The axiom that you cant judge a book by its cover has never been truer than in the case of actress Mary Lynn Rajskub, who brings her one-woman comedy act to the Birchmere this Sunday, Oct. 7.
As tech specialist Chloe OBrian to Kiefer Sutherlands Jack Bauer for the last five seasons of the hit television show 24, Mary Lynn has donned a wireless headset, nondescript clothing, and geeky faade in order to play a fictional role. Yet, as People Magazine pointed out in April of this year, Rajskub is actually one of the worlds 100 most beautiful people, a fact the comedienne finds bizarre while at the same time flattering.
Its so odd to be considered a beautiful person, said Rajskub, conducting a telephone interview as she drives around Los Angeles. I dont think of myself in that manner, but it certainly does feed the ego. Let me just say I dont feel bad about it. Its actually cool to be recognized in that way.
Looks and fashion sense aside, the 36-year-old actress who grew up in the suburbs outside of Detroit, does find some similarities between herself and her counterterrorism character.
Sure, theres a little bit of me inside of Chloe, especially when it comes to demeanor. I think I feel a little awkward, a little out of place in a lot of social situations. Its my exaggeration of that feeling is where the comedy comes from. The first time I was ever pushed out onto a stage by myself, I was so nervous I couldnt even say my name, and it got laughs.
While Mary Lynn Rajskub does admit that the high-strung heroine act has been a goldmine for her career, landing her primo parts in such mainstream offerings as Firewall opposite Harrison Ford and Legally Blonde II: Red, White, and Blonde with Reese Witherspoon, this Hollywood veteran is looking to expand her horizons. Shes writing an independent comedy where shell play an unassuming assassin, which she hopes to do after this seasons hiatus. Shell be seen on the big screen later this year in Sunshine Cleaning, where shell portray Emily Blunts lesbian love interest, an acting experience which she called a vacation to a whole different world.
Finally, theres the one-woman show, currently entitled Turns Out Im Funny, that shes been developing in the L.A. underground comedy scene for the last decade. This week in Alexandria will mark one of the first attempts outside California for Rajskub to present her mix of stand-up and personal stories ranging from a 2006 rumor-blooming photo of Rush Limbaugh kissing her mouth-to-mouth at a Heritage Foundation panel discussion, getting kicked out of a gurus class, and a threesome turned bad.
All shows are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets, or contact The Birchmere at 703-549-7500 or visit www.Birchmere.com.
