'Abbott Elementary's' Lauren Weedman Brings 'BLOWS' to Boston June 20

Award-winning comedic actress, ("Hacks," "Abbott Elementary," "Euphoria," "Looking") playwright, and author Lauren Weedman returns to the stage with "Lauren Weedman BLOWS," a new comedy cabaret solo adventure at City Winery Boston on June 20, 2023.

"Lauren Weedman BLOWS" is a wry, contemporary look at what it means to be a single mom, an artist, and a woman in today's creative economy. It is an exploration of what happens in the invisible second half of a woman's life, the part after all the traditional stories end and divorce, menopause, and impending financial collapse begin, while pursuing a career in the arts and resisting looming pressures to pack it up and get a "real job." It's a search for a Third Act – for survival, honesty, and normalcy in an increasingly isolated, digital society.

"It's a show about single mothers, art, bankruptcy, isolation, survival, and dishwashers all blowing the same fuse over and over again in your shit apartment," said Weedman. "Blowing your life. Blowing your dreams. Your mind–you get it. Lots of blows."

"The economics of being a woman working, juggling the demands of single parenting, are broken," says executive producer Sandy Cioffi. "Whether that work is in nursing, teaching, or the arts, the numbers just don't add up. Lauren's had lots of successes – we can turn on prime time and see her playing Melissa's sister on 'Abbot Elementary,' Mayor Jo on 'Hacks,' and Jules' therapist on 'Euphoria,' but still, it's a struggle to pay for the basics, like childcare and rent. 'Lauren Weedman BLOWS' pulls back the veil on the neo-liberal madness and gives voice to the vulnerabilities we're all facing. It's broken, and it blows."

"Lauren Weedman BLOWS" is a show in development, where Lauren is experimenting with and refining the material each time she's on stage. Seventy-five percent of the show is scripted, and 25 percent is discovered during the performance.

"To me, that seems more fun, to be a little terrified on stage, to keep it more present. You're not going to watch a rehearsal, but I am working out material with the audience live. There's an energy to it when you know it's happening right now," says Weedman.

Joining Weedman on stage is musical guest Tim Young. Having played with countless musical greats like Beck, Fiona Apple, John Legend, and Todd Rundgren, he was most recently the guitarist for the house band on "The Late Late Show With James Corden."

"All the things that made me edgy in my 30s and 40s now make me sound cracky in my 50s. It's the perfect show for queer folks, women folk, middle-aged folks, parents, foreign doctors, and performers who need that 'well, I can do that' inspiration!" says Weedman.

"Lauren Weedman BLOWS" is on stage June 20 at 7:30 p.m. at City Winery Boston. Tickets range from $30-$40 and can be purchased online at City Winery.

"BLOWS" promises to offer a hilariously cathartic return to the arena of live performance" -The Daily

"A prolific solo performer [and] a fearlessly self-lacerating monologuist" -The Seattle Times