Review: An Enlightened Chelsea Handler Brings Wisdom to Minneapolis
Her Life Will Be the Death of Me tour is in support of her new book of the same name.
Chelsea Handler originally decided to pursue stand-up comedy after a retelling of her drunk driving story went over well with a crowd of fellow offenders. The new her tells pressing stories stemming from marginalized communities. It’s the type of personal growth every person yearns for; to not only achieve fame and success, but to use one’s voice for positive change.
Handler’s website is not the typical vanity page, but a real call to arms to get out and vote, support Planned Parenthood and Syrian youth. Her shop even donates its proceeds to an LGBTQIA+ charity. Her on-stage persona at the State Theatre reflected this, but she still delivered the big, sometimes off-color laughs she’s known for. There was still a reference to her fabled relationship with 50 Cent — plus a drug-related story or two — but there were also calls to action, and stories about people impacted by the policies of President of the United States Donald J. Trump.
Handler told her Minneapolis crowd of the breakthrough she had in therapy, about her rage toward the state of the world. At its core, her anger was truly about her older brother dying suddenly when she was still very young. She recounted the story of his death with grace and some levity.
This type of honest communication about mental health care is important, as it normalizes therapy and encourages others to seek help, too. It was refreshing to hear such a big voice in comedy get so real about life. More than any of Chelsea Handler’s previous works, the Life Will Be the Death of Me tour and book are authentic products of change, and it’s refreshing to witness.
