Comedian, Actress and Lesbian icon Sandra Bernhard stars in her One-oF-A-kind live Show Sandyland at The Paramount in HuntIngton, New York, on January 25
Sandyland, currently on tour around the country, blends theatre, rock-n-roll and standup with a little burlesque and cabaret. She comes to huntington hot on the heels of her five-night, sold-out stint at New York’s famed Joe’s Pub over New Year’s eve. Sandra’s live in-your-face performing combines her hysterical insight, outspoken views and outrageous mouth, along with her band, The Flawless Zircons. her brilliant unity of hilarious diatribes on the state of modern culture and classic rock attitude burns smart, still having all the raucous energy of youth. Bernhard has been wowing, and sometimes shocking, audiences since starting her career at Los Angeles’ famed Comedy Store in the 1970s, going on to become a favorite on the live-show comedy circuit nationally, while also forging a career in film, TV and on Broadway.
Sandra Bernhard also returns to TV this season as a guest star in ABC Family’s original drama series “Switched at Birth.” In a recurring role, Benrhard will play Teresa Lubarsky, a groovy art professor at a local college where Bay (Vanessa marano) is taking classes. The Peabody Award-winning family drama returns for a third season this month.
She was also featured in a special guest starring appearance on the hit ABC TV comedy “The Neighbors” in 2013. As most people are
aware, from 1991-96 she played Nancy Bartlett—the first openly gay character on a network sitcom—on “roseanne,” and has more recently appeared on the TV Land comedy “hot in Cleveland,” on Logo’s “dTLA,” CBS’ “The New Adventures of old Christine,” FoX TV’s
“American dad,” NBC’s “Crossing Jordan,” “The L Word” and more, and has appeared more than 30 times on “Late Night with David Letterman.”
In addition to her numerous TV and film appearances, audiences have raved about her work on the Broadway stage, including the critically acclaimed I’m Still here… Dammit!, which opened OffBroadway in 1997, moved to Broadway a year later and was filmed for an HBO special. In 2006, Bernhard’s everything Bad and Beautiful also opened to rave reviews. her most recent show, I Love Being me, don’t You? played to sold-out crowds for an extended run last summer in Los Angeles. The album version of the show was released on rooftop records last fall, and she has since been touring almost non-stop.
We met up with Bernhard ahead of her gig to see what she has in store.
Having been in the comedy and entertainment business for more than 30 years, what (or who) inspires your new material?
everything under the sun, from my travels to my 14-year relationship and 15-year-old daughter to the insanity of the political landscape, and then just the quirky day-to-day things that happen to everyone.
You are often called an LGBT icon, having been out and played gay characters since well before it was as acceptable in Hollywood as it is now. How does that status make you feel?
great! I love being an unconventional role model, someone who’s never labeled herself or limited my scope of the world.
How far has the entertainment business come as far as acceptance of LGBT stars since you started your career?
oh, I think gay chic has become very fashionable and fun for the masses!
What has been the highlight of your career so far? any particularly special moments you can share with us?
From [films] “The King of Comedy” to “Without You I’m Nothing,” “roseanne,” all my live shows. These are just some of my proudest moments.
You are very famous for being outspoken and at times controversial. Does that come naturally or is it part of your showbiz persona?
Yes, I have always been fearless about the things that matter to me: women’s reproductive rights, gay rights, racial equality and just being an upfront, honest lady.
You have done standup, TV, theatre, film and books . Which is your favorite medium and why?
I love them all. They are an important reflection of my creativity, and it’s great to mix them up.
What should we expect for your performance coming up at The Paramount in Huntington, New York?
A real, nonstop, wild ride careening madly through the world with great musical numbers. I’ll take you all the way there and back!
The Paramount Comedy Series Presents Sandra Bernhard in Sandyland On saturday, January 25. Doors Open at 7 P.M., Show at 8 P.M. TickeTs are available On Paramount NY.com.
