Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In their latest solo show LESS LONELY, comedian Jes Tom presents a slippery sense of self

• By drediman
• December 12, 2023
• No Comments

Last night, Jes Tom’s Less Lonely opened Off-Broadway at the Greenwich House Theater. The new autobiographical solo show finds the transgender comedian updating audiences with the latest occurrences in their journey through the uncharted territory that is gender and sexual fluidity. In its general candid thoughts on transgenderism, the show is a radical entry into the sphere of stand-up comedy — a fact that’s playfully undermined by our guide’s delectably nonchalant disposition and delivery.

Born a biological girl, Jes Tom relatively early on decided that she was a butch lesbian. Shortly thereafter, she came to the conclusion that she was in fact a he, thereby starting the transition from female to male. But while on testosterone therapy (likely because of the chemical reaction to the treatment), our deeply analytical host came to another eureka moment – that they actually enjoyed having sex with men (rather than women) as a twinky gay bottom boy. Throughout, the Asian American comic navigates this slippery journey of self-identification with their search for love and sexual satisfaction, largely in relation to their obsession with the end of the world (!).

Suffice to say, the talk about sex an sexuality is pretty candid, so be forewarned if you’re thinking of bringing more sensitive audience members. Some may also find their dry humor a tad too one-note, especially when stretched well over an hour. And like the Jes herself, the show – which has been unassumingly directed by Em Weinstein – doesn’t seem quite fully formed yet. I suspect that’s exactly the point. According to Jes Tom, there’s nothing wrong with being in a constant state of flux.

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JES TOM: LESS LONELY
Off-Broadway, Play
Greenwich House Theater
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Through January 6