Paula Poundstone brings decades of improvisation and audience connection to The Park Theatre

JAFFREY — Every stand-up comedian develops a unique voice, but for Paula Poundstone, finding hers was less about changing who she was than becoming more comfortable with being herself. When Poundstone takes the stage at The Park Theatre on Friday, Aug. 7, audiences can expect an evening shaped by conversation as much as comedy. While she has spent more than four decades performing in theaters and concert halls across the country, she says the most memorable moments often come not from prepared material, but from the people sitting in front of her. "In the beginning, I tried to fit in with the way the comics around me worked," Poundstone said. "Over time, I just started allowing myself. The more me I became, the funnier my shows got. It wasn't a huge overhaul. I didn't reinvent the wheel. It was subtle, and probably had more to do with what's in my head than what other people could see." That evolution has helped define a career that has made Poundstone one of the country's most recognizable stand-up comedians. While many know her today as a longtime panelist on NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" or from her podcast, "Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone," live performance remains the foundation of her work. Unlike comics whose performances follow a tightly scripted routine, Poundstone's shows often develop organically through conversations with audience members. Those exchanges become part of the performance, creating a different experience from one night to the next. "The whole thing is the audience," she said. "Here in Los Angeles, there is a wonderful theater that used to be a post office. I used to mail stuff, and buy stamps at that post office, and I would often make jokes when I was there. People seemed annoyed by me. A couple of weeks ago I performed at the theater, and the place rang with laughter for the whole two hours I was on stage. It's the audience." That emphasis on audience interaction has become one of the defining characteristics of her performances. Rather than relying on elaborate production or visual effects, Poundstone says her act is built around conversation and everyday experiences. "I stand on stage, and I talk," she said. "There are no pyrotechnics, no aerobatics. I talk about taking care of a house full of animals, trying to understand what's happening in our country, and, of course, my favorite part is just talking to the audience where little biographies of audience members emerge, and I use that to set my sails." Those unscripted conversations often begin with simple questions before evolving into stories and observations that connect with broader themes. The approach has allowed Poundstone to build a career that spans television, radio, books and podcasting while continuing to tour extensively. Poundstone first gained national attention through stand-up comedy in the 1980s, later appearing in multiple HBO specials, including "Cats, Cops and Stuff," which earned a CableACE Award for Best Comedy Special. She also became the first woman to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner, has written two books, and has lent her voice to Pixar's "Inside Out" films as Forgetter Paula. Although audiences may recognize her from those roles, it is her live performances that continue to distinguish her career. Because audience participation is woven throughout each show, no two performances are exactly alike. For The Park Theatre, Poundstone's appearance adds another nationally touring performer to a calendar that has increasingly mixed music, theater, film and comedy as the nonprofit venue continues to expand its programming in downtown Jaffrey. Her visit also offers Monadnock Region audiences an opportunity to experience a style of stand-up that relies less on spectacle and more on interaction, observation and spontaneity. As for what she hopes audiences take away from an evening together, Poundstone's answer extends beyond laughter itself. "I hope their faces hurt from laughter," she said. "People often tell me this happens to them. I hope they get an endorphin shower in their brains that lasts for days. I hope something that's funny gets stuck in their memory, and every time they open the silverware drawer they think of it, and laugh again. I hope they feel more human. I hope I'm not the only one who needs a National Holiday to get through all of my undeleted emails." Paula Poundstone will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at The Park Theatre in Jaffrey. Tickets are available through the theater's box office and website.