What’s your new show about?
My biggest fear was dying on stage and then I nearly died for real, on stage. Suddenly, it wasn’t a big deal to have a bad gig or tell a joke that doesn’t work. Going through heart failure changed my perspective. We all know we’re going to die, but none of us believe it. That’s why we do stupid stuff like bungee jumping. We take so many risks. But when you’re actually faced with your own mortality and get a second chance, everything suddenly feels like a bonus – all the things I would have missed. This show is a lot more honest than I’ve ever been.
What was difficult about turning such a personal experience into comedy?
Being able to say it out loud without breaking. Even though this happened five years ago, a lot of what’s in the show has taken me that long to process to the point where I can actually talk about it on stage. It doesn’t necessarily get easier, it just becomes more necessary. When I previewed it, people really connected with certain parts, things hit home.
