Courtesy photoRenowned television personality, movie star and comedienne. No matter what distinction is given to Caroline Rhea, the watchword remains: “funny.”
Rhea has appeared on TV in such shows as “Sabrina, The Teenage Witch” and “Hollywood Squares.” Her big-screen credits include roles in films like “Man on the Moon” and “Christmas with the Kranks.” She is also the host of the hugely popular reality show “The Biggest Loser” on CBS.
Rhea will be performing her hilarious brand of comedy this Saturday, Oct. 13 in the intimate Spanos Theatre. Showtime is slated for 8 p.m.
Rhea spoke about performing in smaller venues, such as the 500-seat Spanos Theater, in comparison to larger ones.
“Even if it’s 500 people, I like when I can see everybody and we can chat,” Rhea said. “I like the feeling of everybody being included.”
She said that a smaller audience offers more of an opportunity for crowd participation.
“My show is completely interactive,” Rhea said. “This is my audience and I want to know who they are and what we all have in common.”
Rhea spoke about her conversational style of comedy. She said that she often takes advantage of otherwise overlooked opportunities.
“I think that as a female comedian, you get to voice a lot of things that people won’t necessarily say, but you know they are thinking,” Rhea said.
Her opening act is a comedian by the name of Costaki Economopoulos. Rhea dished out the real scoop on both their working and personal relationship.
“Costaki is very funny,” Rhea said. “We’ve been working together for about four years.”
After a brief pause, Rhea threw in the inevitable juicy twist.
“We’re also boyfriend and girlfriend,” she said.
As for her favorite male and female comedian, Rhea didn’t hesitate to name who topped her list.
“For my favorite female comedian, I always wanted to be Carol Burnette,” Rhea replied, “and for favorite male comedian, I wanted to be Johnny Carson.”
When asked who had the biggest influence over her comedy style while still an up-and-comer, Rhea gave a surprisingly candid response.
“Truly, it’s my mother,” Rhea responded. “My mother is really funny; she’s got a great sense of humor and she’s also the smartest person I know.”
One last hypothetical question was posed to Rhea. When asked if she were to wake up tomorrow morning and was no longer allowed to be a comedienne, she said she’d choose investment banking.
“I had an economics minor in college,” Rhea said, “so I’d be an investment banker because I like teaching people how to save money.”
“I’m completely self-taught and I’m pretty good at it.”
Rhea’s comedy career began nearly two decades ago in New York City. Having cut her comedic teeth at New York’s Catch a Rising Star comedy club and advancing to such venues as “Caroline’s Comedy Hour” and “Comic Strip Live,” Rhea’s career has flourished ever since.
Lisa Woske, public affairs coordinator for Cal Poly Arts, spoke of Rhea’s upcoming appearance. “She is going to come on stage and give the audience a great show.”
Tickets for Caroline Rhea are currently on sale at the Performing Arts Center box office located on Grand Avenue. Tickets will also be available at the Spanos Theatre box office the night of the performance. Ticket prices are $28 for the general public and $22 for Cal Poly students.
If tickets remain 30 minutes before the show, they will be sold at student rush discount for $5.