Sarah Jean Anderson's "After School Special"
The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids
Nov. 30, 8 p.m.
pyramidschemebar.com, (616) 272-3758
If you were to sit down for a casual conversation with comedienne Sarah Jean Anderson, you could easily expect to witness filthily absurd tangents filled with singing, dancing and countless '90s pop references, all probably within the first five minutes. She is loud, crude and utterly endearing, and she uses these traits to create comedy and art that she hopes will ultimately have a positive impact on the world.
"I think I have an infinite number of things to make more beautiful, and make better," Anderson said. "I feel like that's the recurring theme in my comedy or my art. Make something prettier, be nice to people, be real and don't be a dick."
Anderson's career in comedy and performance began with a bit of reluctance. Her friend had written a skit about a beast that ate vaginas and tampons, but got cold feet before he was to perform. Anderson's friends thought she'd be perfect for the part.
"They called and they said 'Sarah, can you be in that show tonight?'" Anderson said. "And I was like 'F*** no!.' And they said, 'We'll get you drunk.' Then I was like, 'All right!'"
This night of drunken performance began her career with what would later become Super Happy Funtime Burlesque. For eight years, she traveled with the troupe, gaining confidence and her voice as a performer. Then, one day, her career with the troupe came full circle when she performed an all-too familiar skit that involved – surprise – a character that ate tampons.
"As I put a tampon in my mouth, it hit me – there's nowhere else I can possibly go with this show," Anderson said. "I did so many f***ed up things with this show, but there's nothing left I can offer."
She decided to strike out on her own, performing solo shows and working on her artwork, including paintings and drawings she sells online. Her creations often use humor to challenge the conventional notion of what is beautiful.
"Beauty is often hard to look at. It's a challenge."
Everything in her career is done with a DIY ethic, a mode of thinking Anderson attributes to her desire to create something that is completely her own.
Her latest solo comedy show, "After School Special," pays homage to her '90s pop culture upbringing, which was saturated with MTV, John Waters and countless SNL skits.
"One of my first memories ever as a kid was watching 'Samurai Delicatessen.' I was 4 or 5, and I remember being scared to sleep."
She plans to integrate some of her artwork into the show as well, and promises "classroom-reminiscent overhead projecting accompaniments."
Audiences should expect the same vulgar humor that has remained prevalent throughout Anderson's career, though she feels this new show is allowing her to branch out a bit in terms of topics.
"I have a lot more to say than just about my vagina," she said. "I'm going to talk about my boobs, too."
