Rachel Bloom, the actor and writer best known for My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, has transformed personal trauma into a thought-provoking stand-up show titled Death, Let Me Do My Show. The show, which delves into the theme of death and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, explores how to acknowledge death while still living one’s life.
Bloom had initially started working on songs and sketches for a musical stand-up special in early 2020. However, the pandemic abruptly interrupted her plans as the world grappled with the devastating effects of COVID-19. To compound her grief, Bloom received the heartbreaking news that her close friend and collaborator, Adam Schlesinger, had passed away from COVID-19 complications.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Bloom shared her motivation for creating a show that centers around trauma, death, and the experiences of the past year. She acknowledged the risk of discussing such a sensitive topic but felt that it was crucial to address the collective trauma that people faced in 2020. Bloom emphasized the importance of decompressing and engaging in conversations about death and loss.
While recounting her personal journey of grief and loss, Bloom explained how reliving the experiences during each performance of her show has been a healing process. By turning her pain into a story, she feels that the wounds begin to scab over, and it becomes a part of her personal narrative. Through Death, Let Me Do My Show, Bloom has found a way to confront her existential fears surrounding mortality.
Looking ahead, Bloom expressed her desire to continue with the show beyond its current run off-Broadway. She hopes to explore other venues and eventually film it for a larger audience. However, she acknowledges that the theater industry is small and that the future of the show depends on the interest and demand surrounding it.
Considering the physical demands of the one-woman show, Bloom revealed that she prioritizes getting a full night’s sleep and engaging in vocal warm-ups and stretching exercises to prepare herself. These practices help her maintain her energy and physical stamina onstage.
Reflecting on her comedic talents, Bloom shared that she realized she was funny at a young age. In fifth grade, she wrote and performed a solo sketch for her school’s talent show called The Me Station. The sketch garnered laughter from her peers and momentarily elevated her popularity. This experience solidified her understanding of her comedic abilities and set her on a path towards pursuing comedy.
As Rachel Bloom continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of humor, introspection, and vulnerability in Death, Let Me Do My Show, she invites viewers to confront their collective trauma and engage in conversations about life, death, and the human experience. Through the power of stand-up comedy, Bloom challenges societal taboos surrounding death while finding healing and strength in her own personal journey.
