Fast-paced and cleverly written without missing a beat (especially when it comes to grammar), NYC based comic Jenny Gorelick’s debut hour covers all the trials facing millennial straight women today; the ‘ideal’ 5-year-plan, the relationship labour imbalance for women, and whether serial killers would actually make more dedicated boyfriends.
Gorelick kicks us off with an analogy comparing her ex’s approach to commitment with a plane go-around; almost-but-not-quite landing, leaving her wishing for men with more agency. Her quick-witted hot-takes and uniquely femme flair are supplied in droves from the off. After sharing her online dating escapades, a particular date becomes the jumping off point for the rest of the show: Gorelick getting stood up by a man with a ‘sorry mom’ tattoo on his backside. Gorelick’s dexterity with writing is blatant in her response to this experience, not only in her stand up, but also in publishing an article about it in the New York Times, and, a book.
As Gorelick shares her musings on dating and relationships today, scattered throughout are punchy one-liners, witty gags and quick music-backed asides, which keep the pace of this hour so tight. A particular highlight of the show for me was watching Gorelick handle taboo topics, including 9/11, serial killers and Hitler’s relationship, and digging for humour in them. Gorelick claims: “something I find unbelievable about 9/11, I do believe in 9/11, is the fact that these men had to buy the plane tickets”. It takes a skilled comic voice to be able to approach these areas and keep the room comfortably with you, which Gorelick does, with ease.
With some brilliant callbacks to earlier gags, Gorelick ties the show together for us; a satisfying conclusion to a skillfully plotted and well-written debut hour.
You can catch SORRY every day until Sunday 30th August @ 6:25 PM at The Studio at Monkey Barrel Comedy (Niddry Street). Tickets here.
