WENDI FOX REVIEWS: News Articles: October 19, 2005 Issue MTU binges on comedy by: Submission, Outside Source Laughter rang throughout the Rozsa Center for Performing Arts Tuesday night as Wendi Fox and her Alcohol Insanity Tour rocked Houghton. Her performance centered on the negative and, in her case, often hilarious outcomes of alcohol abuse. Fox has relentlessly toured college campuses across the nation promoting alcohol awareness for 16 years and had been a stand-up comedian for many years prior to that. Wendi's trademark humorous and straightforward stories about her personal experiences with alcohol abuse were in full force Tuesday. She did her best to keep the audience on their toes and holding their bellies in laughter. Her performance began with a reassuring message: "For those of you who are required (to be here) it's not going to suck." Fox certainly didn't disappoint. She was both funny and heartfelt, while never crossing the line towards preaching. She admitted to the audience of varsity athletes, first-year students and other students that she couldn't stop them from drinking. "I don't want you guys to misunderstand me. I don't want you guys to think that I'm telling you not to drink, because I'm not. My main point here is I don't want you guys to drink to pass out." Often times throughout the night, she related her stories toward specific groups present in the audience. For instance, the student athletes in attendance were singled out for their tendency to binge drink. Fox told the audience about her cousin who played basketball in college and his reasons for binge drinking. Through her story, she correlated the athlete's busy schedule with how they come about their mentality of finding, "That one 20-minute span where they can drink and they try to fit it in there." The women in the audience were also an important part of her show. Wendi emphasized the importance of not losing, "The Sixth Sense," a person's gut feeling, and how important staying in groups and supporting each other are. "Women, when you're out there drinking, you guys have to stick together. Girls, you have to hang out in packs of 100. Keep the young, the weak and the drunk in the middle." She also hammered home the idea that, "No means no, when a woman says maybe it means no until further notice." Later in the show, Fox described her dysfunctional family life that helped nurture her alcohol addiction. After telling stories of her alcoholic father, aunts and uncles, siblings and cousins, she reminded the audience that often times, the family you come from isn't as weird as you might think. Embrace your roots and be proud of who you are. "For all those people who come from this kind of family that I come from too, never ever be embarrassed of where you come from. You look to the left, you look to the right, there are families just as whacked as yours only different. Don't spend your time being embarrassed of where you come from or who you are. The future only depends upon you, what your goals are, and where you're going." It was her ability to keep the serious subject matter on an informal and humorous tone that really allowed her to connect with the audience. The final portion of her show consisted of bridging the gap of the person we are now to the person we were when we were five years old. Wickedly funny stories involving her five-year-old son and the nuggets of wisdom he, like so many other younger children, dispense regularly helped put the performance in perspective. Her key points were to: listen to your body, be true to yourself and act like a five-year-old as much as possible. In the end, Fox tied her two perspectives, the life of a five-year-old, and the life of an adult, into a single idea. "What's the difference between the soul of a five-year-old and the soul of a 20-year-old? Nothing. The only difference is that we have much more respect for the five-year-old than we do the 20-year-old. Next time you go to make a decision, make a decision based on the fact that you're in charge of that little girl or that little boy." Wendi Fox gave the entire audience regardless of background, family history, or social class, a chance to question the decisions they make when they drink. By recounting the stories of her childhood and troubled early adulthood, Fox captured the minds of her audience and asked them to "Make your only addiction in life be laughter." Quotes and Feedback: When we ask people what they thought of Wendi's performance, this is what they had to say! "Wendi has been to Assumption so many times now, it's not performing any more, it's more like catching everyone up to speed at a family reunion! We love her!" Joe Golia Associate Dean of Campus Life Director Of Student Activities Assumption College Worcester, MA "Wendi is the best thing to happen to a dry state since water. She's uplifting, she's funny and most of all, she's your friend." Beckie Hermansen Snow College Ephraim, UT "Wendi is awesome! The kids loved her. She really is the best comedienne with the best message. I would have her back every year if possible." Edna Early Student Life Director WITC New Richmond, WI "The show itself is a great mix between awareness, entertainment and education. I was amazed by the student reaction. Wendi inspired them to make good decisions and to think before they react." Dave Bourassa Assistant Director Of Student Activities Regis University, Denver CO "The students here can be a tough crowd to reach, and as usual, she was brilliant. Her performance lecture was thought-provoking, funny and hip. She really seemed to reach our students. Thanks!" Richard W. Kershaw Director of Keathley University Center Middle Tennessee State University "Wendi's performance and message was powerful...everyone gained new insight into the struggle of surviving the insane mixture of alcohol and family life. I was impressed with her professionalism throughout her visit at Hamilton College." Stephanie Matson-Santora Program Coordinator, Student Activities Hamilton College Clinton, NY "Wendi was awesome while still providing a ton of entertainment!" Annoys Evaluation Butler University Indianapolis, IN "I have had to edit this film a million times and I still enjoy watching her perform." Jody McNicholas Director/Producer Documentary - "A Wave Of Compassion" "Watching Wendi was like trying to take a drink of water out of a fire hose." Spanky Bass Player Thornbird "She was brilliant. I'm stunned. She's like John Lennon if he were a comedienne. That's how good she is." Bella Lead Vocalist Thornbird "She's my best friend." Max Fox-Vasquez Wendi's 5-year-old son "Her shows were right on target with what we wanted her to come and speak to our students about. I was pleased with the way she was able to handle the troublemakers and keep the show in line." Amy L. Walker Director Of Student Activities Young Harris College Young Harris, GA "Thank you for your commitment to educating others on the very serious issues of self-esteem, substance abuse, and finding the path of health. I believe our presentation inspired several students to think twice about their current paths. After years of working with various entertainers and speakers, I really can't recall a more pleasant experience." Rueben D. Perez, Director Student Organizations and Activities Emporia State University Emporia, KS "Wendi was great! Her comedic approach to alcohol awareness is very refreshing to college students who sit through 'traditional lectures' every day. Her outlook on life is incredible." Robyn W. Boyd Director Of Student Activities The University of West Alabama "I may want her to come back next year at the same price." Mark Brewster Special Events Executive Student Activities Committee Southwest State University Marshall, MN