I recently caught up with actor/stand-up comic David Lee Nelson, CofC graduate and star of Status Update. His one-man show is a touching and hilarious account of the year he stopped drinking, stopped doing drugs, and split up with his wife (not necessarily in that order). It’s been one of my favorite shows of the festival. Here’s what he had to say.
City Paper: How do you keep performing this emotional show over and over? Is it cathartic or depressing?
David Lee Nelson: The show is emotional and cathartic. The creating of it was cathartic. I did a video for every month I was married — 3 and a half hours worth of video — so just the act of doing them and then watching was a very intense experience. I think the show was a very productive way for me to deal with all the emotions I was feeling — especially in the absence of drinking.
This is the first time I’ve run the show, so I’m really learning what it is … I sometimes feel like I’m doing a stand-up comedy tragedy, which is pretty cool and unique I think.
CP: Has your ex seen the show?
DLN: My ex has not seen the show. We still have a very good relationship, but I’m not ready for her to see it. Once the papers are signed perhaps.
CP: Have you scaled back on Facebook?
DLN: I have in no way scaled back on Facebook. I still try and write a funny status update every day, and build more friends. It’s just such a great way to promote yourself and a place for people to find me.
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