Paula Poundstone discovers Montanans’ distinct charm
During her performance at the Babcock Theatre Jan. 28, Paula Poundstone admitted, “I have no idea where Billings is within the state.” The stand-up comic and National Public Radio commentator imagined Montana as the bread in a cabinet, slightly smushed, where the disfigured loaf, once cut into, would replicate the state. “Are you near the crust?” she asked. An audience member offered, “We are by the lower crust.”
“I’m glad I could book a date in January,” Poundstone continued. “This is really where you’re at your loveliest.” The clever banter continued with the audience, though several members were caught off-guard.
The audience was quick to shout out clever comments to Poundstone, but when put on the spot, many were shy to speak up, as though they had no concept her shows included conversations with the audience.
A woman in the front row shut down when Poundstone entered into a conversation with her. “What do you mean, ‘I didn’t know you would do this.’ What is THIS?” Poundstone exclaimed. “You say something, I say something. Clearly people here are just not used to this.”
Further crowd interaction spurred Poundstone to say, “You guys are the strangest communicators I’ve ever met in my life. Every time I talk to you, you put your head down. It’s like playing whack-a-mole.”
Even with such strange crowd antics, Poundstone was quick-witted. She appeared onstage in neon blue high tops and a matching bright blue collared shirt, complete with her typical necktie. Poundstone spoke nearly two hours to a decently crowded theater. Her topics ranged from her children and their struggles in school to the terrible state of public education.
In the most honest and straightforward terms, Poundstone spoke of her children’s adolescence and the challenges the have experienced. She continued to include Billings’ factoids in her stand-up, asking about the city’s main industry. “Casinos” and “sugar beets” were some of the offered answers.
“You must have the liveliest town meetings,” Poundstone jested. She made even the most ordinary objects funny. Her bit on cantaloupe was delightfully funny, and as she received a sugar beet education, she continued creating laughs. The topic of Yellowstone’s potential eruption came up as she discussed emergency plans in public schools for California-style disasters.
“I didn’t know that we were in danger. We must get out! How long can you go without water?!” she exclaimed. “You are just reading in borrowed time. That puts it all in perspective. I bet no one here goes into work on time.”
Poundstone’s ability to string such random thoughts together was impressive. As an audience member shouted, “That’s why we go to casinos,” Poundstone routed the topic back and commented, “Because you’re counting on the eruption to get you out of debt? At this point North Korea is part of my economic plan!” She paused often, smiling between audience laughter, genuinely soaking up the laughs the crowd offered.
Checking her watch and acknowledging that our time was coming to an end, Poundstone said, “What can I leave you with that’s meaningful and deep? I can say I died once. My heart stopped for a minute and I can say there is no bright light.” Theorizing that her friends and family are avoiding her, even in the afterlife, Poundstone—even with such a dark topic—kept the audience giggling.
Afterward, Poundstone greeted fans in the Babcock Theatre lobby, signing copies of her book—proceeds going toward the Parmly Billings Library—and taking photos with her fans.
