Austinist: Sodomy and Pedicures: An Austinst Interview with Jessica Hedrick

Brenner

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 15:20:03 -0600

Oh, c'mon, Tom ... any woman can talk with a toothpick in her mouth.

Jooley Ann

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:33:49 -0600

Tom, I'm not sure whether you were completely unable to connect to the material, or were offended by it. First you say that you found the script repetitive and Hedrick's performance tiresome. In that, it sounds like you were bored. There's very little that rankles me more than rehashed, unimaginative theatre. So I get your gripe. However, I found the material to be fresh and Hedrick's performance a delight, so in that we disagree. I was engaged; you were not. But then you suggest that you'd have liked to have stopped Hedrick from speaking by receiving a BJ from her. Hmm. That implies *some* kind of connection with her work, though not a positive one to be sure. Still, I've never responded to childish, uninteresting theatre with the wish to have the performer(s) fellate me. Take a nap? It has happened. Grumble and glare as I leave? Sure. But that's about it. I've wondered whether "S&P" is better suited to women, but then again I know several men who really enjoyed this show. But...which is it for you, Tom? A disconnect from a bland, juvenile work, or an offense from...something else?

Tom

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:28:09 -0600

Saw it tonight. Damn near walked out. She is an okay performer but the "script," as it were, touched on repetitive and borish cliches. Maybe she will get better. It reminded me of high school girls all giggling in the corner about things that were only funny to them. I kept looking at my watch and wondering why I was there. Richard Pryor was hilarious. Jessica Hedrick was vaguely tolerable in this "role." I wanted her to give me a BJ but mostly so she wouldn't be able to speak. Not hilarious by any stretch unless you equal tiresome to hilarious.

Jooley Ann

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 09:42:06 -0600

Saw it last night -- *hilarious* indeed! Not sure why it only stuck as "pretty funny" to Seely. Was a much-needed, laugh-filled break from reality for us. Full review coming soon.

Seely

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 15:44:41 -0600

Um... okay. I thought it was pretty funny at Fusebox. Maybe I missed the necessary pre-party to think it was as HILARIOUS as these other people? Most of it is neo-feminism served up with some acid-tongued evil-twin Rita Rudnerisms. It's entertaining.

Brenner

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 13:58:30 -0600

Some guy at the Austin Chronicle, who was lucky enough to catch Hedrick's performance during Fusebox a few months ago, had this to say in the Theatre Listings section: "You know when you catch a show on cable at a friend's house, and it's some woman doing a monologue about her wacky childhood and subsequently wacky adult sex life, and after a few minutes you realize that the woman is an incredible actress and a terrific writer and you're doubled over and howling because the material she's performing is so goddam funny and so identifiably true to life and you figure, hey, if this is what's available on cable these days, you're going to subscribe ASAP regardless of the cost? Well, this is better than that. Her name is Jessica Hedrick, a former Austinite now visiting from New York, and this show of hers, about "a daughter of extreme lefty idealists trying to find her place in a porn-star world," will give you a comedy orgasm after much comedy foreplay." Yeah: what he said. And you don't have to be able to "appreciate" great theatre --- whatever that means. And you don't have to be a fanatic about stand-up comedy in general. And you don't have to be a chick or a dude, in particular. You just have to be human and like laughing your ass off, and you won't enjoy ANY show ANYWHERE in town or onscreen more than you'll enjoy this one. I mean, sweet bleeding christ without a tampon, this woman is fucking HILARIOUS.

Jonathon

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 21:09:02 -0600

Thank god you were able to use the phrase "ego fluffer". Thank god. In more relevant news: totally pumped about this show.

erikamay

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 19:28:57 -0600

uh, having basically stalked jessica's performances prior to her departure to NY, i can only say that austin is a TRES better performance place with her back in the fold. i normally stray from being an ego fluffer to theatre folk, but this lady is awesome. period. (yay!)

Lowell B.

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 19:00:32 -0600

I was so sorry I missed this when it was at Fusebox. Can't wait to see it now. Jessica Hedrick rocks the known world!