MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Jackie Primrose Monahan, Comedienne
Jackie Primrose Monahan’s presence on stage captivates her audiences; she is one of those comics some might call a bit dark. And given her perpetually happy look, that's a bit unexpected. Watching Jackie perform is like being an observer at a party where you are not sure what's going to happen next. You just sit back, watch, and are either endlessly entertained, or completely shocked. This is a good thing in comedy. Shocking is a word often used to describe some of the stuff that flies out of Jackie's mouth. "Wait did she just say what I thought she said?" is not an uncommon reaction. But by then, she's charmed and disarmed her audience so they just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Her comedy is incomparable but if you had to say who her biggest influences were they would be Steve Martin , Lucille Ball, and Sarah Silverman. She grew up In Rhode Island, where she was part of a comedy Troupe called The Pork Chop Lounge. She quickly became somewhat of a local celebrity. Next she moved to Philadelphia where she was part of yet another popular comedy troupe. It wasn’t until she moved to the Big Apple in 2005 that she decided to try her hand at stand up comedy.
Jackie Monahan quickly took the NYC comedy scene by storm. She become a local favorite at Gotham Comedy Club, Caroline's on Broadway, and The Laugh Factory. She is also a favorite in the local downtown scene. After only two years performing picked up by a manager of a comedy tour known as the LOL tour which stands for The Lesbians of Laughter. She was the greenest by far of all the comics, but with in three shows she was moved by the tour manager from the opener to the headliner. She soon started getting booked as a solo act.
Naming her show “Delightfully Inappropriate” she once again was on the road and headlines at Clubs and Colleges all over the country. When she is not on tour or performing for Olivia Cruises she is busy around Manhattan doing spots on Maxim's Sirius radio and VH1 shows. This trained actor and Upright Citizen’s Brigade improviser is unstoppable. Look out for Jackie as you are sure to see her on your television in her “One Night Stand Up” special for LOGO.
Jackie has a hit podcast "Girls on Girls" for the HERE! Network which has broadened an already impressive fan base. Catch it on itunes. Jackie is the winner of Time Out New York’s Joke of the year in 2008 and was also nominated for ECNY’s Best Female Stand Up comedian. Look for Jackie this summer as Zylar, one of the main characters in a hysterical new movie by Madeline Olnek called “Co-Dependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same”.
Her humor is fresh, fearless, and original; she will shock you and make you think. There is nothing out of bounds when it comes to Jackie's hilarious stand up. She's been known to give her audiences an unforgettable ab workout that will leave you sore for days, hence the nickname, Jackie the Ab Ripper! So skip your crunches and don't miss the opportunity to see this comedian on the rise! We have previously recommended her:
and are pleased to present her as our latest Mover and Shaker!
Peachy Deegan interviewed Jackie Monahan for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: How old were you when you realized you were funny?
Jackie Monahan: 3
How did you realize you were funny?
I would make my Mom and her friends cry from laughing. One of them said: "She Is A Little Comedian"
What are your favorite jokes now and what were they as a kid?
I am assuming you mean street jokes. When I was a kid I loved dirty jokes. Now I enjoy political jokes.
How did you come up with your Katharine Hepburn singing Guns and Roses act?
Joking around with my best friend and funniest person in the world Tom Van Wie
What inspires you to be funny?
People taking life too seriously wanting to laugh myself
What is the difference between those that are really funny and those that think they are?
Those who can make anyone laugh and those who can only make their friends laugh.
What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
Ted Bundy and Eleanor Roosevelt not in that order.
What are you proudest of and why?
I used to do a Podcast called Girls on Girls with another woman Anne Neczypor. We dealt with tons of issues while laughing and joking. I have received so many emails from young woman around the world on how our podcast changed their lives. One particular letter from a woman in Iraq brought tears to my eyes. The fact that pursuing my comedy career has changed peoples lives is the greatest award I think I could ever receive.
What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do? Host a late night talk show!
What honors and awards have you received in your profession?
Time out New Yorks Joke of the Year, nominated for ECNY's funniest woman Stand up, and Go magazines 80 woman we love
What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?
A secret garden near my apartment can't tell you where because it is a secret!
What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?
Alice in Wonderland Tea shop
What is your favorite drink?
Champagne
What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?
Joseph Leonard's
What is your favorite Manhattan book?
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote: it is different from the movie but both are fantastic. Eloise at the Plaza written by Kay Thompson. I love this book because my great grandfather was the treasurer of the Plaza and my grandmother was nicknamed Eloise. She was always running around the Plaza and everyone joked that she was the inspiration for the book.
If you could have anything in Manhattan named after you what would it be and why?
The rooftop deck of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I love going through the Museum and then having Champagne and looking out over Central Park.
What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience?
hahaha Falling down the stairs in my first NYC apartment and hurting my back. Before that however, it was jogging in Central Park around the reservoir
What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?
drink and not drive baby!!!!! Just kidding! It would be being able to walk everywhere. I hate parking and having to get in the car. Manhattan is another world and it is magnificent!
What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?
Walking in central park and happening on the Philharmonic. Also seeing Meryl Streep in Mother Courage in the park under the stars.
What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?
Underrated would be Central Park. When I moved to NYC my Mom was terrified that I was going in the park. She claimed people were always getting murdered. She kept seeing it on TV. I asked on the news? She said no, Law and Order.
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?
I love the column Champagne Wishes it is a true delight!
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I am in LA right now and answering these questions. It is making me wish I were in Manhattan. Also my Mom has IBS.
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
Facebook and check out my website JackieMonahan.com
