War Paint

Iliza Shlesinger relies on a highly physical stage presence, using strange voices and character work to map out the social dynamics of young women. War Paint captures her breaking down the exhausting mechanics of modern femininity. She acts out the reality of a girls’ night out, the indignity of catching a table corner in the crotch, and the lie of pretending to enjoy hiking.

Filmed in 2013 at the Lakewood Theater in her hometown of Dallas, Texas, the hour was Shlesinger’s first full-length special. She had already gained national attention as a winner of Last Comic Standing, but this set established the frantic, creature-like act-outs that became her signature. The resulting album reached number one on the iTunes comedy charts.