The Comedienne Project

By Katie Hannigan and Corrine Fisher
Part of the 2015 New York International Fringe Festival

Off Off Broadway, Solo Show
Runs through 8.27.15
VENUE #8: Under St. Marks, 94 St. Marks Place

by Adrienne Urbanski on 8.28.15

Corinne Fisher and Katie Hannigan in The Comedienne Project.

BOTTOM LINE: This show presents a chance to see two hilarious stand-up acts from two female comics, well known in NYC's comedy scene.

Despite recent assertions by male comedians that women are not capable of being funny, female comedians seem to be increasing in numbers at stand-up comedy shows all across New York City. Two veterans of these shows, Katie Hannigan (who I’ve seen countless times at comedy nights in bars in Brooklyn and Long Island City) and Corrine Fisher, created their Fringe show The Comedienne Project to challenge sexist perceptions about women in comedy. Before beginning the stand-up sets that comprise their show, the two perform as stereotypes of female comedians, pretending to be militant feminists and an Italian housewife. Through these stereotypes the women challenge the expectations and stereotypes attached to women in comedy, and the sort of life experiences shared through female stand-up sets.

Hannigan’s set consists of her playing up her Midwestern naiveté and cracking jokes about the harshness of her life in New York City with feuding roommates and run down, cockroach-infested living conditions. Hannigan turns her good girl nerdy Midwest personality into a caricature of herself and pokes fun at her own goody two shoe ways. Fisher meanwhile, pokes fun at her promiscuous ways, challenging society’s habit of slut-shaming. (Fisher is also known for hosting a popular podcast in which she laments for the sake of humor on her sexual misadventures). She also discusses being held back in life due to her “Jew face” and considers TLC’s “Waterfalls” to be an inspiring song. Much like Hannigan, she also makes jokes about her life in New York City and the endless difficulties the city brings her.

Both Hannigan and Fisher show a lot of skill in their jokes and in their delivery, proving themselves to be names worth remembering in the city’s stand-up comedy scene. I hope to see both of these talented women on the stage again soon, again with the audience doubled over in laughter.

(The Comedienne Project plays at VENUE #8: Under St. Marks, 94 St. Marks Place, through August 27, 2015. Performances are Sat 8/15 at 8:45; Tue 8/18 at 5:15; Thu 8/20 at 3:30; Sat 8/22 at 8:45; and Thu 8/27 at 6:30. Tickets are $18 and are available at fringenyc.org. For more information visit thecomedienneproject.tumblr.com.)