parents watching you perform

Eric Appel

Eric Appel

Always Be Closing
#1
#1
So, my mom is coming to see my Dark Side of the Moon show at UCB this friday. I'm super nervous and excited, as my mom has NEVER seen me perform before. Though, my mom is always the first person I call to read a sketch to when I write one (god, even the sketches I've written for the Dirty Sketch Show). She's a good audience though, so I guess I shouldn't be too worried.

Have your parents seen your shows before? What did they think? Did they "get" it? Was it too dirty? Did the show bomb? Wha happen?
 
GoldDustWoman

GoldDustWoman

difficult but worth it
#3
#3
My mom doesn't want to see me perform, the idea scares her a little. But she will support me 100%, and will write jokes for me. In fact she thinks all my jokes and/or characters are about her. She's a little bit right.
 
C

crazygal

crazygal
#4
#4
My parents haven't seen me perform in a while. Just be prepared, they may not relaize that your comedy has grown up with you. (ie when you swear they cringe. My parents are very Catholic and my Dad flips when I say JC. However, when I played a hooker they grew up a lot). However, theya re still your parents and will probably like you even if you do bomb out but I'm sure you won't. Think positive.
My Mom is having a hard time with me hosting at the East End Ensemble. (My first hosting gig in Brooklyn at night. This is not a plug for those of you dying to point the finger at me again and again and again and I know who you are). But point is, is that your parents do appriciate what you do and odds are they tell everyone. (My Mom is a water aerobics instructor who could kick the ass of Jack Valane and tells her ladies where I perform. My Dad is a college professor/lawyer and he tells his clients/classes where I've been in NYC). Plus they have all the places I perform on a door. (who can't tell my parents are teachers, huh). So your parents are probably doing the same thing.
I just remember my first theatre audience experience in NYC. It was a production of MacBeth and these two people are sitting next to me talking. Suddenly the guy elbows me and points and says, "That's our son." So parents are parents and I'm positive they will be proud of you. Good luck and Godspeed and may the Gods and Goddesses and Buddahs and whomever else you may believe in may they be angels or spirits from another realm who watch over you (in my case Mae West and Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson and Shari LEwis and Bette Davis, etc).
:pop:
 
Eric Appel

Eric Appel

Always Be Closing
#5
#5
i think i'd be more nervous doing improv with her in the audience because i never know when i'm gonna accidentally do a scene where i'm in an abortion eating contest (my go-to). The show on Friday is completely tight and scripted, but still, she's never been to UCB.
 
gktkd

gktkd

Bad Ass!
#6
#6
If you have a pretty honest relationship with your parents, you'll be fine. If your parents think you don't smoke/drink/have sex, you might run into a problem. I think most parents when watching their kids working for what they want in life would rather be proud than judgemental. And they know the difference between their Eric and Improv Eric.

My mom comes to most of our Street Meat shows. It's actually become a great bonding thing. She loves our shows but more importantly, she loves that I'm happy, I work with great people, and working hard for what I want.

Your show is good, you're good and you're happy. That's all she cares about.
 
G

gabrus53

38th level elf
#7
#7
my mom has been to all 8 major shows i performed in college and laughed the whole time, even during stuff she didnt "get" but she loves the "cute" stuff. ie dance numbers, musical sketches, date rape. she is my number one fan and i have been performing for her for 22 years so why not do in front of her and a bunch of people
 
Erin

Erin

Belle of Kilronan
#8
#8
Eric, please move this to the plugs forum. This thread is obviously a trick to advertise the fact that you are doing a show this Friday night at the UCB Theater. I doubt you even have a mom. This is all one big deception. Did I mention that the show is at 8pm? Because it is.
 
Holmes

Holmes

of the Rare Bird Show
#10
#10
My parents saw me perform once and afterwards their response was positive and impressed and proud. That's what parents are.
 
D

d_chadwick

Damian
#11
#11
Eric Appel said:
i think i'd be more nervous doing improv with her in the audience because i never know when i'm gonna accidentally do a scene where i'm in an abortion eating contest (my go-to).
Click to expand...
Yeah. I've never let my daughter (12) come out to see me do improv for much the same reason. Partially to shield her from some "Briss gone horribly awry" scene (my go-to), and partially because knowing she's out there I'd be censoring and over-thinking on stage, which as we all know = death.
 
dethtron5000

dethtron5000

all things to all people*
#12
#12
My parents saw Me (and Erin and Brandon) do the 3 on 3 tourney a couple years ago. They liked it but they kept asking me how much we wrote in advance.
 
kristy

kristy

bacon
#13
#13
I'm still stuck on your go-to being in an abortion eating contest. That is strangely wonderful.

My parents came to see me, and I think they laughed hardest at the dirty and off-color stuff (they were once really conservative, but I think I've made great strides in breaking them of that habit). They got it, they loved it, and they loved seeing me do this thing I love so much. She's going to love it. She'll probably cry. If not because it's so good, because you are her son and that's an awful burden to carry.
 
Eric Appel

Eric Appel

Always Be Closing
#14
#14
Erin said:
Eric, please move this to the plugs forum. This thread is obviously a trick to advertise the fact that you are doing a show this Friday night at the UCB Theater.
Click to expand...
Hahaha, you're actually right, Erin. I only added the "tell me stories about your parents coming to shows" to trick people even more. shhhhhh.

Although my mom is actually coming to see me perform for the first time on friday. Truth be told, I'm more excited than nervous. Sorry IRC.

p.s. come see the show.
 
Purnell

Purnell

Active Member
#15
#15
eric appel i think you are very lucky to have your mom coming up to see your show this friday because i am sure that it is very good and if it is not your mom's 'cup of tea' you can take her to katie roberts' last swarm show at 9:30 pm and if she still is not having fun you and her can go to matt besser's woo pig sooie! show at 11:00 pm and then there is liquid courage at midnight (that is actually 12:00 am on saturday so to speak) which is also free so there are a lot of great and funny options for you and your mom this friday night (and saturday morning!) at the ucbt!
 
ameygirl

ameygirl

Fairy Trapper
#19
#19
my parents never get it but the think others do cause they hear the laughing....the sketch i was most concerned about for my show last year was rocco fuckin me up the butt while i was in a bear suit.....Luckily it was my moms favorite sketch.

Go see dark side...EEk..EEK
 
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