BWW Interviews: Women Fully Clothed's Teresa Pavlinek

Women Fully Clothed: Older and Hotter is the much anticipated sequel for Canada's "comedy dream team" (Toronto Star) which takes everyday life, adds a dash of hilarity and puts it onstage.
The show features four of Canada's most celebrated and talented comediennes on stage together where they tackle all sorts of topics from mother-daughter relationships to cross border shopping and craft shows!

Robin Duke, Jayne Eastwood, Kathryn Greenwood and Teresa Pavlinek have crafted a fantastic evening of stories and song that is guaranteed to have both men and women alike laughing with them - and maybe at them a little bit too.

BWW had the chance to speak with all four women about the unique challenges of being not only a female in the business of comedy, but also "women of a certain age." They were just as funny in their interviews as in their show, and all week we will feature a piece with each leading lady. Today we are speaking with Teresa Pavlinek:

Congratulations on bringing WOMEN FULLY CLOTHED: Older & Hotter to Toronto! Why did you choose now to bring the show back to the city?

Well, we did one night of our new show last year and the response was so incredible we felt we wanted to come back with a longer run. Then the Mirvishs approached us and the Royal Alexandra Theatre was available. How could we not? We decided to just go for it.

As comediennes working in what is still a predominantly male dominated field, do you feel that you have to work that much harder to prove yourselves compared to your male counterparts? Or in 2011 are women finally on equal footing?

I always find that question difficult to answer. Especially since what we do with Women Fully Clothed has been such a huge success by virtue of the fact that we are women. That was what we wanted to do - create something we had total control over that we didn't have to rely on anyone else (male or female) to tell us we could or couldn't do it. I think if you create something people love they will respond. I don't think gender matters when it comes to things like that.

You were all involved in Second City, how did that environment help set up your careers? Was it a good training ground? Did you find a big difference between the Toronto and Chicago Second City's?

Being a part of The Second City was crucial in my training as a comedienne, writer and actor. It really was a comedy school for me. I was hired right out of University so I feel like it was my "Masters in Comedy." It opens so many doors and gives you an incredible opportunity to write your own show and perform it every night in front of a live audience.

When I was at Second City we did a swap with the Second City Chicago ETC cast. They came to Toronto and we went to Chicago. The main difference I found was that Second City in Chicago was definitely considered a theatre. You could sense that it was respected in the community in a way that I don't think Second City Toronto is. It's considered a Comedy Club. I got to watch Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Scott Adsit and Adam McKay in the mainstage show when I was there. It was incredibly inspiring.

Obviously this show makes light of the fact that you are getting older - but do you find that as women there is increased pressure to continue to look a certain way as the years go by? Something that perhaps male performers don't need to worry about as much?

Uh ... yes. It is amazing to me that even as a character actor how I look and how I age matters. I really don't know if that's something that will ever change. I think that's what resonates with women about our show. We really don't make it about "oh no we're getting older and life is horrible". Our show covers so many different, funny, interesting themes that aren't about beauty, weight or age. I think women are tired of being inundated with the message that they're not skinny or beautiful or young enough. It's exhausting!

You are basically running your own show with this tour, and therefore get to decide when and where you go. What kinds of factors come into play when determining where to take the show next? Any cities or places you are dying to perform in?

Of course we would love to go back to New York! We did a small show there last year and we were thrilled at the response. I would also love to play somewhere warm...is that too much to ask? Australia maybe? We just really love touring. It's so great to go to a city that you might not know anything about and hear that huge roar of laughter in the audience and realize "we really are all connected."

The last time WOMEN FULLY CLOTHED came through Toronto it received rave reviews, yet comedy in general is still seen as the "lesser" art form when compared to drama. Why do you think that is? Especially when it is so universal?

I don't get that way of thinking because comedy is HARD! I saw August: Osage County in New York and I was so thrilled to see a play that wasn't afraid to be laugh out loud funny while at the same time gut wrenchingly moving. I think drama makes us feel and comedy makes us feel less alone. Comedy seems to be given the role of the lesser of the two forms. I'm a believer in both.

Finally, what would you say to encourage a younger audience to come out and see this show?

You will laugh until you cry! And we are way more fun than a rave. Are there even raves anymore? I think I may have just embarrassed myself! Just come to the show!

For more fun with Teresa Pavlink, you can follow her on twitter @teresapavlinek

When and Where?
Women Fully Clothed: Older and Hotter
The Royal Alexandra Theatre
June 14th-June 19th

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, June 14 - 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 15 - 2 & 8pm
Thursday, June 16 - 8pm
Friday, June 17 - 8pm
Saturday, June 18 - 2 & 8pm
Sunday, June 19 - 2pm

Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-872-1212 or online at www.mirvish.com/shows/womenfullyclothed

 

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