When the Pink Collar Comedy Tour came to Piccolo Spoleto back in 2012, the funny foursome talked about trying to make it as a comedian in New York, all the shitty jobs they’ve had, and the challenges of, essentially, growing up. Led by College of Charleston grad Kaytlin Bailey, they’re returning for another set this season, and instead of a traditional interview, we decided to turn the reins over to them.
PCCT: So, Kaytlin Bailey, what is the Pink Collar Comedy Tour, and what crazy fever-dream made you decide to start it?
Kaytlin Bailey: The Pink Collar Comedy Tour is a stand up comedy show featuring four hilarious female comics based in New York City. I started the tour because why not? What could be more fun than traveling all over the country performing comedy with a bunch of super funny amazing women? I chose to call it “Pink Collar” because that means low-status jobs for women, and we’ve all worked silly day jobs we hate to support our comedy careers.
PC: Why did you pick the rest of us to invite on tour?
KB: I wanted to work with comics I admired and wouldn’t mind being cooped up with in a small car for several weeks.
PC: And what does The Comedy Establishment have to say about all this?
KB: I remember talking to a booker who said the tour was going to be impossible to market, but we’ve been selling out all kinds of venues all across the country. So … booyah.
PC: How do you get your hair so shiny?
KB: Great question; I don’t wash it.
PC: So, Carrie Gravenson, why don’t you wear more green?
Carrie Gravenson: I just bought bright green pants! For realz. I’m going to wear them like crazy on the tour. Get ready.
PC: Do you think Dippin’ Dots are really the ice cream of the future?
CG: Absolutely not. The ice cream of the future will be in a flying car and wearing a white jumpsuit. Duh.
PC: How do you feel about taking notes from your tour mates?
CG: I LOVE taking notes from my tour mates. Each of us has a different comedic sensibility, and I love getting all angles of a premise. My favorite moments on tour are when the car becomes a writing session. My jokes get fine-tuned and it feels very productive. Sometimes the difference between a good joke and a great joke can be simply stressing a different word in a sentence. Together, we work through all the possibilities. I love it.
PC: So, Abbi Crutchfield, you have quite a reputation on Twitter. Are you ever conflicted between promoting yourself and promoting the tour on Twitter? Can your Twitter-love be bought?
AC: A) No. B) No, but my toes can.
PC: Would you cut off your left pinky toe for $65,000 (tax-free, cash)?
AC: Yes, but surely someone who will pay $65K for one toe would pay $130K for both? Call my lawyer, and we’ll draw up the paperwork.
PC: You have an amazing presence and likability on stage. Does that come naturally or is that something you feel can be learned? How do you pump yourself up to get on stage when you’re having a terrible day?
AC: Thanks! I am an angel sent from heaven, so maybe it comes from that? Without explaining too much about “my artistic process” I will say that a cat uses glands in its mouth to rub its scent on human legs and table legs. Cats are leg-men.
PC: Would you rather marry an unworkable violin or a deranged monkey named Crampo?
AC: I would take my chances on Crampo. I’ve dated an out-of-work violin before. Endless lectures on what’s wrong with society all the while setting up shop on my couch, eating food I’ve bought, watching consecutive courtroom reality shows. Fool me once.
PC: So, Erin Judge, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
EJ: If the strict scrutiny of an abbey full of singing nuns couldn’t do it, I don’t know what could. And who would want to catch a cloud and pin it down? Sounds like a diabolical plot to control the weather to me.
PC: If your arm falls asleep and you use it to hold a tooth brush, is it like someone ELSE is brushing your teeth?
EJ: It’s always like somebody else is brushing my teeth. I’m just not very good at it. After I graduated college, they found four fresh cavities. I tried switching to the electric kind, but have you ever let someone else brush your teeth with a vibrating toothbrush? It ain’t pretty.
PC: What can fans expect to see from you this year that they would not have last year?
EJ: Well, at last year’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival, I crutched onto the stage for each performance in a walking cast and knee brace. So this year, audiences can expect to see my normal, extremely physical style of comedy, which includes such acrobatic feats as standing upright and even walking.
Piccolo Spoleto: Stelle de Domani. The Pink Collar Comedy Tour. May 30 at 9 p.m. May 31 at 8:30 p.m. June 1, 2 at 6 p.m. 1 hour, 30 min. $16, $13/students, seniors. Chapel Theatre, 172 Calhoun St.
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