Written by Gioia Patton/Arts Insider
Photos by: Chris Pizzello, Michael Schwartz
89.3 WFPL presents
Paula Poundstone
Saturday, February 1, 2025 8:00 PM
The Kentucky Center – Bomhard Theater
Tickets at KentuckyPerformingArts.org
The moment the Arts Insider hung up the phone from having interviewed comedian Paula Poundstone for Today’s Woman roughly 10 years ago she was struck by just how well read Poundstone had been on a multiple of subjects. So well read in fact, (that) it was all the Arts Insider could do to keep up with her lightning-quick references (be they about historical figures, current people of note…to quotes from books!), throughout the length of the interview.
And at her Louisville date to months later, Poundstone’s smart, observational humor and spontaneous wit for which she is known, appeared seamlessly engaging throughout her two-hour show.
The now 65-year-old Huntsville, Alabama native, had begun her comedy career in Boston in 1979 before moving to San Francisco, where she became a local sensation thanks to her wildly creative improvisational sets. She regularly plays theaters across the country, hosts a weekly comedy podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone, and is a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me.
To date Paula has starred in several HBO specials, including Cats, Cops and Stuff, which nabbed a cable ACE award for Best Comedy Special, and was the first female comic to host the White House Correspondents Dinner. Paula’s second book, The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness, was one of eight semi-finalists for the Thurber Prize For American Humor; the audiobook was one of five finalists for the AUDIE award for Audiobook of the Year. Paula has also released five albums and is featured in several documentaries and compendiums noting influential comedians of our time.
Famous for never repeating the same show twice thanks to her still-formidable improv skills and love of crowd work, a November 2024 review of Poundstone’s act contained the following:
‘Poundstone’s delivery was effortlessly engaging, her natural warmth and spontaneity creating a connection with the audience. She interacted with the crowd, drawing them into the conversation and making everyone feel like they were part of the show.’ -Broadway World, November 2024
*I really can’t recommend this comedian highly enough if you’re a fan of ‘intelligent’ comedy!
WHEN: Saturday, February 1 @ 8:00PM
WHERE: The Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St. (in the Bomhard Theater)
TICKETS: KentuckyPerformingArts.org