Five years ago, comedian Paula Poundstone didn't have much to laugh about: She faced prison after her arrest on child abuse and child endangerment charges.
Since pleading no contest to child endangerment (the other charges were dropped) in 2001, Poundstone is now a sober single mom with three adopted kids and a tour that brings her to St. Petersburg on Saturday (3/18).
She's bounced back thanks to her quick wit and ability to improvise with her audience.
In a review of a recent show in New York, Poundstone didn't gloss over her drinking problem. She quipped that she was drunk when she went to a pet shop to buy her dog - which she bought after owning nine cats.
"I think the cats started hiding the alcohol after that," she said.
Tickets for shows at 8 and 10 p.m. are $18 advance, $22 day of show, at the State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 895-3045.
More comedy
Capitol Steps through Sun. (3/19). 7:30 p.m. Fri., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sun. Ferguson Hall at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. $27.50-$29.50 (813) 229-7827; or www.tbpac.org.
Robert Schimmel Thurs.-Sun. (3/16-19) 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 7:30 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun. Improv Comedy Theater, 1600 E Eighth Ave., C-112, Tampa. Cover varies. (813) 864-4000.
Collin Moulton Thurs.-Sun. (3/16-19) 8:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun. Side Splitters, at Cascades Plaza, 12938 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Cover varies. Call or check Web site for other showtimes. (813) 960-1197; www.sidesplitterscomedy.com.
Peter Hefty Fri.-Sat. (3/17-18) 9:30 p.m. Coconuts Comedy Club at Cinema Cafe, 24095 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. Cover varies. (727) 797-5653; or www.coconutscomedyclubs.com.