By: Steph Fume
The world of comedy is set to be reignited as D’yan Forest, celebrated as the world’s oldest working female comedian by the Guinness Book of World Records, steps back onto the stage at Gotham Comedy Club on January 22, 2024. Known for her colorful tales about life, love, and successful aging, Forest’s energetic and charismatic presence is sure to breathe joy and laughter into the crowd.
Born and bred in Boston, Forest’s lifelong affair with performing and singing began at the age of ten. Even as a seasoned veteran, the flair and passion that ignited her career continue to fuel her performances. From small-scale clubs with an audience of 15 to rooms filled to capacity, Forest’s love for stand-up comedy remains resolute and infectious. Recalling her stand-up comedy debut, Forest remembered, “I’d never done comedy onstage before. Then for five minutes, I used my ukulele for a parody of Thank Heaven for Senior Sex, and that was it. When I saw people laugh, I couldn’t believe it. By my third joke, I was hooked.” Forest has since shared the stage with comedy legends and been featured on The Drew Barrymore show.
Ever since her transformation into a comedian, Forest has never looked back. In every stage she graces, Forest dazzles her audience with her wit, her charm, and her unwavering confidence. She lights up every club, theater, and intimate stage, delighting audiences with stories from her life that she crafts into laugh riots. At the ripe age of 89, the unabashed honesty she brings to discussing her life’s various escapades continues to surprise and entertain her diverse audience.
Talking about her comedic approach, she says, “Nobody can believe an 89-year-old is saying what I say about what went on in my life. It works because they know I’m a little embarrassed about what I’m saying, and let’s face it, I am. But this is the comedy that works.”
Forest was last on stage at Gotham Comedy Club on November 13, 2023. She performed right before Jim Gaffigan, who joked that the two had recently started dating as he began his set. Other performers with D’yan on the night of her last set at Gotham Comedy Club were The Daily Show’s Ronny Chieng, comedy legend George Wallace, and standup pro Jerry Seinfeld.
Forest’s upcoming show at the Gotham Comedy Club is heralded with a great deal of anticipation, marking her triumphant return to the stage. Her endearing persona, her relatable humor, and her shared experiences offer a refreshing experience to her audience, regardless of their age. Forest’s brand of comedy has carved a unique niche, not only for her as a performer but for audience members seeking a remarkable comedic night out.
Her uninterrupted engagement with comedy and performance art is not only an inspiration but is also a testament to her resilience and unwavering love for her craft. Forest exemplifies the power of humor in connecting hearts, exemplifying that age is indeed just a number when it comes to living one’s passion.
So mark your calendars for D’yan Forest’s triumphant return at Gotham Comedy Club on January 22, 2024. It’s a performance that promises an evening filled with laughter, connection, and unforgettable comedy from a true stand-up icon.
For more information about her upcoming shows and her incredible journey, follow her on Instagram @dyanforestwriter or visit her website at www.dyanforest.com. Take the chance to get to know D’yan Forest better – a comedienne whose love for laughter and life truly knows no bounds.
