You are a comedian, actress and playwright, tell us a little about your background and how you got started.
MG: My parents were both respected performers in the Latino community in New York City. My dad was a comedian and producer. My mom was a dancer and actress. I’m a lousy dancer but I was always passionate about comedy and creating shows since I was a kid. At 20 I left home for San Francisco to be wild and gay and fell into a pack of queer performers. The gay comedy scene was beginning and so was solo theater. I got my foot in both doors in the 80’s and have made my way in the arts ever since.
You’ve got a one woman show ‘Not Getting Any Younger‘ at the Marsh in SF that has been extended a second time. I laughed my ass off at your show! What is the craziest thing that’s happened between you and the audience since the run began?
MG: The craziest thing that ever happened at my show this year was a 4.2 earthquake when I was ironically singing “Rock-A-Bye Baby.” I couldn’t feel it from the stage but I heard a crack and the audience got jolted. They start freaking out, talking amongst themselves and some people ran out. I thought it was because of my singing. When I realized it was an earthquake I decided to keep going because the show must go on. Not a lot of laughs that night.
Let me tell you about the most exciting thing that happened which was getting great press reviews after opening night and attracting a whole new diverse audience. I couldn’t be happier with how the show turned out. I’m thrilled that ‘Not Getting Any Younger’ just got extended at The Marsh for 7 weeks starting January 2012.
It started out as a two minute routine about how I hated being called “Ma’am” and has developed into a 90 minute comedy about mortality and vanity.
What are you doing that no one else is doing?
MG: In 90 minutes I can lower cholesterol and extend the length of female orgasm.
How do you use social marketing to your advantage?
MG: Best thing about the internet is the ability to impact people in remote areas, overseas or who are living in crappy personal circumstances. To do that I try adding fresh content to a few of my internet hangouts.
First and foremost I keep my website margagomez.com banging and updated. When I fall behind I’ll use my twitter account twitter.com/margagomez to post info on last minute shows, ticket deals or what I had for lunch. I’ll also say personal things on twitter that I won’t post anywhere else.
At www.facebook.com/MargaGomezComedy is where I post videos and photos and interact with fans. No Linked-In for me, forgot my password and it’s not my style. Last but not least I’ve got loads of video clips on youtube.com/margagomezcomedy.
What can we expect from Marga Gomez in 2012?
MG: More subversiveness and sass. I also hope to finally grow my bangs out. By Spring 2012 I aim to be selling my performance footage via my website for streaming and download.
Anything To Add?
MG: Yes. Save $5 to see “Not Getting Any Younger” by entering TWIST at online checkout under ‘Marsh Special’ discount code.
http://www.themarsh.org/marga_gomez.html
