Comedy Wed Apr 03 2013

Party Like a Kardashian on Sunday at Studio Paris

By Caitlin Bergh

Fawzia Mirza's hilarious web series "Kam Kardashian," which follows the daily adventures of the long-lost gay Kardashian sister Kam, is having a huge season two launch party this Sunday in association with the monthly Chicago queer event "T Party" at Studio Paris in River North. If you want to party like a Kardashian with some of the funniest and most successful people in Chicago, Studio Paris on Sunday is definitely the place to be. I had a chance to talk to Mirza, the creator and star of "Kam Kardashian" and director Ryan Logan , about their incredible project as it launches into its second season, and why you can't afford to miss the upcoming sexy fun Kardashian party this weekend.

What are you most excited for about the Season 2 launch party?
Logan: We're excited to launch our season at the T Party at Studio Paris because it's a place where everyone can have fun, celebrate in style and party like a Kardashian but in a queer-friendly environment. And I am always eager to bring different communities together: queer, comedy, theatre, film.

How did you choose Studio Paris for this event?
Logan: It's such a gorgeous, sexy place. We could never say no to that! It has also been very encouraging that the T Party (the event that's hosting us) is a monthly gay event that's taking place in one of the hottest clubs in town. Fawzia and I have attended every one. It's my favorite queer event in Chicago, hands down.

What can people expect on Sunday?
Logan: Lots of drinking, dancing, and you'll even get to watch a little Kam as well. What also sets the venue apart from the others, in my opinion, is that you actually meet so many people. Typically when going out people just cluster up with their friends, nobody mingles. This space is so open and beautiful, that people wander and say "hello." It's fantastic.

If you had to give people one reason to watch the show, what would it be?
Logan: If you don't like laughter, gays, people of color and satire, perhaps keep your TV tuned to FOX News instead. For everyone else, you'll love it. Promise.

Fawzia, if the real Kardashians saw this show, what do you think they would say?
Mirza: I'm hoping they'd like it. I mean, yes, the protagonist in the show is the gay Kardashian sister, but it's also the story of a woman who feels like an outsider in her family, someone who is constantly trying to live up to where she comes from, who she is related to, and secretly always want to make her mother proud, but isn't very successful at it. She makes mistakes, she gets into trouble, she gets into some weird situations and she is unapologetically adoring of women. The comedy of the show isn't about making fun of the Kardashians--a lot of other people do that--but that's not our style. Our goal is not to be mean and degrading of women or any people, but rather at times use satire and parody to comment on social, racial and other issues.

Who is your favorite Kardashian and why?
Mirza: For me, it's Kim. There's just something about a powerful woman who can wield over 17 million Twitter followers that makes me want to hang out in a bathrobe with her and talk about spray tanning. I also kind of love all the sisters for deflecting all the negativity they constantly face about their fluctuating body size.

Which is more likely--that a real, long lost gay Kardashian sister is out there or that a real Laughness Monster is out there? Which one is scarier?
Mirza: Likely? A gay Kardashian sister. I mean, every family has someone who identifies as queer, right? Especially with all the scandals and discoveries and secrets and sex tapes that happen in the Kardashian family, of course there's the secret gay sister. Which is scarier? Hands down that British water monster!

What has been the best part about playing Kam Kardashian?
Mirza: Creating Kam's bio has been fascinating. I've overheard myself or Ryan say, "Kam would never do that!" I love that we've cobbled together such a robust backstory for her. And as Kam, I get to be an irreverent, tough, brash, whiskey-drinking woman. If Kam needs a shirt, she'll swipe it from your laundry basket. If she needs a place to sleep, she'll spoon you in your twin bed or hammock--she's not picky. Her best friend is often found in a bathtub and her favorite possessions are a flask and a magic eight ball.

Who are some of your favorite people to work with on this project?
Mirza: Our creative team is amazing: Ryan Logan, director, editor, writer, who is my life partner minus the joint tax returns and sexual relationship and Amanda Clifford, who shoots Kam, brings so much energy to the project. Our whole team rocks--Deann Baker, Curtis Cassell, Jayme Joyce, James Thompson and Gosia Gorniak!
I love having the ability to cast funny, talented, strong women and people of varying race, type, sexual orientation, etc., and not being bound by societal or stereotypical TV norms in casting or content. I love every single person we cast because every one of them was someone I adore and admire and wanted to work with, whether it be a stand up comic, a storyteller, a theatre actor or an improviser.

Ryan, what has it been like directing Kam Kardashian?
Logan: Horrible. Fawzia is extremely demanding. She demands only orange Skittles in her dressing room, very expensive lip balm made from the wings of a nearly extinct dragonfly (which I must collect), and the sacrificial lamb we burn before shooting totally stinks up the set. I'm totally kidding. I've never had more fun! It's always a pleasure to work with Fawzia and our director of photography, Amanda Clifford, who has such a great eye. The atmosphere is so loose and comfortable.

How does this compare to other projects you have worked on?
Logan: Although I make generally make short films, they are far more dramatic in tone. It's been nice to loosen my collar a bit. The cast is also so much larger than the projects I've directed before. It's crazy how much talent is in the Chicago comedy scene. In this season we have the incomparable Beth Stelling, Mary Hollis Inboden, The Puterbaugh Sisters, Candy Lawrence, Joel Kim Booster and so many more.

Do you think this show will help kids who are growing up gay with hot, straight, famous sisters?
Logan: I'd like to think so. Also if there's a long-lost gay Franco brother out there and you're reading this, please contact this website's administrator. She will call me on your behalf and we will date.

Any other projects you want to plug?
Mirza: We have so much going on with Kam! The whole season has yet to unfold and we plan on doing a season 3! But, between episodes, if you want to see me on stage as someone other than Kam, you can see me at The Goodman Theatre in The Happiest Song Plays Last which is part of The Latino Theatre Festival, with previews beginning April 13 and running until May 12.

The Season 2 launch party of "Kam Kardashian" will be at Studio Paris 59 W. Hubbard on Sunday, April 7, 2013 in association with T Party. The day kicks off at Studio Paris with T Party at 2pm. The Kam crew will arrive at 4pm, with a "Kam Kardashian" screening at 7pm. There is no cover. For bottle/table service, email Ben Foreman (bforeman@leye.com). For more information about the web series, visit kamkardashian.com and watch episodes at youtube.com/kamkardashian.