Irene Bremis

G.L.O.C. IRENE BREMIS knows a sense of humor can take you far. Her upcoming memoir Born A Winner! proves just that. Crowned a baby beauty queen before she’d left the hospital, she has been figuratively trying to replace that crown atop her head ever since, all while preserving the priceless ability to laugh at herself.

Can you gives us a taste of what Born A Winner! is about?

Born A Winner! is about an awkward Irene, being raised by awkward parents, in an awkward family. It’s essentially about my upbringing in the late 70′s & 80′s, with a Greek immigrant mother, a father who had Aspergers, an imperious younger sister and an autistic older brother, before Autism could “speak.” Ironically, when I was born in the late 60′s, as immoral as this may sound, I won a baby beauty contest. I was “Baby Beth Israel.” I was even presented with a little sash and tiara. It was quite literally, my “crowning achievement!” It sets the tone for my book, and is an ongoing hook throughout my life, that regardless of how many times I have repeatedly failed… I remind myself that I was Born A Winner!

What made you decide to write a book?

My Father Yianni, passed away few years ago and he was my impetus for writing this book. He always encouraged me to “exploit” my family as much as possible IF it gets me ahead! He was a great storyteller, and he loved being the protagonist in a story, or the butt of a joke. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and taught me how to laugh at myself, not to find myself “laughable,” per say, but to find myself funny. Yianni was also my inspiration to become a comedian.

What is your history with writing and performance?

My history with writing and performance started in the early 90′s when I was a self-proclaimed , critically acclaimed “film maker.” I produced, directed and wrote, because three hats are better than one… just ask Dr. Suess! I wrote and directed a short film, “Astoria Had A Little Lamb” which was accepted to the Taos Film Festival in the late 90′s. In addition to film making I have been doing standing in New York, and across the country for the past ten years. I have also written and performed my two solo shows: Hire Irene!, which expresses my frustrations in show biz, and Three Days to Doomsday!, which is about the three underwhelming days leading up to my 40th birthday. “Dying is easy..turning 40 is HARD!” There are always !’s in my one person show and piece titles, but it’s not enthusiasm. It’s desperation!!!

What was the most difficult aspect of writing the book?

The most difficult aspect of writing the book, was trying to remain as earnest and honest as possible, without dishonoring my family.

What do you hope people will take away from it?

We were all raised differently, and we all have different paths. I guess what I’d like people to take away from it is a sense of understanding their own journey. I felt tortured and bound to many obstacles growing up, but it was the exact opposite in reality. My brother’s autism was not a burden. As cliche as this sounds, he was a blessing. His so called “disability,” made me human.

Who are your influences?

In this business, I am inspired by many of the performers in my life. However, some of my literary influences are David Sedaris and Jeffrey Eugenides. Ironically, both are Greek-American authors who are uniquely genius at turning tragedy into comedy, and comedy into tragedy.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

For my teenage years it’s a toss up between Lady GaGa, because I too dressed like a confused hooker through out my adolescence, or Justin Bieber, because he is feminine and I’m often confused for a tranny. In my later years, I’d love to think it would be Penelope Cruz, Julia Roberts or Eva Mendes, but I think its more plausible that it would be an “extra” or “background” rather, because that’s even more removed. Basically, someone struggling to be noticed! Someone, who when asked the impotent question: “What’s your motivation for this character?” Would reply, “MY LIFE!!!!!”

Your parents had an arranged marriage, how did that affect your views on marriage and relationships?

Very negatively! Not only were they strangers, but they were both virgins. I’m shocked that they even located the appropriate orifice to bring us into the world. Despina, was a bit of a “green card digger,” and Yianni was “unacceptable,” by all standards. His mother was desperate to get rid of him, so it was more of a barter than a marriage. I got married at 42, and am still on a fence about children. Nuff said!

Anything else you’d like to say?

Thank you to Glennis McMurray and G.L.O.C. for all the support to female comedians!

Irene will be reading essays from Born A Winner! on Thursday, May 5th at 9:30PM at The PIT in NYC. Reserve your five dollar tickets here.