Alexandra Tsarpalas grew up in Wilmette in what she calls “a family of funny people,” so it’s no surprise she gravitated toward comedy. Tsarpalas, 35, lives in Chicago and has done comedy improv, a stand-up act, and is a member of sketch troupe Mom Genes (https://www.facebook.com/momgeneschicago/?fref=nf), and “the kates” comedy showcase (www.thekates.org). She is taking part in the Sixth Annual Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, (http://stage773.com/ChicagoWomensFunnyFestival) working solo June 16 and as part of Mom Genes on June 18.
Q: Are different skills involved in stand-up and sketch comedy? Why do both?
A: In college, I did a little bit of sketch work and after college, I took some improv classes. Improv is really helpful with sketch work, but at one point I got burned out working with other people and wanted to work alone because it gave me more control. I think stand-up as an art form suits my personality, but I like both writing and making things up on the spot, so it’s good to have room to do both.
Q: What’s Mom Genes?
A: Three of us work with big wigs, and, yes, “mom jeans” – pulled up high, with elastic waistbands. It’s a weird hybrid between sketch and stand-up, because we do things in our “Mom” characters. We’ve found a way to set up jokes for one another.
Q: Some comic artists fit politics into their act; do you?
A: As a solo artist, I never do political material; it doesn’t suit my vibe. But as a sketch group, when we’re in character, we can have a little more of that.
Q: Do you have a cause or charity you’d like people to know about?
A: A charity in Evanston called A Night Out (
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www.anightout.org/), which provides an evening of entertainment, dinner and dessert for women from shelters who are getting out of abusive relationships.Q: Finally – zombie apocalypse or alien invasion?
A: I’d probably fare better in a zombie apocalypse because I have a plan for that. I need one for the alien invasion. I’ll work on it.
– Kathy Routliffe, Pioneer Press
Twitter: @pioneer_kathy
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