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Last Comic Tanning: Michele Balan Glows at Grove Community House |
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by Sherri Rase | >> see bio |
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| Michele Balan - photo courtesy of www.comicbalan.com |
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On Saturday, July 5th, Michele Balan-the last female comic standing-graced the Cherry Grove Community House for two benefit shows for the Arts Project of Cherry Grove. And in true Grove fashion, all the stars came out! I was at the 7 p.m. opening show.
First, there was not just one opening act, but two! Stacey Gail is an Ani DeFranco-esque singer-songwriter, who plays a right-handed guitar left-handed with an amazing display of folk-driven acoustic power chords. Her first offering, a cover of "Can't Get Next to You" in her own arrangement set the stage for her original works that followed. The Grove is bristling with talent, and I'm certain we'll be hearing more from the woman billed as "Michele Balan's favorite singer!"
Next, we enjoyed the rapid-fire combination banter/unscripted/extemporaneous stream of consciousness comedy of the Freedner Twins. Ruth and Susan riffed on many aspects of twin-dom, running the gamut from their shared experiences to confusion of those around them when growing up. Isn't it cute to dress two children exactly alike-when they're identical?!?!? Then you wonder why you can't tell 'em apart! The physical conditions you don't automatically recognize though your sister has been diagnosed, and the euphoria or dysphoria of having a total stranger accost you for not being friendly when you've just had dinner, only it wasn't YOU-the list goes on!
The main event ramped the energy up to fever pitch-both shows were veritable who's-whos of Long Island and Cherry Grove Lesbian Society, with a soupçon of our gay brothers who love a great laugh! And while we were orderly processing in, there was the champing at the bit which is the way we estrogen-powered lesbian women express ourselves while awaiting something divine. And we'll return to "divine" in a bit.
Michele sprang out of the wings with a wig she had found down in the dressing room and used it in a number of interesting ways. Perhaps more interesting was that the owner of the wig was in the second show and was a bit amazed and then amused to see it appearing on stage without him! All's well that ends well and the ending was hilarious!
Michele's humor ranges from the oh-so-personal joys of aging-can you say "hot flash?"-to the joys of having an aging population as a fan base! Having given up a corporate career to pursue her dream, Michele reminded us that she's an overnight sensation after nearly 20 years in the business.
After entertaining us for more than an hour-a marathon by comic standards - Michele closed to a standing ovation by the group, women and men alike saluting her drive, her wit and her energy. She has been characterized as a female George Burns, with her rapier wit and ability to instantly improvise upon the most seemingly tiny happening, but I feel that she's the heir to George Carlin, with a dyke twist. Michele skewered all with equal glee and abandon and we had the time of our lives.
Comedians all have a message, something that lasts long after the gig itself. What I took home from Michele is the inspiration to follow a dream, not give it up no matter what. There are people who will support your dream and who are as interested in your success as you are, and Michele cited several of our Cherry Grove denizens as people who supported her from the very beginning. After she entertained us thoroughly, our applause brought Michele back onstage to acknowledge her Divine inspiration-and she donned a curly Bette Midler-esque wig for this reprise of one of her earliest bits-as the female female impersonator. And whether it's comedy, drag, philosophy or endurance, Michele Balan has got it all.
Many thanks to Laura Spadafino and the Arts Project of Cherry Grove for bringing Michele back to us. We'll be inspired and giggling for some time to come.
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