Kathy Griffin goes double-deep dish this Friday night, when the flame-haired comic with the celeb-roasting style adds a second standup session to her scheduled gig at the Count Basie.
She’s got a trophy case full of accolades — two Emmys, a Grammy, a GLAAD Vanguard honor, and a Life Award from The Trevor Project — but Kathy Griffin didn’t get where she is by making air-kiss fake nice with Hollywood, or the don’t-ask-don’t-tell protocols of a fast-changing (but still somewhat timid) American society.
Fueled by a merch table’s worth of hit TV series, books and albums, the 20-year veteran standup made the leap from the rowdier comedy clubs to the more respectable theater-venue circuit several seasons back — although when Griffin comes to Red Bank’s Count Basie Theatre for two Friday night shows, audiences should expect no softening, dimming or blunting of the comedian’s patented flamethrower assault on entrenched attitudes, politicians, organized religion, or the “D Listers” of a showbiz establishment with whom she continues to carry on a passionate love/hate relationship.
A separate 10:30 pm set was recently added to the originally scheduled 8 pm showtime at the Basie; tickets ($39 – $129) remain available for both performances, although the later show is the best bet for seating selection at this point. Take it here to reserve.
