“They say “you can never go home again,” but I refuse to believe that’s true, and am anxious to prove that axiom wrong.”
WHO: Naomi Grossman
WHAT: “Emmy-nominated actress, Naomi Grossman made a name for herself as Pepper on American Horror Story, the fan-favourite and first crossover character. This side-splitting one-woman show shares her darkly fabulous and profoundly revealing behind-the-scenes experiences leading up to AHS and its afterglow. Winner of the BroadwayWorld Award for Best Solo Production, this love letter to AHS fans chronicles Naomi’s history of hustling, from her odd jobs to her even odder love life. Off-Broadway critics tout, ‘This is a one-of-a-kind performance from a one-of-a-kind person. If HBO isn’t calling, they should be… not to be missed’ (EljNYC.com).”
WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Coorie (Venue 24)
WHEN: 21:00 (75 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
No, I brought my last show, “Carnival Knowledge” there back in 2010. That experience will forever go down as one of my all-time career highlights. Because, it was just me. I didn’t have big, Hollywood machine with a multi-million dollar payroll behind me. Every laugh, clap, accolade, or rave I could take personal responsiblity for (with thanks to my director, Richard Embardo, supporting me from afar). It was also at a time in my life when I needed that validation. I had yet to experience any significant, commercial success in my career thus far, so surviving those 25 consecutive nights felt not only personally/professionally/artistically validating, but like a real wake-up call and reminder that THIS is what I needed to be doing with my life! I wept when my show closed, and it was time to return home. If that’s an indicator, then I don’t know what is!
Everything’s special about Edfringe! Aside from the personal connection I’ve just described, I found it incredibly inspiring to see what other artists are doing there. I’ve done other fringes, from NYC to Denver, and there’s simply NOTHING in the world like Edfringe. Those other cities all go about their business… whereas Edinburgh triples in size, with theatre happening everywhere from church basements to brothel attics (or so I imagine). So that’s what’s special about it: the whole world coming together in one place to perform, produce, support, and celebrate theatre.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I assume you mean since 2010, when I was there last? If so, EVERYTHING. My life has taken a complete turn since I was there last… I’m eager to experience it again through this new lens, knowing what I know now, as an older, wiser, more seasoned producer and performer. They say “you can never go home again,” but I refuse to believe that’s true, and am anxious to prove that axiom wrong.
Tell us about your show.
“American Whore Story” is the third in my trilogy of autobiographical solo shows. A love letter to “American Horror Story” fans, it chronicles my history of hustling– from the odd jobs I’ve held, to my even odder love life. Produced by all-Northwestern University alumni, specifically AWS Entertainment Group (comprised of me, Broadway-bound producer, Kate Atkinson, and veteran documentary filmmaker, Sarah Anthony) in collaboration with Cracked Pepper Productions (Umbrella Pictures’ Robert Jarosinski), AWS first debuted in Los Angeles, then went on to have successful runs Off-Broadway in New York, as well as Boston, Denver, and Taos, New Mexico. The plan after Edfringe is to produce it as a comedy special for streamers. No better way to prep for that than 25 consecutive nights in Edinburgh!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Gosh, I don’t know yet! I’m looking forward to arriving at Auld Reekie and finding out! I do know of a dear comedian-friend, Torrance Hill, who’s doing his stand-up, “Cool Beans Comedy,” as well as a friend of a friend here in Los Angeles, Mitch Hara, whose show, “Mutant Olive 2.0” has come highly recommended. But otherwise, I can’t wait to get there, hear the buzz, and just see where my curiosity takes me! Last time, I happened upon a “Naked Brunch,” where everyone– performers, technical crew, waitstaff, ticket-takers, even the audience– was naked. I watched Jennifer Coolidge eat a dozen donuts while talking about her sex-life (turns out we’re eskimo sisters– who knew?!). I saw a solo show by a life drawing model, who encouraged us to draw him as he regaled us with stories in the nude. I watched Bryony Kimmings actually collect audience members’ pubic hair in her one-woman show, “Sex Idiot,” all about chlamydia. So I’m sure there’ll be a whole new array of crazy, new experiences in store!
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