EDINBURGH 2023: Isabel Klein Q&A

BWW caught up with Isabel Klein to chat about bringing SHOWSTOPPER to the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Showstopper.

SHOWSTOPPER is a high-energy show about the quest for fame and fortune in Hollywood! Inspired by my own trials and tribulations, I share my journey climbing the ladder of success in Tinseltown. Through song, dance, and very dramatic acting, I pull out all the stops to prove I’ve got what it takes to be a star. When my highly choreographed performance starts to unravel, the audience is left to wonder: “Will Isabel hold it together until the final curtain?” As my self-aggrandizing tongue-in-cheek shtick screeches to a halt, I realize something profound: I must be delusional to even think I can succeed as an actress, as an artist. I reveal a universal truth for many artists: believing we are talented is how we persevere and how we continue to chase our dreams.

Why bring it to Edinburgh? 

I’m drawn to opportunities where I can interact with enthusiastic audiences. SHOWSTOPPER depends on audience participation, so it’s much more fun to entertain people who are ready to laugh and have a good time. I’m a trained actress with a background in improv. When I decided to try standup, I had fun telling stories about my life as an unknown actress in Hollywood. Those standup gigs ultimately lead me to create this satirical Hollywood actress persona. I debuted the show in Hollywood and the performances all sold out. It made me think that a wider audience might enjoy it, too. Why not bring it to the biggest stage in the world? I will say that I am in completely over my head. I have never been to Edinburgh and the idea of performing a show 24 times is so daunting. Luckily, I’ve set many crazy goals that I’ve been able to accomplish. I am confident that my preparation and previous experience will lend itself to an awesome run in at The Fringe.

3. Where might we have seen you before?

I perform standup all over Los Angeles including the Comedy Store, the Improv in Hollywood and the Groundlings mainstage. I’m an actress often working in commercials. I’ve appeared in commercials for McDonalds, Visa Credit Cards, Sonic Drive-Thru, Dave and Busters, Airheads, and Fidelity. I’ve also been in a Lifetime movie and some short films, but most of those have never seen the light of day. I’m a member of a Groundlings-based troupe called Off-Leash. I’m a TikTok creator with over 4-million views. I’ve also been doing a 100-day video countdown for the Edinburgh Fringe. As of today, I’ve done 72 videos and I only have 28 left. Those videos have had over 500,000 views (you can see them on Instagram @isabel_klein)! Lastly, when feeling erudite and authoritative, I serve as director of the Improv program at Pepperdine University.

Who would you like to come and see it?

I think people of all ages who enjoy the “live” aspect of theatre will enjoy this show. This show cannot happen without an audience, trust me, I’ve tried. So, anyone and everyone should check out SHOWSTOPPER. On a micro level – people who like making fun of Americans will think it’s a hoot because SHOWSTOPPER is a sendup of Hollywood acting culture. Also, people who enjoy awkward, self-deprecating humor will like it. Ultimately, the show has a lot of heart. It’s about someone with big dreams who never gives up. For people in artistic fields, it’s very relatable. The show also involves a lot of physical humor too, so if that’s your jam, check it out.

What would you like audiences to take away from it?

I think that audiences will leave the show entertained and satisfied. This show has song, dance, acting… rollerblading, and many more things. I leave everything out on the stage. In the end, the show has a lot of hope.

Tickets are available here: 

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