25 April 10-16, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | Dark Humor A comedy showcase invites us to laugh through loss. BY ISABEL MAZA G rief isn’t exactly funny, but in the hands of the right comedi- ans, it could be. “Good Grief,” a comedy showcase coming to Westchester’s La Sala lounge on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, gives four performers the chance to process their grief with a live audience. Through a mix of stand-up, sketch, and even PowerPoint pre- sentations, each artist seeks to find the funny in life’s darkest moments. The hope is every- one will walk away feeling a mix of comedic catharsis and connection. The performers, each having dealt with profound personal loss, have created sets based on their experiences with grief. Miami- based artist Steph Perez conceived and pro- duced the show as she processed her mother’s death. “Art is probably the only healthy outlet I ever found that kept me sane and kept me moving forward,” she says. “Comedy, specifically, really relies on you be- ing present and in the moment, so it’s given me the option to process in a way that’s not unhealthy.” This isn’t Perez’s first time putting to- gether a show about heavy subject matter. Her one-woman show, Sad Chonga, which played in both Chicago and Miami in 2019, garnered praise from its sold-out crowds for its comedic approach to mental health topics. Its theme and tagline, “Depression, but funny!” also fits the bill for “Good Grief.” “Processing my grief inevitably led to comedy,” says Brendan Tran, a Chicago- based comedian performing in the show. “Ex- periencing my dad’s loss caused such an overwhelming change in my life where I was faced with a ton of challenges, stresses, and emotions that were new to me, and the hu- mor in those discoveries found me.” Fellow performer Victoria Collado, a Mi- ami-based director and producer, agrees. “I have what I call ‘Sitcom Brain,’ where I’m always looking for the comic relief — it’s my coping mechanism. I think it’s because comedy has a way of taking the truth and confronting it head-on while doing its best to remove the crushing weight,” she says. The performers aren’t poking fun at loss itself. For them, comedy is just another part of the grieving process, and there’s value in find- ing lightness amid all the heaviness. “Comedy seems to be the antithesis of grief, so I’m excited to see how we all trans- form our experiences of loss into something that brings joy and hope to the future,” says performer and Miami-based comedian Paul Rogers. Beyond its therapeutic aspects, “Good Grief” also turns the usual narrative around grieving on its head. Experiencing loss is typi- cally seen as something private, solemn, and solitary, even though so many are experienc- ing similar pain. Commiserating in those commonalities makes grief unifying instead of isolating. “You realize once you share this experi- ence with others that you’re not alone, and a lot of people can relate,” says Perez. “Even if you can’t relate to the specific circumstances, everyone experiences loss one way or an- other.” After the sets, audience members are invited to par- ticipate in a “talk- back session,” during which they can share their own stories and experi- ences with grief and loss. “I am looking forward to connect- ing with the audi- ence and getting a chance to hear stories of other people and their grief journeys,” says Tran. “I always feel a little more healed talk- ing to others ‘cause then I know I’m not the only one going through these experiences.” Above all, “Good Grief” flips the script on how we honor those we’ve lost. Yes, mourn- ing looks sad, but it also looks messy, weird, chaotic, and funny. Joy and grief can — and do — coexist. “We’re scared to talk about death. Every- one just wants to talk about the good stuff, but that’s only half of life. What about the other half?” asks Perez. “What joy can we find in the middle of the chaos?” Good Grief. 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, and Sat- urday, April 12, at La Sala, 8837 SW 40th St., Miami; 786-353-5198. Tickets cost $40 via eventbrite.com. [email protected] ▼ Culture Comedian Steph Perez produced “Good Grief” as she processed her mother’s death. Photo by the Sugar Cottage “ART IS PROBABLY THE ONLY HEALTHY OUTLET I EVER FOUND THAT KEPT ME SANE AND KEPT ME MOVING FORWARD.” register to win at miaminewtimes.com/promotions COOL STUFF go here to WIN
