Bridget Everett Wants to Party With You

You may know Bridget Everett from Amy Schumer's television show, where she's gained notoriety from performing original songs as "Titties" and "Put Your Dick Away." Or from last year's Comedy Central special "Bridget Everett: Gynecological Wonder," which was filmed at her home-base, New York's Joe's Pub, where she performs regularly.

In all likelihood once you've seen the fearless Everett, you'll likely never forget her. Take the moment in the special when she wanders in the audience in a black-and-white, jungle-print mini-dress and straddles the seat of a most surprised audience member, kisses her and attempts to transfer a hard candy into her unsuspecting fan's mouth.

Everett is more a force-of-nature than a stand-up comic. She sings in a full, throaty contralto that brings to mind Janis Joplin and performs in the bawdy style that established Bette Midler back in the day. Actually what Everett does tends to do defy definition. She calls her mix of song and commentary "alt-cabaret" - a genre that takes that most decorous of art-forms and turns it on its head. What else can you say about a performer who sprays whipped cream in her crotch and asks an audience member to eat it. You don't get to see that at a Michael Feinstein show.

In the past few years Everett has developed a strong following in the downtown New York performance scene, mostly with her shows at the Public Theater's Joe's Pub where she performs with her band the Tender Moments. She has collaborated with numerous show-biz heavy-weights, such as Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz (who is a member of her band), the Broadway team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, whose credits include "Hairspray" and the backstage-on-Broadway television series "Smash," and even Patti Lupone, with whom she sang during that singer's Carnegie Hall concert.

"Ms. Everett, a downtown cult figure, has a big voice, a big body and a mighty capacity for testing boundaries -- both her own and the audience's," wrote the New York Times Stephen Holden in reviewing her 2014 show "Rock Bottom." "This unbridled performer makes the breast-baring, mouthy Bette Midler of the 1970s seem like Julie Andrews trilling and twirling on that mountaintop in 'The Sound of Music,'" Isherwood adds.

Everett is embarking on a national tour that brings her to Washington DC and Boston this week, then back to New York where she moves up to midtown to perform at Town Hall on November 3. She follows that gig with Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Tampa, Miami and Dallas, which makes this a very busy fall for the talented Everett. (For more information about the tour, visit Everett's website.

EDGE caught with Everett recently to talk about her upcoming tour and career.

A new show?

EDGE: What will you be doing on this tour -- a new show, perhaps?

Bridget Everett: I'm still mapping out on the show. But you can count on seeing the hits and there are always some surprises. We'll be making some memories for sure.

EDGE: Many find it hard to categorize you as an artist. How do you describe what you do?

Bridget Everett: I have a hard time describing it, too, but I guess you could say my performance is a boozy, rock and roll, comedy thrill ride with tits, money notes and a few tender moments sprinkled in. Expect the unexpected and we'll make memories that none of us will be able to shake for years to come.

EDGE: Are the Tender Moments performing with you?

Bridget Everett: Only in NYC and LA!

EDGE: Did you initially train to sing opera?

Bridget Everett: I did! I loved it, too, but I also love drinking and staying up late and that really affected the clarity of my tone. So I designed a style of performance and singing that works for me and my lifestyle and I've never been happier!

Her dirty mouth

EDGE: How did songwriting happen for you? by accident!

Bridget Everett: I wanted to do an album of covers and talked to my friend, Adam Horovitz about producing it. He was like, 'no -- you gotta do originals!' So I just started brainstorming. I was playing catch with my friends in the park and while I was shagging balls during batting practice, I started singing about all different kinds of titties. It cracked me up, but I thought it was probably too ridiculous. I told Adam the idea and he said, 'look, ridiculous worked pretty well for my band (Beastie Boys), I think it will work for you, too.' I've been following that advice ever since.

EDGE: I read where Kiki and Herb were an inspiration for you as a performer -- what was it like seeing them for the first time?

Bridget Everett: They really blew my mind and changed the course of my life. I had never seen anything like them and still haven't. I knew about rock and roll and musical theater and opera and comedy, but their show kind of married all those performance styles and went beyond. I learned a lot from watching them. Transformative.

EDGE: You have said you have a dirty mouth. Has that ever gotten you in trouble?

Bridget Everett: Ha! Less my mouth than what I do with my body!

Any limits?

EDGE: Do you have any limits as a performer?

Bridget Everett: Not really. I go with what feels good in the moment. I have an intense tunnel vision while doing the show with the ultimate goal being that everyone walks out of the show feeling like they've just been to a great party. That can mean slow dancing with a grandpa, sitting on someone's face or going off the rails in a way that might make me blush in the light of day. But it's all worth it and there's not a lot I wouldn't do to make an audience smile.

EDGE: I read in an interview that you are 'practically demure' in your private life. Do you agree with that description?

Bridget Everett: Yes. I have a dog now and we spend a lot of time relaxing on the couch. I don't go out much. I guess that's so I can shore up all my energy for the stage. It's a good balance and I'm very happy. Plus, my dog is so fucking cute. I never knew I could love something or someone so much.

EDGE: Will you be lifting up an audience member onto the stage?

Bridget Everett: Always!

EDGE: If there's no Chardonnay available, what do you drink?

Bridget Everett: Yikes! Vodka is my back is against the wall! And I'll drink margaritas when I go out for date night with my dog, Poppy.

EDGE: With your career on the upswing, what do you think of being a celebrity?

Bridget Everett: I like maintaining a low profile. I'm very happy with where I am now... the occasional picture and some hugs on the street.

EDGE: And what about theater - have you thought of taking a role in a play or musical?

Bridget Everett: I started out wanting to be on broadway. I'd love to have that opportunity one day but that eight shows a week stuff is pretty intense!

Bridget Everett comes to Washington DC's Lincoln Theatre on Friday, October 28 and Boston's House of Blues on Saturday, October 29. For tickets to these shows and to see the complete tour list, visit Everett's website.

Watch this short documentary about Bridget Everett:

Watch Bridget Everett sing Rihanna's "S&M":