The talented performer Bridget Everett never ceases to amaze people. She has been performing in New York City for over a decade. Her cabaret shows have become legendary combining humor and rock music filling out venues traveling the country. She even did a guest spot at Carnegie Hall with the legendary Patti LuPone.
She has performed stand-up on Inside Amy Schumer and had a TV special Bridget Everett: Gynecological Wonder, both on Comedy Central.
Everett has been seen in many movies with Fun Mom Dinner, Little Evil, and Patti Cake$ all being released this year. Past television credits include Girls, Sex and the City and 2 Broke Girls.
Her debut album, Pound It, has just been released and she heads to Chicago soon to strut her stuff.
Windy City Times: What a cute dog you have. What is her name?
Bridget Everett: Poppy.
WCT: Does she go everywhere with you?
BE: I have traveled without her but I turn a little dark if she is not around.
WCT: I heard your cabaret show is the big thing in the gay community.
BE: I feel like gay men are the first people to support something different, new, and outrageous. My audience originally started off with gay men. It has evolved into more cross sectioning, even grandmas are there now, too. It is everyone in between.
It's a wild, off the rails, sexual contact cabaret.
WCT: You drink onstage?
BE: Yeah, why not? I'm self employed. I write the checks!
WCT: Do you have a drink of choice?
BE: Rombauer chardonnay, but I also like a spicy margarita with a salted rim.
WCT: Were you nervous around Patti LuPone?
BE: There is no pretense about her; she's Patti so, no, I wasn't nervous.
WCT: Do celebs come to your show?
BE: I get a fair share of boldface names. It's weird sometimes they want to be messed with and sometimes they just sit there. There are certain people if I knew they were there I would have shit my pants and that has happened before. [Laughs]
WCT: When did you first start belting out music?
BE: I had a real hot start in show choir. I grew up in Manhattan, Kansas, nicknamed "Little Apple." I loved it.
I discovered karaoke and my life has never been the same. That was how I got discovered was when I was singing in a karaoke bar.
WCT: What is your go-to karaoke song?
BE: "Piece of My Heart" and "You Oughta Know." I would be on top of the bar and ripping my shirt off, spitting booze out at people. I was a maniac!
I thought I would never be a real rockstar so I wanted a karaoke moment.
WCT: Did you connect with your character Barb in Patti Cake$ because of the singing?
BE: Barb is a little lonely and sad. Her dreams have passed her by. I waited tables for 25 years, so I understand the feeling of suffocating. I recognized that in Barb.
My mom was a single mother with the drinking and all of that. She was lonely.
I saw Barb and thought I could do it.
WCT: The scene of you tapping the shot glass with your fingernail is very memorable.
BE: It was so Geremy Jasper, who directed it. He knows that is Jersey. He's right. People comment on that. I had to wear those acrylic nails. I am not a nail person. I have two tattered nails that my girlfriend Tabitha painted on for me. Walking around with that clank clank is not me.
WCT: You didn't wear much makeup in Fun Mom Dinner, so are you not a pretentious person?
BE: I like to keep whatever my character is as bare as possible.
WCT: In one scene of the movie you encouraged kids to sing show tunes. Do you have a favorite musical?
BE: The Sound of Music. I know that is corny, but we watched it every year as a family. Julie Andrew's voice is my all time favorite. It is so sad that she can't sing anymore.
I watched it on a plane recently and was crying. It is actually pretty timely with the themes, nazis, kids, and the fucking curtains. What is not to love?
WCT: How has the reaction been to Patti Cake$ while out on the road?
BE: The screening last night was really cool. I perform in Chicago a lot. I always look forward to it because the audiences are so vital. It was movie fans and not tastemakers. They loved it. If you can give some people some joy what is wrong with that?
WCT: You had a small part in the Gayby movie. Do you have a gay best friend?
BE: I have about 20. Almost all of my friends are exclusively gay or trans. I have a few straight friends. The reason I am single is because I am always having dinner with couples.
WCT: I am constantly upset when trans rights are taken away.
BE: I know. It is like the last acceptable prejudice. People are somehow allowed to say that trans people can't have free rights. I am not saying that other people are not discriminated against, but especially trans women of color. ... I'm about to start crying right now.
WCT: What are your future projects?
BE: I have a pilot coming out on Amazon called Love You More that I did with Bobcat Goldthwait and Michael Patrick King, from Sex and the City. Loni Anderson plays my roommate. She is so great.
There's a musical element to it.
WCT: Where is the tour going?
BE: For now, I am going where I want to go. I have a bunch of dates in New York. I am not sure what is happening with my future so it is a balancing act.
I heard the Park West is classy. They showed me a picture and it looked elegant.
WCT: It's really nice with a disco ball, and booths to lounge in.
BE: I am very excited. Bring your friends!
Visit BridgetEverett.net for more information and tickets to the Thursday, Oct. 19, Park West show.
