Show Report: Ms. Foundation Comedy Hour

“It used to be that it wasn’t feminine to be funny. Now it is,” said Gloria Steinem before the Ms. Foundation fundraiser at “The 19th Annual Comedy Hour at Caroline's on Broadway” Wednesday night.

“The ability to make people laugh is a form of power.”

Gloria is a funny woman. She’s a natural. With refreshing charm and graciousness, she’s knows how to inspire laughter. When she took the stage, she got ‘em laughing immediately.

“I’m the opening act for the debates,” she said. Commenting on Sarah Palin and the Republican Party she noted, “It seems to me that for any Hillary supporter to be interested in Sarah Palin it would be like saying, ‘They stole my shoes, so I’m going to amputate my leg.’”

The show’s MC, Suzanne Whang, a self-described "Craze-Asian," kept the show flowing smoothly with insightful clarity and wit.

"Humor lowers defenses so you can sneak messages in,‚Äù she explained. ‚ÄúIt levels the playing field, releases endorphins, it‚Äôs good for your ab muscles, raises your vibrational frequency and your consciousness — and what‚Äôs more important than that?"

The comedic consciousness was in full force throughout the hilarious and high-energy evening. The show featured seven fabulous females, each with their own endearing style, packing a positive punch.

Kristin Schaal

Ms. Schaal, a contributor on The Daily Show,
was the first in a stellar lineup, telling a wonderful and strange
story of how her father (a P.O.W. just like McCain) met her mother, who
was the enemy.

Marla Schultz

She portrayed exaggerated Jewish angst from Long Island, including a
wickedly funny woman in a fur coat with long scary fingernails, angry
with an animal rights activist.

Bernadette Pauley

The audience exploded with laughter at her every sentence, including,
"Speaking of Long Island, are any of you here drinking a Long Island
ice tea? A Long Island ice tea isn’t a drink; it’s a cry for help. It
says: ‘Can you help me forget who I am and the people I’m with?’"

Jane Condon

"I'm from Greenwich, Connecticut, but I’m still a nice person"
announced Jane. Commenting on same sex marriage she said, "What's the
problem? My husband and I have been having the same sex for years!"

Marina Franklin

With a charismatic and sweet style, Marina shared her observations on
what repels and attracts a man. She also did a hysterical routine about
asking a mother to stop yelling at her kid.

Katie Goodman

Katie brought the house down by belting out a brilliant operatic song that said goodbye to George Bush.

Maureen Langan

Closing the show, Maureen had some scathing and honest insights about
men and women. "I just love judging people," she said. "It gives me
hours of pleasure."

With the crowd standing and applauding wildly, Gloria Steinem called
out, "Are we going to live longer by strengthening our immune system?
Thank you everyone for giving us the power to laugh!"

-Lese Dunton