Business
Cutting-Edge Comedy
Barbara Gray began doing stand-up comedy throughout Los Angeles back in 2008, shortly after moving to California after studying film at the University of Utah. “I was obsessed with comedy. I wanted to be in L.A. and do it. I threw myself into the scene doing improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade.” After performing at a local open mic, she was hooked. “I completely went headfirst into doing stand up and have been doing it every day since then.”
Gray has been performing for audiences throughout her life. “I had done a lot of theater growing up. I have an incessant need for attention. As I get older I realize how much attention I need to survive. I used to feel bad about it, but it is who I am.” Why does she do stand-up comedy? “It just felt right the first time I did it. I was meant to do it. It is cheesy but making people laugh is incredible. It is a weird, physiological response that tickles your brain. I love getting this weird noise out of their body. It is amazing to be able to do that without touching them physically.”
“It is cheesy but making people laugh is incredible. It is a weird, physiological response that tickles your brain. I love getting this weird noise out of their body. It is amazing to be able to do that without touching them physically.”
The young, gorgeous comedian has already appeared on critically acclaimed shows like Viceland’s Flophouse, Hulu’s Coming to the Stage, Comedy Central’s Deadliest Chef and has been a writer for the hit comedy, “Billy on the Street.” Success has been sweet, but for Gray the real award is just making people laugh. “I feel like I’m getting better. I’m pushing into the next phase. I’m willing to go up there and just see how it comes out. I can go up on stage and trust myself. I can talk about anything. I am getting good at comedy and that is its own reward.”
Sauce is a stand-up comedy show organized by Gray featuring cutting-edge comics performing in the back room of a real-life pizzeria, every Friday night at 8p.m. “I really feel special to have that show with my friends.” Gray and the rest of Sauce noticed the back room and approached the owner about the opportunity to host a show there. “They had not even been open a year yet.” DeSano’s Pizza, located at 4959 Santa Monica Boulevard, was a perfect venue. “The owner seemed interested in us bringing new business. The pizza is really great, I have it every week!”
Lady to Lady is a podcast featuring Tess Barker and Brandie Posey, two friends and comedians that have been performing throughout Los Angeles, too. Gray describes the show as, “Pee-Wee Herman mixed with The View and David Lynch. The podcast has taken off. We’ve even been doing stuff with Comedy Central.” The three comedians bring on a guest (usually a woman but men have been on too) who are usually performers like musicians and other stand-up comics. “The live show is a parody of a talk show. We’ve even hired a real Oprah impersonator to take over,” Gray says.
While she has had fun with cannabis, Gray warns that self-control is the best policy. “I used to be a big stoner, but it turned on me at some point. I had to pull back a lot. It kind of gave me panic attacks. You have to be careful with it.” She’s glad that the medicinal plant is becoming legal in more states throughout the country, because she’s met people with genuine ailments who have benefitted from its use. “There are so many people who need it,” she says.
