Rosie O'Donnell to perform in two back-to-back comedy shows in Dublin ahead of 3Olympia gig
Ahead of her 3Olympia Theatre show in July, US comedian Rosie O'Donnell will headline two Dublin shows on June 11.
Spoons!, a show for neurodivergent and disabled comedians, takes place at Sin É on Ormond Quay. O'Donnell will donate her fee to AsIAm.
Ian Lynam ( Autistic License) will be MC, joined by Jay Fitz, Jo Jarvie, MJ Stokes, and Nate Thomas.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner on booking The Flintstones and Tarzan star, Mr Lynam said: "Rosie had already begun performing in Irish venues, but expressed an interest in playing to a specifically queer audience.
'She also enquired about Spoons!, my show featuring a line-up of neurodivergent and disabled performers. I think it's no surprise that both causes would be close to her heart.
'Rosie's LGBT+ bona fides speak for themselves, with continued advocacy since at least 2002. This has only intensified through her child Clay, who is non-binary. Clay is also autistic, which leads to [Rosie's] interest in Spoons!.
'Rosie has not been regularly performing in over a decade and, overall, I think she's looking for fresh and diverse audiences to test her material out.
'I was amazed to hear of her interest in Hysteria [Comedy at Sin É], but I was even more amazed that she was agreeing to do two shows back-to-back in one night.'
The decision to donate her fee to AsIAm 'is linked to her advocacy on Clay's behalf', according to Mr Lynam
'She has donated the fee from every performance so far to the non-profit. I think to truly advocate for queer people is to advocate for neurodivergent people and vice-versa,' he said.
'Organisations like AsIAm argue that there is no single 'right' way for a person to exist and advocate so the same opportunities and dignities can be afforded to all people, regardless of their support needs.'
Actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell, along with her 12-year-old autistic daughter Clay joined hundreds of people attending the AsIAm Same Chance - Walk for Autism in Dublin at Dublin's Malahide Castle. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Later that evening, O'Donnell will be special guest in Token Straight Presents: Rosie O'Donnell & Friends from 8pm at Sin É.
For Felix O'Connor, MC of the show, securing O'Donnell for a Pride month gig was 'equal parts thrill and nerves'.
'I think my first reaction was: 'Oh god, is our little club going to be worth her while? Is she going to be insulted with what we can offer her to headline?' She's obviously such a comedy legend.
Hysteria is a comedy collective where Token Straight and ticketed shows operate on a profit-share model.
Token Straight is the longest-running queer comedy night in Dublin and, Mr O'Connor believes, the only queer stand-up night currently operating. Other LGBT+ shows include Queer Note Glitter Cabaret and Egg in Bello Bar, while drag and one-off Pride shows happen elsewhere.
Hysteria has worked with AsIAm before, with several collective members on the spectrum or with ADHD. Rosie was already working with AsIAm when contacted, he added.
Actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell on right walks with Adam Harris is the Founder and CEO of AsIAm and Eric Roberts Social Media Star joined hundreds of people attending the AsIAm Same Chance - Walk for Autism in Dublin at Dublin's Malahide Castle. Picture:Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
First-time audiences to Spoons! can expect 'a rich mix of performers from various backgrounds and identities,' Mr Lynam said.
'The ideal for Spoons! is to be material by neurodivergent artists for neurodivergent audiences. I want to create a space where autistic people can enjoy comedy without worrying they'll be picked on by someone on stage.
'One thing that Spoons! offers that makes it unique is that it's the one comedy show that still encourages performers and audience to wear masks.
'While it's easy to feel like covid is over, the reality is I saw a lot of friends with chronic illnesses and conditions too afraid to return to live shows in case they risked infection. The mask rule isn't about judging anyone or making them feel like they're doing something wrong, I'm just trying to carve out one safe space in a pub basement for my community to gather.
'On a personal note, I was recently diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and may need to begin immunosuppressants, so this rule is now for my protection just as much as anyone else,' he added.
The former The View co-host moved to Ireland after wildfires destroyed her Malibu home and following Donald Trump's re-election.
On March 11, O'Donnell said on TikTok she is applying for Irish citizenship, as her grandparents were Irish.
'I'm trying to find a home here… when it's safe for all citizens to have equal rights in America, we'll consider coming back,' she said on TikTok.
Spoons! starts at 6:30pm, with tickets from €8 on Eventbrite. The 8 p.m. Token Straight show is sold out. Hysteria Comedy runs three weekly shows at Sin É (@hysteriaireland on Instagram).
Rosie O'Donnell's solo stand-up show, Common Ground, will take place at Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre on Sunday, July 27.
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