Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Born On This Day- June 6th... Sandra Bernhard



"Gayness is a non-issue."




I am just crazy about her. I have seen Sandra Bernhard perform live 6 times (that I remember), including a non-concert question & answer session at the University of Washington in the mid-1990s... & she never disappoints.

Bernhard: “My father was a proctologist & my mother was an abstract artist, so that's how I view the world."

Bernhard gives us her hysterical insight, outspoken & hilarious diatribes on the state of modern culture with her smart classic rock attitude. Sandra is fresh, crazy & real. She inspires & invigorates.

Bernhard has staying power. 28 years after she broke out with her off-Broadway show- Without You I'm Nothing, Bernhard stays with me. Mouthy, obnoxious & a rumored lover of Madonna, I have loved her from her stint as Nancy Bartletto on Roseanne.  The NY Times: "…a living, breathing bonfire." Critic Camille Paglia :" While many of her peers pander to the mainstream, Sandra Bernhard challenges fans and critics alike with her knife-edged satire, insightful observations of pop culture, & emotive performances.”

Her accomplishments include comedy, film, TV, music & books. Bernhard has crafted a unique agenda of social commentary, biting humor & satire, mixed with music.
Bernhard toured nationwide in her shows-Without You I'm NothingGiving Till It Hurts. She is also a bestselling author, May I Kiss You On The Lips Miss Sandra is her 3rd book.  I own all her books including a signed copy of Without You... She has also written articles for Vanity Fair, People, Rolling Stone, Elle, & Spin.

Bernhard received raves for her performance in my favorite Scorcese flick- King of Comedy. She has been seen in such films as Track 29, Hudson Hawk,& Unzipped, & on TV on Will & Grace, The Sopranos, & Ally McBeal. From 1991-1996 she played the fiercely independent & always outspoken Nancy on Roseanne.

Bernhard is touring this summer in her new show- Sandrology, a hybrid of vocals, cabaret, burlesque, political & social commentary, & stream of consciousness. Bernhard claims that Sandrology is a big old-school show with an amazing rock band & great songs about what is happening in society, politics, pop culture, & her life. Bernhard is playing 6 shows in Seattle during solstice weekend & I think I need to be there.

Fierce, tender,confrontational, yet vulnerable,  funny, philosophical & always controversial, I love her. I want Sandra & Harvey Fierstein to come for cocktails in the Boys’ Fort this summer. That would be a whole bunch of big Jewish fun!

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