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PROVINCETOWN GUIDE
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| DIRECTORY |
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Provincetown :: Friday, July 30th 2010
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In the Beginning . . .
Suzanne Westenhoefer - Post Office Cabaret
By Steve Desroches of Provincetown Magazine
October 9th, 2009
Suzanne Westenhoefer changed people laughing at gays and lesbians from a bad thing to a good thing.
| “I’m a definite classic,” says Westenhoefer, thinking about her approaching 20th anniversary in Provincetown. |
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Starting her career in comedy in 1990, Westenhoefer is generally credited as being the first openly gay comedian. Where she once stood alone, the long roster of gay and lesbian comedians that not only come through Provincetown each year, but who appear on stages and TV programs to mainstream audiences shows that she helped open a door for many LGBT performers.
“The biggest change that I’ve seen with the newer comedians,” says Westenhoefer, over the phone from St. Louis, where she is preparing for a show at Washington University, “they are so comfortable with it. It used to be about 10 to 15 minutes of general material and then, you know, the ‘You’ve probably figured out I’m gay,’ and then this awkward silence. Now they’re just gay and completely at ease. Audiences accept it. It rocks. This is exactly what I hoped for.”
But back in those pioneering days, Provincetown provided Westenhoefer with a supportive launching pad for her career, which has taken her from small gay venues to appearances on Late Night with David Letterman and HBO. Making her Provincetown debut in 1991, the town is a special place for her. And she’s excited to come back for Women’s Week with a week’s worth of shows at the Post Office Cabaret (303 Commercial Street).
“I’m a definite classic,” says Westenhoefer, thinking about her approaching 20th anniversary in Provincetown.
There’s something magical about the town, even if it presents itself in strange ways, notes Westenhoefer.
“I remember one summer here I was living in this run down house with Funny Gay Males and the Lesbian Lounge Lizards,” says Westenhoefer. “And as it does in town, this big storm blew in and it was raining so hard. Then water just started leaking, pouring in the kitchen through a light fixture. We all just stared at it and were like ‘This is bad, right?’ We thought there would be a fire or someone would get electrocuted, but nothing happened. It just worked out. That’s when I realized that this town is not like other towns. Only in P’town would things like that just work themselves out, whereas in other places it would be a disaster.”
Perhaps P’town gave Westenhoefer a bit of that magic, too, because her career took off soon after appearing in town. She was the first lesbian comedian to garner an HBO Comedy Special, earning her a Cable Ace Award nomination. Additionally, a performance on Late Night with David Letterman marked the first by an openly lesbian comedian. Westenhoefer’s current live tour, A Bottom on Top, aired as a comedy special and documentary on LOGO Television in fall 2007 (and is now available on DVD). In the summer of 2006, she starred nightly on the GSN’s remake of the classic game show, I’ve Got a Secret. HBO, Bravo, and LOGO TV specials dot her resume. Her latest venture, a starring role in the online drama We Have To Stop Now is available at JillBennett.com. Westenhoefer now has her sights on landing a gig in London and returning to Toronto where she once appeared as part of a comedy ensemble.
“I really want to do the U.K.,” says Westenhoefer. “At least once. I think it would be amazing.”
Westenhoefer also frequents RSVP Cruises, a gig that not long ago tested her endurance, as well as her comedic talents. A “minor” ankle injury turned into surgery and a much longer than expected recovery, which had her hobbling around a cruise ship with rolling scooter for her injured leg. That proved interesting transport on a particularly stormy night in Mexico, where she would sometimes roll across the stage mid-joke. A windjammer cruise the next week proved doubly hard as there was no room for the scooter.
“I just shimmed my butt up and down the stairs,” says Westenhoefer. “That was a treat.”
And Provincetown is in for a treat, too. The comedian is feeling “feisty” after watching the events of this particularly tumultuous year. Her stream of consciousness comedy will certainly hit on the absurdities of the day and perhaps even let off a little steam.
“It will be crazy; pretty wild,” says Westenhoefer. “I’m always more relaxed in Provincetown than anywhere else. Who knows what will happen.”
Suzanne Westenhoefer is performing at the Post Office Café and Cabaret, located at 303 Commercial St., Provincetown, daily October 10 – 18. Tickets are available at Diane Z, 273 Commercial St. Priority seating is available for dinner patrons who arrive at least an hour and a half before showtime to dine and be seated. For specific showtimes and additional information, call 508.487.0130.
Please Visit Provincetownmagazine.net for more stories and information.
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