The Ellen Theatre is thrilled to welcome back legendary comedian Paula Poundstone for one night only at 8pm on Friday, January 9th. Known for her brilliant observational humor and uncanny ability to turn any moment into a laugh-out-loud exchange, Poundstone brings her unmistakable wit to the stage for a performance that promises to be as spontaneous as it is side-splitting. All seats are $57.75.
Poundstone – star of multiple HBO specials including Cats, Cops and Stuff and Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard – has long been considered one of the most influential comedic voices of her generation. She is a beloved regular on NPR’s hit comedy news quiz, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! and reaches audiences worldwide as host of the weekly comedy podcast Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone.
In addition to her onstage career, Poundstone is an acclaimed author. Her book, The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness, was a semifinalist for the prestigious Thurber Prize for American Humor. The audiobook version earned a nomination for the AUDIE Award’s Audiobook of the Year, cementing her reputation as a powerhouse across multiple mediums.
Poundstone has broken barriers throughout her career: she was the first female comic to perform standup at the White House Correspondents Dinner and her HBO special Cats, Cops and Stuff became the first comedy special by a woman to win the Cable ACE Award for Best Comedy Special. Her work is frequently cited in documentaries, books, and compendiums chronicling the most impactful comedians of our time.
“No two shows I do are the same,” Poundstone has said of her famously improvised sets. “My shows, when they’re good – and I like to think they often are – are like a cocktail party… You tell a story, meet some new people, spill a drink, mock the person who spilled it. No one applauds when I leave a party, though. I think they high five.”
Audiences at The Ellen know to expect the unexpected. In previous sold-out appearances, Poundstone effortlessly spun entire segments from who happened to be sitting in the front row – a couple of bear trackers once fueled 30 minutes of hilarity. As always, those who prefer not to become part of the act are gently advised to choose their seats accordingly.
Beer and wine will be available in the lobby beginning at 7pm, with the evening’s improvisational fireworks launching at 8pm. Given Poundstone’s history of sell-out shows, early ticket purchase is strongly encouraged. Tickets are available at www.theellentheatre.org or by calling the box office at (406) 585-5885. •
