Sandra Bernhard is celebrating V-Day in Chi-town with five performances over Cupid's weekend. She is out to prove that "Sandy Loves Chicago!"
Windy City Times: Hi Sandra. We are all very excited that you are coming to Chicago.
Sandra Bernhard: I couldn't be more excited to be coming!
WCT: You are doing five performances, which seems like a lot.
Sandra Bernhard Yes and yet not really. I am used to doing extended runs in New York. Five shows seems like a drop in the bucket but I am glad that I am going to be there for a few days and settle in and people will know about it. It is nice to come into a city for one night and the next day people will go, "She was there last night?" This is an opportunity to everyone to come to see the show so it is exciting.
WCT: Well, I am happy to get the word out about the show. I have been a fan of yours for a long time.
Sandra Bernhard Good, thank you.
WCT: This is a benefit for Personal PAC, which is an organization dedicated to electing pro-choice candidates.
Sandra Bernhard Yes, I have come in to doing something for them a few months ago and I think it is a great organization. It is one of the most comprehensive in the country for getting women's reproductive rights on the books. They are super on it, together and really have women's backs in a great way.
WCT: Are you singing at your performances this time out?
Sandra Bernhard Yeah, it's my one-woman extravaganza. I will be doing my stories, monologues, observations, all woven in and out of songs.
WCT: So you will have your band there.
Sandra Bernhard Yes.
WCT: What was it like singing with Chrissie Hynde?
Sandra Bernhard It was amazing. She is one of the greatest voices of our time. She is a really generous cool person. She is totally unimpressed with herself. She has a global view of life and the world. She is super inspiring and a great talent. She plays the guitar almost like no woman or man can.
WCT: When I saw Shakira trying to cover I'll Stand By You at the Haiti telethon, I wanted Chrissie!
Sandra Bernhard Oh I know.
WCT: You might bump into Mariah Cary when you are in town.
Sandra Bernhard Well, you know Mariah and I have been destined to hang out for a long time. I have done my Mariah bit. I hope by now she understands that I think she is great. It's kind of deconstructing pop culture. When you are a part of pop culture you might be in the cross hairs. Really Mariah is so talented and so eccentric. I would never seriously tear her down because she is a great talent, crazy and interesting.
WCT: She was actually pretty good in the movie Precious.
Sandra Bernhard She was great in Precious.
WCT: I want you to know that I thought "I'm Still Here Damn It!" was brilliant.
Sandra Bernhard Thank you.
WCT: What do you think of comics like Lisa Lampanelli and Sarah Silverman who I interviewed recently?
Sandra Bernhard I think that they speak to their particular experience in life, to the things that have informed them as women and trying to be a part of the comedy scene. I was really lucky because I got out of the mainstream comedy scene when I was really young, right after King of Comedy and I kind of never went back to it again. I have always forged my own unique path in the comedy and entertainment world. Personally I find it very uncomfortable to do stand up and be that verbose. I look at the world in a different way. I think what they do is very interesting but it is not my particular style. It doesn't engage me. It's not a put down. I think they are very talented.
WCT: I understand. How was this movie you did called Dare?
Sandra Bernhard My friend David Brind wrote it. It was a great cast. It was a bisexual coming of age film and touches on all sorts of sexuality. I play a therapist. It should be out on disc very soon.
WCT: Is there anyone you would like to work with in a movie but haven't?
Sandra Bernhard Oh yeah tons of people. I would love to work with Almodovar but my Spanish is not up to speed.
WCT: I love him!
Sandra Bernhard I know. Listen, there are projects that some of the young guy directors have. I think I could fit in with a lot of different venues. It is just a matter of connecting. When the right part comes along, it will happen.
WCT: And now a woman is probably going to win an Oscar for best director.
Sandra Bernhard And deservedly so, that was by far my favorite film of the year.
WCT: Any future projects for 2010?
Sandra Bernhard There is potentially with a lot of them. I don't want to call it a reality show but it is me mentoring people and finding interesting entertainers. That is something we are out pitching. There is a show that I wrote with a really talented writer and we are trying to get that set up for me to be in. It is a cable television project. I am up for countless TV and film things but so are a lot of other people. You go in, audition and hope to nail something really soon, as well as perform live.
WCT: You are going to be here on Valentine's Day, any advice for the lovers?
Sandra Bernhard Valentine's Day is amateur time. I think the good ones hide out on Valentine's Day.
Whether you are single or as a couple come check out Sandra Bernhard performing at the Lakeshore Theater ( 3175 N Broadway ) on February 11th ( 8:30 pm ) 12th -14th ( all 7:30 pm ) with an additional ( 10:30 pm ) performance on February 13th. For VIP tickets that include special seating, back stage pass, photo, autographed CD and opening night party at Sidetrack ( 3349 N Halsted ) call 312-422-0005. For more information visit Personalpac.org or lakeshoretheater.com .
