Image: Matt Hofmann
Rising star stand-up comic Sammy Petersen is bringing his debut solo show “Why The Long Face” to Adelaide this week as part of his Australian tour, marking the highpoint (so far) of his incredible return to the world of stand-up comedy.
Host of the hit podcast Confessions, and Your Two Drunk Aunties with Bron Lewis, Sammy Petersen brings his much anticipated debut stand-up show ‘Why The Long Face’ to live audiences after walking away from the one thing he dreamed of doing.
In 2018, Sammy suffered a heart attack and collapsed onstage in front of a horrified audience, leading him to quit stand-up comedy after 7 years in the industry that had once been his childhood obsession. Growing up on Phillip Island in Victoria, he’d mimed his favourite routines with a hairbrush as a makeshift microphone, determined to immerse himself in the world of stand-up comedy. But, it wouldn’t be an easy ride.
His first mentor, Greg Fleet, took Sammy under his wing while battling a decades-long heroin addiction. In what proved to be a toxic and imbalanced relationship, “Fleety” often left his mentee stranded onstage, so Sammy moved on to a new mentor, Fiona O’Loughlin. Unfortunately, Fiona had her own issues with alcohol addiction, so Sammy soon earned the name “The Addict’s Addict” from comedy insiders.
Ricocheting from two chaotic creative relationships, Sammy began an attempt to make his way independently in the world of stand-up. As someone who grew up with facial palsy and spoke of it openly, he was approached by a book publisher to write a book called “Why the Long Face: The Story of a Boy Who’s Trying to Make People Laugh When He Can’t Even Smile Himself.”
Instead, he started podcasting, and has since become the host and co-host of three hit shows, “Confessions”, “Your Two Drunk Aunties”, and, most recently, “Not Another Crime Podcast”.
After a long spell working under two problematic mentors followed by the onstage heart attack in 2018, Sammy thought the universe might have been trying to send him a sign. But, he rallied hard to return to the comedy spotlight and rekindle his childhood dream. He says, “This show is for little Sammy.”
Directed by Marieke Hardy, “Why The Long Face” recounts the stories of Sammy’s collapse, his history with addicts, and his experiences with book publishers.
Dubbed a “very funny human” by Missy Higgins and highly praised by the likes of Wil Anderson and Tim Minchin, Sammy Petersen’s 50-minute stand-up show hits Hell’s Kitchen at Rhino Room on Pirie Street this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to head to FringeTIX to secure your seats.
WHAT: Sammy Petersen: Why The Long Face
WHEN: Saturday March 8 and Sunday March 9 at 8:45pm
WHERE: Hell’s Kitchen at Rhino Room, 131 Pirie St Adelaide 5000, 131 Pirie St, Adelaide, Kaurna
COST: $20 – $25
For more information, click here.
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