Cats And Comedy Combine In A St. Pete-Produced Virtual Show

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A triple threat St. Petersburg artist who misses the energy of live audiences and getting the natural social fulfillment that comes with being an entertainer created a virtual all-women's comedy platform inspired by cats, "Pussy Tales," to fulfill the missing stage spark.

"A couple of the things that I'm seeing on social media that are soothing to people during the times that we're in are when people are having a hard day, they post, 'Send pictures of cats," Sheba Queen of the Night told Patch. "And I was like, 'Maybe we should have an event where everybody can bring their cats.'"

Night, who only gives her stage name, thought an all-women's comedian cast could accompany cats to offer laughter.

Night's heart goes out to everyone who have lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, and especially to performers who literally are "starving artists" right now.

"I think about the shows that we, as entertainers, used to do, and book talent for," said Night. "That was a part of people's income. So this virtual show is an opportunity to raise money for people in live entertainment who have lost the majority of their income. I consider this more of a fundraiser than a show."

The cast of comedians for Friday's Zoom show are an eclectic mix that includes Tampa comedian and host plus new cat owner, Natasha Samreny; Kitten on the Keys, who is a San Francisco burlesque performer who wears a cat outfit as she sings and plays Broadway tunes on the piano and accordion; Charlie Hester, a Las Vegas based comedian who collects tampons and pads at her shows and donates them to shelters; Katherine Blanford, an Atlanta-based comedian who hosts a comedy podcast called, "Cheaties"; and a Chicago comedian, Janice V. Rodriguez, who recently hosted Int'l Lady Laughs Comedy Festival 2020.

Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite for $10. If you have a cat and bring your cat to the show, you get a $5 discount.

Night said if you are affected by coronavirus and are unable to afford a ticket, email them, and they will send you a link. The email address is makeitrainprodco@gmail.com.

"Pussy Tales" starts at 8 p.m. on Friday in the virtual land of Zoom. For more information, check out their Facebook page.

This show is produced by Make it Rain Productions based out of St. Petersburg and San Francisco.