Yolanda Shoshana Talks With Bricken Sparacino of Comedy Period

Comedy Period, a monthly comedy variety show at The P.I.T. (The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 W. 29th Street), is unique in that it features an all-woman lineup. I recently caught up with the troupe’s founder, Bricken Sparacino, to find out more about this comedy with wings.

Yolanda Shoshana: What should the world know about Bricken Sparacino?

Bricken Sparacino: Start with the hardest question why don't you? How do you answer this without sounding either egotistical or crazy? Well, I'm a Gemini who likes long walks on the beach and Rock and Roll Karaoke. Seriously, I have been performing in New York for along time now. I also write, direct, and produce. I am the happy creator of Comedy Period, the monthly all woman comedy variety show. I enjoy comedy because I love making people laugh, but it is also a good way to make people think. If you get on stage and complain about, oh let's say the President, no one will listen. But if you make them laugh while making you point, they will hear you (or walk out in a huff).

Yolanda Shoshana: Why did you start Comedy Period?

Bricken Sparacino: My husband, Michael Birch, and I produced a weekly co-ed comedy show for almost three years at the Gershwin Hotel (The 10:17 Comedy Night). We had a great time and then we lost our space, which gave me an opportunity to focus on what kind of show I really wanted to do. I realized there were a lot of shows run by male comics that would have five or six male comics to every female comic. I then realized I was a woman and if I produce something, why not a female run show with all female talent. I wanted it to be the kind of show where anything goes, any topic, any kind of comedy, as long as it's funny. So I decided on a variety show. So far we have had women do stand up, sketches, music, solo characters and selections from one woman shows. We
have had great response from our audiences; they seem to love the variety.

Yolanda Shoshana: Comedy Period is a clever name, how did you come up with it?

Bricken Sparacino: Well, I knew I wanted a name that would let every one know what we were up to. And when I settled on a monthly show I said to my self "hmm, once a month just like a woman. It could be our comedy period." The Aunt Flow Comedy Extravaganza was also in the running, but I decided it was to long.

Yolanda Shoshana: The troupe is now in its second season so what is next for Comedy Period?

Bricken Sparacino: We will take a summer break after our July 10th show. And then on to season 3, I am hoping to move the show to a Thursday or Friday. Also Girl Talk: Cradle to Grave, a two woman show developed by myself and fellow Perioder, Natalie Wilder, is being considered to be part of this years Fringe Festival. We have been developing the characters over the course of the last five years, in part at Comedy Period. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Comedy Period performs once a month. For more information about the show: www.comedyperiod.com