Tig Notaro brings candid standup
Tig Notaro’s deadpan delivery of her observational and personal comedy ranges from life’s realities to the absurd.
More than many comedians, Notaro reveals herself to her fans.
After her 2012 cancer diagnosis, Notaro discussed it in her act.
“Tig,” a Netflix movie, chronicled her attempts to become pregnant with her then-fiancee (now wife) Stephanie Allynne.
The Amazon series “One Mississippi” focused on Notaro’s return to her Mississippi hometown after her mother’s unexpected death.
Recognized for her frankness, courage and wit, Notaro, who lives in Los Angeles, received a 2016 Emmy nomination for her “Boyish Girl Interrupted” special and Grammy nominations for her albums “Live” (2014) and “Boyish Girl Interrupted” (2017).
Notaro, 50, spoke in advance of appearing Jan. 16 at the Southern Theatre.
Question: How did you get your nickname?
Notaro: My brother made it up when I was 2. He couldn’t say my real name, Mathilde. I always tell people Tig’s long for ‘T.”
Evolution of a comic
Q: You’re known for deadpan comedy. How did that develop?
Notaro: It must have evolved at some point, but as long as I can remember, people have told me my comedy was so dry .... It sounded like a compliment, so it was thrilling. There’s a bit of a sneak surprise when you deliver your punchline.
Q: How has your standup evolved?
Notaro: It was mainly observational over the years. I think I just allowed myself to change. I’ve wanted to grow and tell longer stories, more than just a short joke or one-liner. I even do some physical bits and then tell personal stories. I tried over the years to not tell myself: “No, you can’t do this.” Sometimes, when you do that, you get stuck and it’s not fun anymore.
Q: Did growing up a tomboy shape your perspective?
Notaro: I always felt empowered by who and what I was . ... I felt being a woman was a strength. Once I figured out I was gay, that was a strength . ... all the different thoughts and ideas I got from life with my own lens.
Art imitates life
Q: You’ve been married to Stephanie Allynne since 2015 and welcomed twin sons in 2016. Do you often bring your family into your act?
Notaro: I bring a good amount of material from my real life, for sure. I always tell people I live with a writing staff, because just waking up every day, it’s endless stories and experiences.
I try to keep some stuff under wraps, and find a happy medium. I try to remember my sons are still young and aren’t able to make choices about what’s shared about their lives. But it’s hard to let a good story go . ... I might run it by Stephanie: “Hey, do you mind if I tell that story when that thing happened with the cat?”
Q: Did sharing your life in “Tig,” “One Mississippi” and elsewhere have an impact on you and fans?
Notaro: I couldn’t believe how good it felt to share . ... to experience that connection with so many. Everybody can relate one way or another . ... A lot of my stuff is still very observational, entwined with personal things. It’s not something I would have done years ago, but when life took me down, I couldn’t help explore that.
Q: Did the pandemic change your standup focus?
Notaro: No. It’s pretty much a lot of family talk, jokes, stories, and every now and then a story about my health, not cancer-related. I’ve had other struggles over the past nine years, and I’m doing well.
Laughing through the pain
Q: You got a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with cancer in 2012. How did your sense of humor help you through?
Notaro: I’ve always gone toward awkward uncomfortable with a sense of humor and that was more than awkward or uncomfortable. It was hard. I’m just really thankful I can have that ability to break the tension of the moment with comedy.
Q: What did you learn from your brush with mortality?
Notaro: I often think how quickly everything can just slip away... whether it’s my health or a relationship that’s struggling or anything. Aside from cancer, I also lost my mother, had a digestive disease and went through a breakup in a four-month period. It’s really not some deep lesson, but it feels like you’re standing on an edge, a cliff or hill, and the sand beneath you starts to go . ... sometimes it just keeps going.
Movie mania Q: You appeared in Zack Snyder’s 2021 zombie heist thriller “Army of
the Dead,” but performed your supporting role digitally after regular shooting. How was that experience? And do you enjoy making movies?
Notaro: Obviously, that was a very weird situation, but I had such a great time with Zack and his crew . ... My wife and I write and produce, and I’ve done several (upcoming) movies in the past year: a romantic comedy (Netflix’s “Your Place or Mine”) with Ashton Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon; a family ghost movie (Netflix’s “We Have a Ghost”) set in New Orleans; and my wife and I co-directed a film (“Am I OK?”) with Dakota Johnson. Zack and I are talking about doing something else together.
Bigger and better
Q: What was your first big break?
Notaro: Every step of the way has been a big break. My first big break — and I mean this genuinely — was just getting onstage to do my first open-mic set. I felt that was the biggest moment of my career. It’s always gotten to be bigger and bigger and bigger.
Q: You’ve reached 50. How does that feel?
Notaro: Oh, my God ... I never really had an age I hit when I felt it was the big one or a big deal. I still always kind of feel 25 in my head, but I’m OK with being 50. I’ve hit my stride and feel better than ever. The wisdom and experiences I have at this age feel really good and earned.
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