Armed with sharp wit, unapologetic humor and new Netflix special, stand-up comedian Chelsea Handler will land in Rochester this month to headline Rochester Fringe Festival’s opening weekend with a one-night-only performance on Saturday, September 13.
“I think my new hour is perfectly suited for a festival like this,” Handler said in a recent phone interview.
As a television host, producer and seven-time “New York Times” best-selling author in addition to her extensive stand-up career, Handler feels it’s her responsibility to create an atmosphere to bring people together.
“The backdrop that we’re living in is depressing,” she said.” I mean, every day is a new nightmare … And I think people in times like these really need a reprieve more than ever.”
Handler’s goal for this and every show she performs is to give audiences a brief escape from the world’s troubles — whether the stress is global or personal — so they leave feeling better than when they arrived.
Festival producer and CEO of the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Erica Fee said the nonprofit organization’s mission is not only to bring new arts experiences to the community, but also bring in big-time comedians like Handler.
“Every year we try to book a comedy headliner that we know is going to get everybody talking,” Fee said. “We felt that this year was Chelsea’s year … She is a strong female voice, and we thought that she would resonate very well with Fringe audiences.”
Part of Fringe’s mission is to provide experiences the residents of Rochester and surrounding areas might not otherwise have year-round. The festival genres range from “comedy, music and dance to children’s entertainment and shows that, frankly, can’t be classified,” said Fee.
She added that the feeling of community within the festival’s 12-day period is palpable and increases the self-esteem of the people of Rochester.
“My favorite part is the reaction we get from the audience, when I’m able to look out and see an audience experiencing joy or being moved or just really connecting with a show,” Fee said. “When I see the looks on people’s faces I think, ‘Gosh, this was all worth it,’ because it takes an entire year, of course, to put on the festival.”
Handler, in particular, is someone Fringe has wanted to book for a while. She recently released a special on Netflix, published her seventh book — “I’ll Have What She’s Having” — and has a residency at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas through the end of November. Given these factors and Handler’s recent media appearances, Fee thought she would be a great fit for this year’s festival.
While the more superstar artists may draw crowds, Fee said the festival really encourages attendees to try something different. As most Fringe shows are about an hour in length, it allows people to sample more than one show in a night.
Handler, who last performed locally at Kodak Center in November 2021, is an honest storyteller, and doesn’t shy away from “the good, the bad and the ugly.” Her comedy, like most stand-up, is very personal.
“My whole show is me roasting myself. That is where I begin and where I end … It’s very self-effacing and it’s all about me living a life,” Handler said. “I’m a rich idiot, basically. I talk about that a lot. It’s less about making fun of other people and more about making fun of myself.”
Handler took a break from stand-up for a few years, which she said helped her focus and recalibrate, but knew she was ready to start doing stand-up again when experiences in life started to be funny.
It was on tour for her 2019 book “Life Will Be the Death of Me …and You Too!” that Handler reignited her love for stand-up. On the tour, she realized conversations about her therapy and self-truths were an inherently good place to start creating “Evolution,” which debuted on HBO Max in 2020. She’ll draw from her latest Netflix special, “Chelsea Handler: The Feeling,” for her Fringe debut.
Handler will perform for one night only at 8 p.m. on September 13 in Kodak Hall. Tickets start at $41. rochesterfringe.com
