Brigid Broderick Rides Off Into the Sunset at Her Music Comedy Show 'Horse Girl Nation'
- Kora Elms Fleming
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Brigid Broderick, what can’t she do? She’s a comedian, podcaster, shop girl, nanny, surveyor of every scene, and jack of literally all trades. But, most of all, she is the creator of Horse Girl Nation--a hilarious, coy, and heartfelt comedy show that I attended at the Empty Bottle in Chicago. With sparkly boots and the voice of an angel, Broderick delivered a show that intertwined music, laughs, and most importantly, raised money for lesbian horses.
The room quickly filled up. People scurried to their seats or the stairs on the side of the stage. With drinks in hand, the room buzzed with Wednesday songs and giggles from the crowd eagerly waiting for Broderick to appear. With an entrance only RuPaul could rival, Broderick came singing onto the stage with “I Wanna Be A Cowboy” and a pit crew trailing behind her. The audience was quickly on board, singing and laughing along as Broderick led us through the most glamorously unhinged fundraiser one could attend.
Horse Girl Nation takes the crowd on a fundraising journey. For lesbian horses of course. Why lesbian horses? Broderick made a pretty clear, solid pitch of why horses are lesbians, “We know this because they told us. They love Ellen, they are really good at sports, and are always standing next to somebody wearing a flannel.” I mean with that case who are we to deny it?
The fundraising began. But, speaking to a crowd of creative Chicagoans in a recession is…ambitious. So, Broderick pivoted with more music and more jokes, “I heard stand up comedy is really lucrative,” Broderick joked. Showcasing her music major chops, she delivered ballads that had the crowd howling. Her band included a slew of Chicago music scene heavy hitters, including Modern Nun’s Edie McKenna.
With the goal still out of reach, Broderick got a “call” from none other than famous Bachelorette turned Dancing With The Stars Champion and lesbian, Gabby Windey. With the phone cord twirling in Broderick’s hand, Windey suggested writing a grant to make up the money. Great idea. But, grant question number one is “What is your biggest dream?” To which Broderick had the perfect response, and my favorite song of the night. “Talented Gay Guy.”
“I could have a podcast with a straight girl/Or even sing pop music/Or be a creative director/Is that even a real job.” The crowd joined in at the chorus, hopefully making Broderick’s dreams form into reality, or maybe even raising that money just a little more.
Unfortunately, the grant suppliers didn’t love the answer to which Broderick had to go back to the drawing board. Windey calls back offering to have Broderick write a song for Chappell Roan, but Chappell passes leaving Rosie O’Donnell to come in and save the day, picking up the song and the remainder of the money, saving those lesbian horses at the end of the day.
But, the cherry on top and my favorite joke of the whole night was why Broderick identifies with the cause and these horses. She too is a lesbian needing to be free. How did she find that out? The way everyone does, “A guy with a Pinegrove tattoo made me watch Eric Andre.”
With a slew of original songs and jokes that make your top rib hurt, Brigid Broderick accomplished her goal and filled Empty Bottle with a hilarious night as promised. Her jokes are charming, hilarious, creative, and always relatable with a punch that’ll have you leaning over to your friends saying, “That’s you.”
Horse Girl Nation lives forever.
Keep up with Brigid through her podcast, socials, and newsletter all linked below.
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