NOT Another Drag Show

12 July 2002

YMS Music Centre

By Sam

A Word from The Producer ...

NOT Another Drag Show has indeed been a very fulfilling experience for me personally. Although I'm thankful the show was considered sucessful, it was the process that meant more to me. Having sung countlessly, and acted occasionally, on stage stand-up comedy was an area of performance that I've never attempted. It was too challenging, difficult and stressful.

I was asked once to perform stand-up comedy, but had to reject that offer due to time constraints. It was a relief also, because I knew that it was going to be a gargantuan task learning the ropes for stand-up comedy. However, when Jason approached me to provide stand-up comedy, I agreed with some hesitation. Although it was for a worthy cause, this meant that it was a "make it or break it" situation for me. If I failed at it, I would probably never want to attempt stand-up comedy again.

Rehearsals for the concert started two weeks before D-Day although the show was conceptualised two months back. The songs were coming along, and the soloists were in tip-top shape, having learnt their stuff well. Kok Wei hopped on-board a week to the concert, beefing up the repertoire while upping the laughter stakes. Pianists were cajoled into helping out. Photos were taken and the programme leaflet sent to the printers just in time to be collected on the concert day itself. Everything was running relatively smoothly, except ME!

I could not finalise my segments — which jokes to tell, how to make it flow. There was no one to teach me how to perform stand-up comedy, so I turned to clips of Margaret Cho and Better Midler for inspiration. I found my style to fit Margaret Cho's better, and eventually taught myself the ropes. I was stressed — I knew there'd be comparisons to the great local stand-up comedian, Kumar (whom I think is REALLY hilarious), so I steered clear of Kumar's trademark rascist jokes. Another major concern was — what if no one laughed?

I had to test my jokes on a select audience who were already quite familiar with my jokes, and they helped me gauge which jokes to put in, which ones to take out. And eventually, the materials for my segment was only finalised in the afternoon of the concert! Jason must have suspected that I was very stressed out before the show, for he brought red wine backstage a half hour before the show started. Was I thankful for the wine! Backstage, people were busy putting on make-up, running around, memorising lyrics, and here I was, trying to psyche myself up with wine ....

Frankly, my greatest concern was whether people could separate my onstage persona and the offstage me. I was apprehensive, and early on considered pulling out of the show.

I was also worried that doing this stand-up comedy might stumble someone. Here was this person professing to be Christian, yet he's on stage spewing jokes, some bordering on crass. Would it be bad testimony? What if someone, who didn't know the real me, left the show thinking that I was this alcoholic, slutty bitch? What if some people were offended by the jokes? It was a real concern and the questions plagued me.

Eventually, Clarence and Kenneth helped me to put some things in perspective, and after some praying, I felt more at ease and went ahead. Now upon hindsight and some feedback, I am glad I did the show. I am joyous and thankful that some people told me the concert made them see Safehaven in a more positive light, and that it touched them. The laughter and applause was much appreciated, but it was comments like these that made it all worth the effort.

We are thinking of holding another concert at the end of the year so if you have any comments or suggestions about the concert please email me at webmaster@oursafehaven.com.

All praise be to God.