BY CANDY PARKER

Ah, where does one begin in introducing actress and comedian Jackie Monahan?

Perhaps Esquire magazine, in naming Monahan best new comic, said it best : “She’s got the look of your friend’s hot, older sister, and the jokes of a deranged serial killer. She will kill you, and you will be smiling.”

Or maybe Roseanne Barr nailed it when she called Monahan a “fucking genius.”

In any event, Monahan is a force to be reckoned with both on stage and on the big screen. The Los Angeles-based comedian is setting the comedy stages of New York and LA on fire with her fearless brand of humor, performing at LA comedy hot spots such as The Comedy Store and The Improv.

On the big screen, Monahan starred as Zylar in 2011’s award-winning, hilarious comedy “Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same.” The Sundance-selected, full-length feature film follows the adventures of lesbian space aliens on the planet Earth, and the story of the romance between Jane, a shy greeting card store employee, and Zoinx, the woman Jane does not realize is from outer-space.

Monahan’s latest project is “The Foxy Merkins,” another Sundance-featured film with an equally quirky plot line. Directed by Madeleine Olnek, who also wrote and directed “Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same,” “The Foxy Merkins” follows two lesbian hookers as they wind their way through a world of bargain-hunting housewives and double-dealing conservative women. The female buddy film isn’t available yet, but you can sign up at GoWatchIt to receive alerts when you can see it. Or, if you’re lucky enough to be near Atlanta, you can catch the 9p.m., April 3, screening at the 2014 Atlanta Film Festival.

We managed to get Monahan to slow down briefly (aside from her comedy and acting gigs, I can tell you first-hand I’ve witnessed her boundless energy and whirling dervish-like energy on the dance floor) to answer a random Fast 5 for us.

1. If you could host a dinner party and invite any five people – past or present – to attend who would be on that guest list?

Bernard Shaw, Moms Mabley, Andy Kaufman, Gilda Radner and Lucille Ball.

2. Beach or mountains?

Right now I say mountains but ask me in ten minutes I will say beach.

3. Which individual has been your greatest professional influence?

Steve Martin.

4. Do you have any phobias?

Nope.

5. What’s your favorite home-cooked meal?

Beef Bolognese.

Do yourself a favor and follow Monahan on Facebook and Twitter. Hilarity is guaranteed to ensue.

The post Fast 5 with actress/comedian Jackie Monahan first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Summer is still scorching much of the country, but Sweet is already looking ahead to September when the lesbian travel company will be bringing its unique brand of debauchery and do-goodery to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

“Hundreds of Sweeties will be taking over the Playacar Palace resort from September 21st – 28th,” explained Sweet Founder and CEO Shannon Wentworth. “We’ll be featuring an amazing group of comedic and musical performers, theme parties and, of course, our trendsetting  and very rewarding community service projects.”

For those looking for a relaxing late summer getaway, Sweet’s Playacar resort vacation may be the perfect combination of leisure and indulgence. Located on the spectacular Riviera Maya on the beach in the town of Playa del Carmen, the five-star Playacar Palace hotel is just steps away from Mexico’s legendary 5th Avenue shops. The resort features ocean-view rooms that overlook the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, a swim-up bar, Jacuzzi tubs in every room, 24-hour room service and a host of other amenities which are guaranteed to leave even the most finicky guest feeling pampered.

Beyond the daily Sweet-sponsored excursions, guests can tour the gateway to Mayan civilization, visiting the ruins at Tulum, Coba and the legendary Chichen Itza, or spend an afternoon frolicking with dolphins, windsurfing or getting sand in all sorts of unmentionable places while diving around on the beach volleyball court.

Sweet’s entertainment line-up for Playacar includes Jackie Monahan, a bi-coastal comedian and actress featured on Showtime’s “Pride Comedy Jam;” Rakefet Abergel, an accomplished actress and outspoken stand-up comedian; Cathy DeBuono, out and proud lesbian actress, LA Talk Radio host, therapist and empath; seasoned actress and comedian Erin Foley; singer/songwriters Hannah Thomas and Sarah Smith; television and film star Traci Dinwiddie, perhaps best known for her role as Peyton Lombard in “Elena Undone;” and comedians Jennie McNulty and Shann Carr, veteran Sweet performers and perennial traveler favorites.

“Sweet trips are such an incredible experience,” shared McNulty. “I know for some of the women it’s a chance for them to truly be themselves, perhaps for the only time all year. But that’s only part of what makes the atmosphere so special. We visit beautiful places, stay in gorgeous locations and experience all the debauchery that goes along with these types of trips, but with Sweet, there’s another level of consciousness that permeates the atmosphere, too. There’s the feeling that you’re part of something special – giving back, helping people.”

In addition to the endless sand, sun, shopping and sight-seeing available on the gorgeous Riviera Maya, Sweet will offer a variety of community service projects in which their guests are invited to participate. Projects may involve anything from spending an afternoon at an animal shelter bathing, walking and cuddling with the residents to organizing a library for local youth to raising funds for the local community via participation in a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament hosted by DeBuono.

“Playacar will be my third Sweet trip,” DeBuono offered, “And I’m looking forward to spending more than a few hours around the poker table getting to know some really wonderful women – and raising money for whatever good causes we can.”

DeBuono’s previous “shuffle up and deal” efforts raised thousands of dollars used to support women’s, children’s and animal support organizations in the communities fortunate enough to host the Sweet group.

Actress and animal rights enthusiast Natalie Garcia organizes Sweet’s four-legged focused projects. “For the September trip we’re planning to work with Coco’s cat rescue, take a daytrip to Cozumel where we’ll rent dune buggies, explore the island and visit the local animal shelter,” Garcia detailed. “I am so grateful to be able to travel with such inspiring women while saving animals and raising awareness about animal rights.”

Many agree that there is something special about the essence of the Sweet travelers, collectively known as Sweeties.

Recent first-time Sweetie Erin Lee described her vacation with Sweet in Puerto Vallarta as life-changing. “I experienced instant connections with an exceptional group of women,” said Lee who ventured out as a solo. “I felt it was a time where we could be our most true selves and left with new life-long friendships. And I loved the excursions and the entertainment. It was definitely more than a vacation.”

Another Sweet newbie and solo traveler, Heather Price, described her recent experience, “As a shy, somewhat introverted person, new people in a new environment can be a little intimidating, but that only lasted about an hour into my time with Sweet. There just aren’t words for the friendliness and kindness I was shown. I danced until my feet ached and laughed until tears were streaming down my face. “Solo” is a misnomer; you’re actualy traveling with friends you just hadn’t met yet.”

For more information on Sweet and fantastic last-minute Playacar resort deals, including low down payments and interest/fee-free payment plans, click here or call 877-793-3830. Be sure to ask about the $1,500/room resort credit!

She magazine is the longest running magazine for LGBT women in Florida.

The post Sweet travel sizzles in September first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Photo from JackieMonahan.com

BY SID MARCH
Lesbian.com

Just before I interviewed Jackie Monahan, my poor little Facebook newsfeed was going wild with “I’m in Las Vegas,” and, “OMG this is so funny” posts.  Cyber-guffawing about a boys only, what-happens-in-Vegas adventure had consumed my news feed.  I could barely find posts about my friends’ irritating children.  There were no LOLcats to be seen.  Memes about drinking and politics had been wiped out … Something was wrong.  I clicked “hide posts from this idiot” a dozen times, hoping to regain some sense of social network sanity.  What could be so funny that they had to wreck my status-updating experience?

Turns out, they were sitting in Jackie Monahan’s audience.  Oh.

Jackie is a riot.   She has been doing improv and stand-up for about a decade, working with the Upright Citizens Brigade, amusing us via Sirius radio, her hit podcast “Girls on Girls,” movie roles, and of course, live with her unpredictable and disarmingly hilarious stand-up.  She had a fine little chat with Lesbian.com about cats (of course), and what it’s like to be a choke-inducing comic and Dolly Parton karaoke expert.

Hi Jackie! I need your help.  I wanted to cleverly reference some specifically hilarious jokes of yours, but I’m falling into laughing fits louder than my MacBook Air can possibly play a YouTube video. Since I can’t ever seem to watch your standup without choking on my drink, can you please describe what a night in the presence of J’Mo on stage is like?

Thank you for the compliment but please don’t choke.  I actually did have a scare at a show in Provincetown once, a man who couldn’t find his inhaler!  I was traumatized for a few days.  I really felt like, “What am I doing?! I got into this to bring joy to peoples’ lives, not to kill them!”

I have been described as “delightfully inappropriate” and “spontaneous combustion” on stage.  I have a lot of energy and have been called “unpredictable” and “fearless.”

You were recently named by Esquire as one of the best new stand-up comedians.  You were nominated and voted on by other comics, which makes that a pretty big deal.  Getting a big compliment from which comedian would leave you totally floored/speechless/flattered/panting?

I have a varied range of comics I admire.  The first ones were Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Steven Wright and Mitch Hedgberg.   My favorites today are Dave Attell, Maria Bamford, Wanda Sykes and Louis CK.

I heard that the gay marriage law in New York was passed in the middle the premiere for your new film “Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same.”  How much cosmic influence do you think you had on all of this?

Ha!  I don’t know about my having an influence but after the movie when gay marriage was announced everyone cheered for a good ten minutes.  We then had a Q&A and when I was asked a question I began to answer, then stopped, and said “I’m so sorry, I’m finding it hard to concentrate!  I have been with the same woman for 10 years and am terrified she is now going to want to get married.”  It got a big laugh, even by my girlfriend who was among the thousand people who were there.

You started your comedy career in New England and New York almost, what, 10 years ago?  Do you find different regions receive you differently?  Do the people on the west coast and east coast laugh at different things?

I did some sketch and improv comedy in New England with a group called the Pork Chop Lounge.  They attended the Edinburgh festival.  I started stand up in New York eight years ago.  I don’t see a major difference in the two coasts because generally people who live on the coasts are intelligent.  However, people do not have to get every joke, as long as everyone has fun!  I am fun to laugh at even if you don’t know where I am coming from.

Is there any one city that you think has the best sense of humor? Be biased. Seriously.

I could not say.  There are times when I think it is NYC, LA or San Francisco but then inevitably something happens and I change my mind.  I had an okay show in South Beach and went back a year later and had one of the best shows of my life there.

Have you ever heard a genuinely awesome version of “Don’t Stop Believin'” at a karaoke bar?

No, but I have done a version of Dolly Partons “9 to 5” that got me a standing ovation because I was screaming the lyrics.  I was screaming because I can’t sing and I love to scream.  Everyone mistook it for me being furious about women making money and men putting it in their pockets.  That does make me mad but I didn’t really pay attention to what I was singing.

Before you got into comedy what were you doing?  Did you have any great big future plans?

Before I was in comedy I was working towards a teaching degree in special education with a minor in psychology and I was a bartender in NYC.

When I was doing my research on you, Google suggested “Jackie Monahan, Arrested?” and told me to enter your name and state of residence.  I admit, it was tempting.  So, have you ever been in any trouble I might have been able to uncover by paying $21.95 to an anonymous creepo internet company?

Ha ha!  I was on my way to the library to work on a report for school when I was stopped for not using my blinker.  I had an unpaid court fee I was unaware of and, consequently, was put in handcuffs, brought to two stations and thrown in jail for hours with two thug prostitutes.  That would not be in the records, however, I do not believe.

How do you feel about cats?  What about lesbians and cats? Lesbian comedians and cats? Lesbian.com and cats?

When I was 11, my cat ate a poisonous mouse and lost all his fur.  I received a prank call from a man asking if I had hair on my pussy. I said “No, but how did you know?”  Then I put two and two together, screamed and hung up!  Since then, I have had two cats.  I now have a dog.

Jackie Monahan is currently working on a top-secret film project with Madeline Olnek, writer/director of “Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same.”  Jackie says it’s a “dream come true role” but even we don’t know what it is!  Keep Jackie on your radar by visiting her website.

The post Comedian Jackie Monahan is out of this world first appeared on Lesbian.com.