Alonzo King: Brilliant Lines

Sandra Bernhard will bring her new live show, “Shapes and Forms” to Bing Concert Hall at Stanford University on October 4, preceded by shows in Long Beach and Palm Springs, and followed by December shows at Joe’s Pub in Manhattan. Filled with new stories, one-liners, witty asides and an eclectic blend of songs, the show promises to deliver a blend of fun and raw emotion in a way that only this comedy queen can do it.
The bisexual icon first gained attention in the late 1970s with her trailblazing brand of stand-up comedy. A pioneer of the one-woman show, Bernhard is known for her unique and raucous mix of cabaret, stand-up, rock-n-roll, and social commentary. She’s also in the ninth year of hosting her award-winning weekly radio show, “Sandyland” on SiriusXM.

Since her breakout role in the 1982 film “The King of Comedy,” Bernhard has been a familiar presence on film and television, with current and upcoming appearances on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” in the series “Severance,” “Pose,” “Survival of the Thickest,” “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” and in the upcoming film “Marty Supreme” starring Timothée Chalamet.

In a recent phone interview with the Bay Area Reporter, Bernhard reflected on her 43 years of varied TV and film roles that she’s played while not touring with her live show.

Adam Sandel: Describe the type of role that makes a casting director say, “Get Sandra Bernhard.”
Sandra Bernhard: Whether it’s comedy or drama, every actor who has forged their own path brings a certain gravitas to the role. So, it’s someone with a vision, or an understanding of what I’m capable of doing. I’ve evolved a lot as an actor, pulling the persona out of the role.

Tell me about your role in the upcoming film “Marty Supreme.”
I play the nosy neighbor and best friend of Fran Drescher who plays Timothée Chalamet’s mother. It’s a small role with two funny little scenes.

What will you be doing in the upcoming season of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”?
I play one of the witchy Gray Sisters, with Kristen Schaal and Margaret Cho. It’s a fun fantasy show, and we play “eye of newt, hair of dog” sorts of characters.

How did your role as the ominous Nurse Cecily in season two of the hit series “Severance” come about?
They called me a year ago January and asked if I’d be interested and I said, “Sure.” Working on that set was very intense and very focused. It was easy to fall into that world.

One of my favorite roles of yours was the compassionate Nurse Judy on “Pose.” Do you ever worry about being typecast as a nurse?
There are lots of different kinds of nurses. Nurse Judy was much more charitable and warmer than Cecily. On “Pose” I was struck by all those great trans actresses in the roles. Now trans performers are much more elevated and respected as artists.

Moving chronologically, what single memory comes to mind when you think of 1982’s “The King of Comedy”?
I’ve described every possible aspect of that role over the past 46 years, but holding my own with Robert DeNiro, and learning so much about acting in front of the camera with Martin Scorsese directing; it really was a crash course. It was definitely my breakout role.

How about your 1992 debut as the lesbian character Nancy on the hit series “Roseanne”?
It was really cutting edge at the time, and that was Roseanne, pushing the envelope. It was one of first fully realized lesbian characters at the time.

Tell me about playing a satirical version of yourself trying to sell your townhouse, twice, on “Will & Grace.”
It was just fun, nothing earth-shattering, just a fun, crazy show that hit the mark.

How about playing Fran Levinsky on “American Horror Story: NYC” in 2022?
There are so many characters on that show that interact with each other. I was supposed to be kooky and fun. It wasn’t earth-shattering, but it’s always fun to work.

Which performers did you admire most while you were growing up?
Carol Burnett, Carol Channing, Mary Tyler Moore, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Joni Mitchell, and Carole King. Growing up watching shows like “Laugh In,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” and “The Sonny and Cher Show” made me want to do all aspects of entertainment, including comedy and music. I took in all those influences, and that’s what I’m doing now.

What can audiences expect when you bring your show “Shapes and Forms” to Stanford on October 4?
I broke the ground for a lot of performers, pushing the boundaries of performance. I’ll be doing a lot of whimsical stories, curating the music, and including some political comedy that’s not too overdone.

Some stand-ups complain that today’s younger audiences get too easily offended by comedy. Have you noticed a difference in audience reactions to you, from when you started to today?
Not really. Everything I do is drawn on the personal and anecdotal. That’s what I’m really doing. Everyone is starving for entertainment now, feeling beaten up and terrified about what’s happening in the country.

Sandra Bernhard in “Shapes and Forms” at Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University, 327 Lasuen St. $16-$102. 7:30 pm October 4.

https://live.stanford.edu/events
https://www.sandrabernhard.com