In the 1980s, Grace O’Keefe’s mother was told her book on dating would set feminism back 20 years. Now transformed into a comedy musical, the award-winning O’Keefe shares this unapologetic how-to guide with the world as she unpacks relationships, romance, and living life to the fullest. It is time to determine where feminism lies in today’s dating scene. Featuring original music and a one-of-a-kind insight into the world of dating, this is a charmingly addictive musical romp through the alphabet.
How did you get into comedy writing and producing etc?
I moved to the UK in 2019 to study Theatre Directing with Katie Mitchell OBE. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given Mitchell’s oeuvre, many of my classmates were more interested in serious theatre than comedy. Luckily, I soon found an ally in Erin Holland, a fellow former teacher who was studying playwriting. We have worked together ever since, creating our company and comedy duo The Queens of Cups, debuting the two-time EdFringe sell-out Bad Teacher, which was written and performed by Erin and directed by me, and even winning ‘Best Newcomers’ at the Musical Comedy Awards in 2024. I am very excited to be trading hats with Erin, who will now be directing my solo-show debut this Fringe!
Tell us about your comedy style.
I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by funny women since birth who have made their mark on my comedy, first and foremost, my mother. I Love Lucy was practically gospel in my house growing up, as Lucille Ball shaped my mom’s own brand of being a funny woman. Throughout my life, Musical Theatre has always been my greatest passion and I find it easiest to be funny within the strict confines of a lyric. That being said, there is a big dash of contemporary alt-comedy in my style, as I love to shamelessly merge mediums like drag, clown, and burlesque.
What’s your show about and where can we see it?
An A to Z Guide to Dating is a one-woman musical based on the real dating advice book that my mother wrote in the 1980s, in which I play my mother. The book was sent to one publisher, who rejected it, claiming “this will set feminism back 20 years”. Forty years later you can find out if it will do just that, every day of the Edinburgh Fringe at 5:15pm at the Underbelly (Buttercup).
Where do you get your inspiration from?
As someone with a Gemini stellium in my fifth house, yes, I am both a musical theatre and astrology girlie, doubly insufferable, I find a lot of my best inspiration comes from talking. Despite the Atlantic separating my mother and me, we video call multiple times a week, and our discussions often send me right to my notes app to jot down something she said for the show. The latest addition is, “I wasn’t a prick tease! Well… maybe sometimes.” Sorry, Mom!
What do you think makes great comedy?
Unfortunately, because it is hard to capture and sustain, it is a sense of the unexpected, something that catches you by surprise. That is always what I guffaw at the most, and to be fair, I am a big guffaw-er. Honesty is also key, but I find the two often go hand in hand.
Any advice for those taking their first show to Edinburgh?
This is my fifth time going up to Edinburgh attached to a show, so I know firsthand it truly is the best time in the world if you let it be. Remember, it is essentially summer camp and being at Edinburgh is a win in itself. You can spin any Fringe journey for the better, so do not worry too much about comparing yourself to other shows or other people. Fringe does not provide the journey you want, instead it gives you the journey you, and your show, need.
What have you been working on?
My other show currently in development is a musical adaptation of Sense & Sensibility, which I am writing with Thomas F. Arnold. The show was commissioned last summer by the British Youth Music Theatre and we have been workshopping it in universities and hope to have a professional production on the horizon. In the meantime, an EP will be released shortly, so stay tuned!
Summoning Sondheim, which I took to Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, co-written and performed with Jordana Belaiche, will also most likely be returning to Off-Broadway sometime in the near future.
What do you love about comedy writing and producing?
The best thing about doing what I do is the people! There are very few jobs where you get to hang out and laugh with some of the funniest people you have ever met and I am very lucky to have so many fabulous, hilarious collaborators.
Tickets and more information about An A to Z Guide to Dating can be found here!
