Paula Poundstone, her interest piqued, leans forward.
The veteran comedian asks for the baffling random phrase to be repeated from the Annapolis crowd so she’s sure she heard it right.
“Here we go, Alice.”
Poundstone paused. She was confused by the unique response to a routine question to an audience member. She quickly transitioned to amusement and sprinkled the phrase throughout the remainder of her Dec. 2, 2017, show at Rams Head On Stage.
Poundstone demonstrated her comedic agility throughout the performance by interacting with the crowd. She said crowd work is an essential part of her show.
“It’s my favorite part of the night,” Poundstone said. “No two shows are the same as a result. I use the conversation with the crowd to set my sails.”
Poundstone returns to Rams Head On Stage on Dec. 15. She said she generally plays larger venues — such as a recent performance at the University of California-Davis with its Jackson Hall that seats 1,800. She said she returns to 312-seat Rams Head annually out of loyalty because it hired her about two decades ago.
“If it’s not the smallest place I work, it’s damn near,” Poundstone said. “It’s fun. I’ve had good experiences. Why change now?”
Annapolis is an annual late-year stop for Poundstone. She said Rams Head’s low stage puts her right in the thick of the crowd.
That proximity spurs audience interactions.
“That lends itself to those conversations,” she said. “I never know what I’m looking for when I’m talking to people other than a connection.”
After 39 years as a stand-up comedian, Poundstone said she feels fortunate her job is making people laugh. She said the adrenaline rush she felt after getting her first laugh returns each time she’s in front of an audience.
“It gets better and better with time,” she said. “It’s magical every time it happens. I am the luckiest person in the world. I am a proud member of the endorphin production industry.”
Poundstone’s stand-up material often touches on politics, her family and her “houseful” of pets. She’s a regular panelist on NPR’s “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” program and hosts a podcast titled “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone.”
The unapologetic liberal said her shows inevitably delve into the divisive political climate.
“You can’t help but talk about politics,” she said. “Every day is a new horror show.”
Poundstone’s appearance at Rams Head On Stage is part of the Annapolis venue’s stand-up comedy lineup which features T.J. Miller (Dec. 9), Sinbad (Dec. 27), Sean Servis (Jan. 9) and Tom Papa (Jan. 26).
Annapolis audiences can expect Poundstone to continue interacting with her audience. For her, it’s a source of untapped and original material.
“If you talk to anyone long enough, you find out they are madder than a hatter and they always have great things to say,” Poundstone said.
