THE POWER OF POSITIVE DARKNESS
COMEDIAN MELISSA McGILLICUDDY DISCUSSES DIRTY MICROPHONES, PAT BENATAR AND WHY YOU SHOULDN’T INVITE HER ON YOUR NEXT CAMPING TRIP WORDS ROBERT BERRY • PHOTO ASHLEY HAYES-STONE
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elissa McGillicuddy hates camping, but she loves comedy. A part of the Sacramento comedy scene for more than four years now, she’s gone from an open mic performer to a leader in the community. Recently promoted to the role of Stand-Up Program Director at Sacramento Comedy Spot, McGillicuddy also co-produces FemmeFest, the pop-up Moving Van Show and the improv/stand-up hybrid Comedy Exchange. Top that off with hosting a comedy workshop and teaching weekly stand-up classes, she’s one of the busiest comedians in town. Known for material that is dark, racy and often shocking, I’ve seen her create a mixture of shock, confusion, and hilarity with a crowd that few comics can imagine. Whether it’s talking about accessorizing her black outfit with a black tampon while performing at a Satanic Temple meeting, or reminding folks how tasty we are to bears, her mixture of cute and revolting is hilarious. But her style has evolved. McGillicuddy is well-loved and respected among her peers. Fellow comic Shahera Hyatt told me, “Her timing is impeccable, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better host. She’s never afraid to have a wrench thrown in her spokes during a set; in fact, her quick humor thrives on it.” Luke Soin, producer of Epic Tiki Podcast (which is filmed in a hot tub) says, “Melissa has a very unique and strong comedy mind.” Comedy Spot honcho Brian Crall mentioned that she was a great producer and instructor citing, “Her work ethic, professionalism and ability to bring out the best in people make her the perfect fit!” I’ve been enjoying her comedy since she started, and it’s been fun to see her evolve from a disturbing waif talking about “pussy eyes” and asking the crowd if anyone wanted to fuck her, to a more positiveminded performer who … still talks about equally gross stuff. A longtime Comedy Spot open mic host, McGillicuddy would often be the only one laughing when I told a joke with a punch line that involved my father’s semen. So when I was asked by the Submerge royalty to write an article about her, you can bet that I leaped at the chance. Full disclosure, I am performing on a show McGillicuddy produces on Aug. 16, but I was booked before I was going to write this, so it’s not like this is some fucking scandal or something. Sit back and savor this interview I conducted while I had a nut burger and she enjoyed a Cubano with jalapenos at Selland’s on Broadway.
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Issue 298 • August 14 – August 28, 2019
Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas