedy Central's
Inside Amy Schumer.
One fearless loud lady shouted she wanted to do a selfie with her.
Schumer's response was "There are 9,000 people here tonight, so I don't plan to do a photo with you."
I did not want to get thrown out so I waited until the audience stood at the end of the show and quickly snapped three pictures. What? Make me leave now? Oh, OK.
Oddly enough, a few days later while in Greenville for a show that evening, a man with his family
demanded that she pose for a picture.
She declined. He insisted. He argued that she HAD to because this is America and we pay you. Amy agreed that it was legal to take her picture but she had requested he not do it.
She then took HIS picture and posted it online, told the story of him accosting her and said he was the reason she will not pose for pictures with her fans. "
Blame this dude," she added.
Thank you, Charleston!
(Click on the photos and links for details.)
I support live music...and great comedy!
Labels: 1940s slang, all reet, Amy Schumer, Be-Bop, Comedy Central, Greenville, Inside Amy Schumer, no selfies, NPR (National Public Rodeo), Paula Poundstone, Wanda Sykes, Zoot Suit
Wanda Sykes & My Camera....
It's usually fun to be sitting down in Row AA.
That's the first row.
But this time,
Wanda Sykes spotted me and my camera even though the bright spotlight was shining in her eyes.
Sometimes you DON'T want attention.
This was such a case.
The PAC (Performing Arts Center) in North Charleston has been good and bad for me and my photography.
I attend a lot of live performances and usually have my small camera with me. If the ticket states "No Photography Allowed" I leave it at home.
The digital Canon S90 is great in low light situations - and even better with good stage lighting - and I never use flash.
I felt that would be rude and intrusive.
Flashes go off all around me sometimes and it seems everyone is holding up a Smartphone with a built-in camera.
Sometimes Security is the problem but never before have I had a performer stop, stare at me and do a mini-tirade about me taking pictures.
"Hey, Mr. Cameraman, you got your shot yet?"
I was indeed taking quite a few and apparently it distracted her.
Musicians can keep on playing but stand-up comedians have a LOT memorized and need to keep concentrating on what comes next.
My buddy was sitting next to me as I squirmed in my seat.
He remembered her telling the audience "And he has a real shi*ty camera - has to keep adjusting it and fiddling with it."
Thanks for prolonging my misery Ms. Wanda!
I put away my camera at that point.
Didn't want another round of her wrath.
She continued her funny routine and singled out others in the audience for special darts and taunts.
Guess I was just part of her act.
Responding to hecklers comes naturally.
But, a guy quietly trying to take some quality pictures?
I suppose I could have had a Larry David moment
(Curb Your Enthusiasm) and jumped up to defend my camera and my "rights" as a paying customer.
She appeared in 8 episodes battling with Larry.
Instead, I settled back and enjoyed the laughs.
At the end, when the audience rose to applaud, I caught her eye and used my hands to mimic a camera and mouthed "Click." She smiled and returned the friendly gesture.
No, I did NOT have my camera in my hands.
Would have made a great shot of her though.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
Unless prohibited, I'll continue to travel with my camera.
Did I mention Wanda had a torn seam in the right leg of her pants?
Labels: Curb Your Enthusiasm, hecklers, Larry David, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., stand up comedy, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Wanda Sykes
