Welcome to our weekly Giggle Goddess question and answer session with a comedienne who’s making the stand-up world bust a gut. Say hello to Leah Bonnema!
This Q & A will take you deep within the depths of her soul … sorta.
Find Leah at: LeahBonnema.com
And follow her on Twitter: @LeahBonnema
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I don’t actually like the cake part of the cupcake (unless it’s raw cake batter — then by all means chocolate). I do however LOVE icing. I will lick the s&%t out of some icing, any flavor will do.
What or whom inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?
My parents used to play records like Steve Martin or Bill Cosby when I was growing up, also Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion (that was on tape, not record) was a favorite. I just loved hearing people tell great stories. Then, on top of that, I can’t keep my mouth shut.
If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?
A copy of the First Amendment of the Constitution, reminding us of the separation between Church and State.
What are some challenges you’ve faced since going down the comedy track and what has made those obstacles worth overcoming?
There are so many challenges, it’s hard to list them without having a panic attack. I would divide the challenges into two groups: 1) Making a living out of one’s art. 2) Challenges with the art itself. In regards to the first category, I think any person who works for themselves struggles with bills, health insurance, am I going to die in a homeless shelter with dirty panties on, etc., on a regular basis. I freak out about it at least once a day. And, in regards to the latter, it’s hard to keep moving forward all the time when you feel like you are constantly getting punched in the face. Sometimes, you think, am I kidding myself? Then you play the theme to Rocky on your iPod and remember that it’s all worth it for the moments when all the crazy thoughts swirling around in your head, the silly ones, the embarrassing ones, the ones that came from bad places too, even the sad ones, when they come out right as you hold the mic in your hand, and you realize, other people feel this s&%t, too. And you all get to laugh about it together. Those are the moments I live for.
Talking animals, I just cannot get enough. Any kind of clip, movie and/or video with a talking animal just wets my whistle. Oh, and health insurance in the country, I also find that hilarious. But not in the same way as a guinea pig who does voices. Which comedienne, dead or alive, would you love to work with/meet?
Moms Mabley, Phyllis Diller, Mae West, Jane Lynch, Melissa McCarthy, Ellen, Sommore (I have trouble narrowing down). In what ways do you think you’ve improved or evolved since your first comedy venture?
I am not afraid to address whatever the situation presents, e.g. if I am bombing, if a person heckles, if something breaks. One time, I was doing an outside show and it started pouring rain out of nowhere. Whatever the case may be, I’ll just address it now, which I was unable to do before.
What long-term/short-term goals do you have for your career?
To buy a washer and dryer entirely with dick joke residuals.
Which character do you most resemble from The Divas?
Leah: “My mom outfitted me as Rosie the Riveter for a parade, saying, ‘You look just like suffrage!’ I didn’t get it. I was 9. As a ‘hats off’ to my mom, I (with Miss Maggie Champagne) now run a monthly show called ‘Rosie the Irreverent’ at Luca Lounge, dedicated to showcasing women whose mothers never told them that if they didn’t have anything nice to say, then they shouldn’t say anything at all.”I would say I am equal parts Lucille Ballbuster and Shirley Wench, which is a tough combo to pull off. When you’re not writing/performing comedy, you’re:
I am watching sci-fi and action movies, visiting my favorite taco truck or hanging with my guinea pigs, R2D2 and Tupac. What’s the difference between appealing to women and appealing to men?
Hopefully, none.
What’s your favorite comedy movie or T.V. show of all time?
Yikes, these questions keep getting harder. Comedy movies I love: Role Models (Jane Lynch makes me warm inside), The Other Guys (I just love that movie, I watch it so much it’s embarrassing), Tootsie, Scrooged, Being There, Raising Arizona and Some Like It Hot. And, I am going to have to add Romancing the Stone — because I always laugh and I always love it! (Again with the picking a favorite problem.)
The title of your autobiography?
I Did It All For the Free Tampons (At least, that will be the chapter on temping.) —
Leah Bonnema is a Stand-Up Comic in New York City. Huffington Post recently named her one of their ‘Favorite 53 Female Comedians’ and College Candy listed Leah as one of the ‘Ten Funniest Female Comics.’ She has opened for comedy legends Paul Mooney, Pat Cooper and Gilbert Gottfried. Leah has had the honor of performing for the troops in Iraq, toured throughout the Middle East and performed for the US Marines at the famed Friar’s Club. She was featured on ‘The America Stands Up Showcase’ at The Magner’s Glasgow Comedy Festival in Scotland and headlined the ‘Breakout Artist Series’ at Caroline’s on Broadway for which she received a ‘Top Pick’ by AM NY Newspaper. Leah hails from the mountains of Maine and got her degree in Honors Cultural Studies (with a concentration in film) and minored in Women’s Studies at McGill University in Montreal. For more info please check out: LeahBonnema.com
Changing my name from Generic Wahlberg to Chocolate Icing…
One of my favorite comedians to watch in NYC!