Maria Bamford’s 2025 comedy tour comes to Willits

If laughter really is the best medicine, Maria Bamford delivers a prescription.

Famed comedian Maria Bamford will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 at The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) in Basalt as she takes her latest comedy set on the road in a series of dates across North America.

Known as a champion for destigmatizing mental health, “I’m not depressed as much as paralyzed by hope,” Bamford jokes is her tagline.

“We are fortunate to have Maria on our stage this week,” Kendall Smith, director of programming for The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW), said. “She is funny — full stop. The added bonuses of a Maria set are that you know it will be personal and that she is unafraid to address subjects like mental health.”

Born in California, Bamford later attended the University of Minnesota, where she joined college improv groups and launched her illustrious career in comedy, acting, voice overs, and writing. She began at Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret at age 19. Later, she married a painter named Scott Marvel Cassidy.

Currently, Bamford is based in Highland Park, Los Angeles, since her home was affected by the Altadena fires. Bamford’s latest special is called “Local Act,” she performed in a Altadena theatre that has since burned down.

“It was wonderful. I did it like an open mic, so all the local comedians went up at the end of the show, and everyone got to be listed as an executive producer at the end of the special,” Bamford said of the performance.

Bamford said she’s always excited about her latest project. She’s had more than a half dozen specials and continues to work on standup, voice overs, and television projects.

Through it all, Bamford continues to be passionate about bringing a spotlight to mental health. Bamford wrote the New York Times bestselling 2023 memoir, “Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult,” looking into the topics that include an eating disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and more.

Bamford’s acclaimed 2016 Netflix series, “Lady Dynamite,” is a semi-autobiographical look at fame and mental health. 

“It was a dream come true to have my TV show,” Bamford said. “It was wonderful, and it couldn’t have come out any better.”

Bamford said her family has always been very supportive. Although her parents have passed now, Bamford’s popular special, “The Special Special Special,” was filmed entirely with her parents sitting on the couch as her audience in 2012. Her sister, Sarah Seidelmann, is a doctor.

Bamford is also a sought-after voice actor. She’s been in “Harley Quinn,” “BoJack Horseman,” “Rick and Morty,” “Teenage Euthanasia,” “Mystery Cuddlers,” “Micro Budget,” “Adventure Time,” “Housebroken,” and “Teen Titans Go!” One of her favorites to work on is “Big Mouth.”

“The show addresses puberty and mental health and topics that are taboo to talk about when you’re a kid. Yet, it’s helpful to know that everybody experiences them,” Bamford said.

She’s been favored by other comedians, who share their compliments of Bamford. Judd Apatow called her “the funniest woman in the world.” For those unfamiliar with her sets, Bamford recommends everyone to visit YouTube before heading to live entertainment so that you know it’s for you.

The night will open with two strong acts: Jackie Kashian and Sumukh Torgalkar. 

Tickets for the seated show are $45 for members or $50 advance or $60 on show day. All tickets are final, with a limit of four tickets per purchaser. Required ID for 21+.

For tickets, visit https://tacaw.org/calendar/comedian-maria-bamford/.

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