Holy Trinity Church is hosting a night of laughs when comedic group Queer on Their Feet takes the stage in late March.
The out-and-proud comedic team is comprised of seasoned funny-people Jennie McNulty, Jason Dudey and Diana Yanez, who's comedic offerings differ but mesh well on stage, whether in a comedy club or a church.
Yanez, who performs nationwide with "The Gay Mafia" Comedy Group and has toured with Margaret Cho, divvies out character-driven comedy and impersonations.
Dudey and McNulty stick mostly to observational comedy and get a lot of laughs from their interaction with the audience.
Dudey has opened for acts including Ant and Sandra Bernhardt and can be seen on LOGO Channel's OutLaugh Comedy Festival. McNulty can be seen on LOGO's comedy special "One Night Stand Up" and in her walking talk show, "Jennie McNulty Presents: Walking Funny With…" on LOGO's AfterEllen Web site.
On March 27 in Nashville and March 28 in Memphis, each comedian will perform a 15-minute stand-up act to warm up the crowd before the three join together for improv games and suggestions from the audience. Tickets cost $12 in advance or $15 at the door and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com.
The show isn't raunchy, but don't be fooled by the evangelical venue. There's still plenty of opportunity for raucous fun, McNulty said.
"We've done a couple of churches before and its always fun because it does take that dirty element out of it," McNulty said. "It also offers up some chances to joke about venue. Comedy is a lot funnier when it’s bright and clean, as opposed to getting a laugh just because you said something dirty."
The group's act doesn't revolve around the fact that they are gay, so straight audience members won't feel left out. But, the comedic troupe can't always stop the act from trailing toward gay comedy, especially if audience members throw out 'lovers' as a suggestion for a skit.
"We’re all gay, so we do a little material about being gay, but it’s not like you wouldn’t get it if you aren't gay," McNulty said. "Once you take it down that road, it's hard to pull the reigns and bring it back. During stand-up comedy there’s no issue, but we can’t be responsible for what they audience might suggest."
The show's format makes each performance unique, giving audience member's couture comedy. McNulty said the improvisational portion of the show might be the most fun and entertaining, but it can also be risky for the comedians.
"Every once in-a-while you die horribly," she said. "But, when the audience sees you struggle, it can be funny too. If you approach it lightheartedly everyone rolls with it."
An evening of Stand Up Comedy and Improv with Queer On Their Feet
March 27 in Nashville
Holy Trinity Community Church
6727 Charlotte Pike at 7:30 p.m.
March 28 in Memphis
Holy Trinity Community Church
685 South Highland Street at 8 p.m.