Singer/Comedienne Laura Ainsworth Uses Humor to Fight "The Last Culturally-Acceptable Bias: Looking Over 30"

Info about singer/comedian Laura Ainsworth's hilarious live show, "My Ship Has Sailed," which satirizes society's obsession with staying young via parody songs about plastic surgery, Botox, diets and "the Last Big Culturally-Acceptable Bias: Looking Over 30." Ainsworth is also a world-renowned radio comedy writer and the creator of "Laura's Diary," a humorous blog on age and beauty in the news at www.lauraainsworth.com.

(PRWEB) February 17, 2004 --In Dallas, Texas, where plastic surgery clinics spring up on every corner like Starbucks, singer/comedienne Laura Ainsworth is using humor to skewer Americas obsession with looking young in a unique new stage act that combines music, comedy and even a touch of motivational uplift.

In My Ship Has Sailed (How To Be A Late Bloomer In A World Obsessed With Extreme Youth)," Ainsworth lampoons facelifts, Botox, anti-wrinkle diets, age-reversal potions and bizarre plastic surgery procedures (the chin sling"?), while at the same time understanding their popularity in a world where age is the last big culturally-acceptable bias."

Ainsworth, who flatly refuses to tell her age (Because I dont want it to matter"), debuted the show last fall at Dallas Ruby Room, where it was greeted by enthusiastic audiences who dubbed it a musical 'Defending the Caveman for women." Screams of feminine laughter and shouts of You go, girl!" often ring out as she skewers the obstacles faced by any woman over 30 who is launching a new career, pursuing a dream or just trying to keep from turning invisible. Its a message shes now spreading both onstage and worldwide via her humorous weblog, Lauras Diary," at her website, www.lauraainsworth.com.

One inspiration for this show was 'American Idol," Ainsworth explains. I saw that if you wanted to be a singer, you could be any race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, height or weight. You could even have a criminal record. But you couldnt be over 24. If youre over 24, youve committed the ultimate crime -- and its the death penalty for you!"

But why do a show about this now? I need money for my plastic surgery account," Ainsworth quips.

When not appearing in nightclubs, theaters and corporate events, Ainsworth is half the creative team behind the longtime syndicated radio service The Comedy Wire" and a writer/voice on parody songs heard on top radio morning shows. Her Julie Andrews parody, These Are The Things That The Taliban Banned," was played worldwide at Christmas, 2001. Ainsworth says, If Julie Andrews and Weird Al Yankovic had a child, it would be me."

Most of the songs in My Ship Has Sailed" are parodies written by Ainsworth. The title tune is a takeoff on the Kurt Weill/Ira Gershwin standard, My Ship," which now laments that theres no applause for menopause." The raunchiness of todays youthful fashions gets the Julie Andrews treatment in The Simple Joys Of Maidenhood." Ainsworths version of Madonnas Frozen" addresses the results of too much Botox (Youre frozen, with your eyes wide open"). Her versatile voice even soars on high opera, as Puccinis aria O Mio Babbino Caro" becomes O, Worship Dr. Perricone," an ode to the Wrinkle Cure Doctor who promotes salmon consumption on PBS.

Perhaps the shows highlight is a variation on I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General," in which Ainsworth rattles off at lightning speed dozens of tongue-twisting anti-aging products ready to offer you the promise of youth."

Ainsworth is accompanied at every turn by lifelong friend and pianist extraordinaire Brian Piper, whose credits range from the Dallas Summer Musicals Orchestra to Jerry Jeff Walkers Gonzo Compadres Band.

Fans have dubbed the show a musical 'Defending The Caveman for women," and critics have raved about both Ainsworths singing and her pointed humor. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram even called My Ship Has Sailed" a potential cult phenomenon," and thats fine with Ainsworth.

Frankly, Im out to change the world," she says. Weve all bought into this age thing. We have to know how old everybody is, so we can decide what to think about them. By looking at this in a humorous way, and setting it to lots of great melodies, I hope to help us get to the point where your age is like your blood type -- only your doctor cares about it."

For more information, visit www.lauraainsworth.com. My Ship Has Sailed" next plays Sunday, February 22 at Django On The Parkway in Addison, Texas.
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