Comedian Adrienne Iapalucci won the first-ever People’s Choice Opening Act Competition, beating out hundreds of contestants nationwide for the coveted spot to open for a headliner at the New York Comedy Festival. STAGE TIME talked to the Bronx, NY native about her recent achievement and opening for Bill Burr at Town Hall.
How does it feel to win the People’s Choice Opening Act Competition?
It was a tremendous honor that I was selected out of hundreds of participants nationwide. At the same time, I knew I was the first-ever winner, so I felt the bar was set high, and there were a lot of expectations. I was really excited when I found out I was going to open for Bill Burr. I am still taking in the fact that I am going to Los Angeles in January to receive a People’s Choice Award.
How would you describe your opening experience? Did you feel any pressure?
Pressure? I was opening up for one of the funniest guys in comedy. I was nervous the whole day. I was sick to my stomach, and I barely ate. The whole train ride to Town Hall, I thought if I got hit by a cab I wouldn’t have to perform, and everyone would understand. I knew what set I was going to do, but the day of the show, I was toying with the idea of changing the first line of my opening joke. But when it came down to the wire, I knew I had to stick with what I knew. As soon as I hit that stage and got my first laugh, I was the most comfortable I have ever been on stage. It was the most amazing experience of my life up until that point. I feel like everything I had learned and practiced had culminated at that very moment when I walked onstage.
How would you explain the difference between performing at a comedy club and playing at Town Hall?
For starters, probably 1300 people. The largest audience I had performed for up to that point was about 200 people. When I walked in before the show and saw the huge theater, my heart dropped. I was relieved when I realized that the people who were coming to this show were people who appreciated comedy, and were there for smart, thought-provoking comedy. They were there to see Bill Burr, and they knew whoever else was on the lineup was going to have a similar comedic style. It’s not like a comedy club where you are there seeing sometimes 6-10 different acts, with a waitress taking drink orders, and people are walking in front of the stage to go to the bathroom. These people loved comedy, they paid to see a show.
What helpful advice did you receive before your performance?
What really helped before my set was talking with Paul Virzi, who was also on the show, and is hilarious. He talked to me, and told me not to be nervous, that I was the winner of the People’s Choice Opening Act Competition. They picked me for a reason. He told me just to go out there and have fun, and that’s what I did.
How has winning the competition affected your career?
It has given me a lot of positive reinforcement. Through the years, I have received praise for my writing and comedy, but it was nice to have people in the industry recognize my talent. I have been in contact with representation, and have had some other opportunities presented to me. I had the chance to meet with Caroline Hirsch of Carolines, and contacts within the United Entertainment Group, who also produced the New York Comedy Festival, in conjunction with Carolines. I met with Corey Kilgannon, who wrote an article about me in the New York Times last week. I was also in contact with Mike Jaccarino who wrote an article about me in the New York Daily News. All this, needless to say, was really cool.
What would you like to achieve next?
I just want to keep writing and being as funny as I can. I look forward to new opportunities, and going wherever else this comedy journey takes me. I do want to thank everyone who has been so supportive and voted for me and made this all possible.
-Tasha Harris
