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What are you doing this weekend? In The New York Times article, "8 Things to Do This Weekend," UGFTV Professor Susan Sandler's doc, Julia Scotti: Funny That Way, is on of the 8.
“I was living the dream, but something was wrong,” Julia Scotti says when recounting the first act of her comedy career in Sandler’s documentary. In the 1980s, Scotti was an up-and-coming comedian named Richard Gagliardi (later Rick Scotti), representing the state of New Jersey in the Showtime competition “Funniest Person in America” and headlining and touring clubs across the country. By the late ’90s, Scotti realized her true gender identity, and, in the 2000s, dropped out of comedy, underwent transition surgery and became a teacher.
“Julia Scotti: Funny That Way” makes its virtual debut as part of this year’s online version of NewFest, an annual New York L.G.B.T.Q. film festival. The documentary, which is followed by a Q. and A., will stream from Friday to Oct. 27.