Few things are as funny as real life when it takes an unexpected turn. The best comedians know this, because they know it’s relatable. When audiences envision themselves in the absurd situations being described, they can’t help but laugh.
And that’s probably why so many enjoy the standup comedy of Jen Fulwiler, who describes her style as “domestic comedy with a fresh twist.”
She talks about family. She talks about being a mom. Stuff that audiences can identify with. Domestic stuff. The twist, however, is this: Though she had never really planned on being a mom when she was younger, today, she’s mom to six kids.
“I’m constantly surprised by my life, every single day,” she said.
As you might imagine, Fulwiler’s is a life rich in source material. And her new show clearly draws on that source.
“The ‘Maternal Instinct’ set is funny stories and hopefully relatable moments of my life and my husband’s life, just trying to keep it together as modern parents who often do not feel very equipped to be modern parents,” she explained.
Fulwiler’s kids have been a big part of her comedy career from the beginning. Because she self-produced her first standup comedy tour, booking theaters across the nation armed only with a Google search and her credit card, she quickly realized she was short on staff. But the kids came to the rescue, taking over the many jobs that were otherwise unfilled.
On the road, Fulwiler tries out her jokes on her young audience and gets their feedback.
“They get to travel, and they get to write jokes with me, and they think it’s a lot of fun,” she said.
The relatability of her humor also brings a sense of relief to audience members who are struggling with a variety of issues in their own lives. Fulwiler’s stories remind them that they are not alone.
“Of course, there’s lots of laughter, but I do make some points that I think will encourage parents so they walk away from the show and they say, ‘OK, you know what? I feel a little better about my life and a little better about returning to the chaos that is my life,’” Fulwiler said.
Fulwiler keeps her routine family-friendly because she wants to create a welcoming environment.
“I want people to be able to invite anyone,” she said. “If your grandma needs a night out, she should be able to come to my show, too.”
And though her humor relies upon her own experiences, you don’t have to be a mom — or even a woman — to enjoy her show.
“I work hard to make this show one that is relatable to everyone,” she said. “Everyone takes something away, whether or not they have a life exactly like mine. I’m a big believer that good comedy is good comedy. Period. End of sentence.”
Jen Fulwiler will be at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall on Nov. 1 as part of the Florida Theatre “On The Road” Series. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com/event/22005EF3AAA4C791 or The Amp Box Office.
For further information, go to pvconcerthall.com/events/detail/jen-fulwiler-2023.
