Some say Barbra Seville is one of the most beautiful women they have ever seen, even though there's actually a man named Richard underneath all the makeup and hair. The drag comedian has key techniques when making the transformation.

“If you can't hide it, decorate it!” Seville says. “Cover Girl doesn't cover boy. You've got to use a lot of makeup to look fabulous.”

Barbra will be on the bill at this month's Gay Comedy Night at Scottsdale's The Comedy Spot. This is the second monthly show the venue has held, and club director Sean Dillon says the sold-out first show was a big hit.

“I thought that was a community that had long been ignored,” Dillon says. “It's a huge population, and no one is doing anything for them.”
At this month's performance, Slique Callahan will be headlining. She has done stand-up in the Valley since 1982 and has written a few plays; this show marks her return to the area after a short hiatus.

“She's pretty much the godfather of gay comedy in Phoenix,” Dillon says.
Hosting the event and doing an opening set will be Janice Gennevois, who coordinates the shows. She had performed at The Comedy Spot before she started organizing the last Wednesday of the month as Gay Comedy Night. She says the events mean a lot to her and the gay community, as well as straight allies.

“My goal is to create a safe environment that is totally fun where our community can be proud of what we do,” Gennevois says. “We've got to come together. Our lives are different. We do face discrimination. There's got to be a way to take that pressure off and kick back.”

Not all the comedy is focused on gay themes, though, and Gennevois says people of all orientations will be able to appreciate and enjoy the comics. People might be able to learn and take something away from the comedy, too.

“I think there's a lot of things that need to be brought into the mainstream,” Dillon says. “They're just not only typical of the shows we do at The Comedy Spot, but they also open up the parameters of your personal point of view.”