Talking Laughter, Liberation, and PVD with Alok Vaid-Menon

Hey Rhody: Welcome back to Providence! What do you think of our fair city? 

I've performed in Providence a couple of times. I always say that the "skinny jeans per capita" is high in PVD -- there are so many artists! I feel such an affinity with the place, a lot of creative people with an intimate relationship with their imagination. Also, I really like the pizza at Nice Slice. 

Hey Rhody: What can audiences expect from an Alok show? What's different about seeing you live and in person versus on YouTube or social media? 

Wordplay, satire, irony, irreverence, camp, melodrama. Laughing until the point of tears. And maybe crying to the point of laughter? 

The thing about social media is you're typically watching it alone. I think comedy feels best in an audience. Something happens when we're a part of a crowd laughing. It's a really special experience: having a crowd of people come together out of delight and wonder, not fear and prejudice. 

Hey Rhody: Your Providence show is on October 11 - National Coming Out Day. What significance does that have for LGBTQ+ visibility? 

Now more than ever it's important that we are visible in our support of LGBTQ+ creative expression. We have to learn from our (trans)ancestors -- visibility is a form of possibility, a portal to hope. It reminds us that we are not alone, that we are part of something so much greater than ourselves. 

Hey Rhody: Did you know that the newly renovated Uptown Theater, where you'll be performing, is a former “adult movie" theater? How will that enhance your performance? 

Guess this means I shouldn't really knock the audience's socks off...I had no idea this was the case. How amusing. I suppose this history guarantees a very captive audience...and I'll do my best to keep them just as engaged.

Hey Rhody: Give me one reason why EVERYONE should come see your show. 

Because if this doesn’t work out, I’ll have to start a podcast, and frankly our country has already been through enough.

Don't miss the show! See Alok at the Uptown Theater on Saturday, October 11 at 7 PM. Tickets at alokvmenon.com  or uptownpvd.com.