The CLog

Archives | RSS

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Arts Suzanne Westenhoefer at The Comedy Zone

Posted By on Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 9:11 AM

suzanne-westenhoefer-8.jpg

It only seems appropriate that Suzanne Westenhoefer calls Creative Loafing from Isla Mujeres (Translation: Island of Women), Mexico. The lesbian comedian, who gained fame in the early ‘90s for her then very out-of-the-closet stand-up act, is coming to Charlotte next week (Oct. 4) to perform at The Comedy Zone in Charlotte.

Westenhoefer began her career in comedy on a dare. While bartending in New Jersey, regulars - who got laughs in addition to booze from her - encouraged her to take to the stage. Westenhoefer shares her first thoughts on the idea, "I was thinking, 'I can’t do stand-up and then all of a sudden get up there and start talking about my boyfriend, because I don’t have one. I have a girlfriend.’”

But after the initial apprehension, Westenhoefer took the plunge. The result? She won a contest on her first try and started performing routinely. This led to a spiral of TV appearances, including one on a 1991 episode ("Breaking the Lesbian Stereotype...Lesbians Who Don't Look Like Lesbians") of Sally Jesse Raphael, and others on Comedy Central, HBO and The Late Show With David Letterman.

Currently on the Semi-Sweet Tour, Westenhoefer explains her current act and how it's sometimes perceived by folks. “I’m still gay, but my act has changed so much over these past 20 years. I talk about so many different things," says Westenhoefer. "I think people get caught up thinking, ‘Oh, it’s a gay act and some how if I’m straight I won’t understand it.' Like, we have a different language, or something. But if I’m talking about my relationship, it’s not going to sound all that much different than anybody’s relationship. It’s just that it’s two chicks."

A portion of proceeds raised from the show at The Comedy Zone will go to The Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Charlotte. "I need to make money. I have a house and mortgage payment, but I like to be able to do a show where we can raise money for something that’s also going on in the community. I like having a purpose to stuff,” says Westenhoefer.

Suzanne Westenhoefer performs at The Comedy Zone (900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd., Suite B3) on Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 980-321-4702 or visit www.cltcomedyzone.com.

Tags: , , , , ,

Pin It
Submit to Reddit
Favorite

More The CLog »

Speaking of...

  |  

Comments

Subscribe to this thread:
By Email
With RSS

Add a comment

Creative Loafing encourages a healthy discussion on its website from all sides of the conversation, but we reserve the right to delete any comments that detract from that. Violence, racism and personal attacks that go beyond the pale will not be tolerated.

Search Events

all events
concerts
restaurants
movie times

www.flickr.com
items in Creative Loafing Charlotte More in Creative Loafing Charlotte pool
Most Popular
Most Shared
Most Commented

© 2019 Womack Digital, LLC
Powered by Foundation