In 2005–2006, I performed with Jill “the Wood Nymph” Summerville in the post-alternative comedy duo The Pathological Upstagers.
“Formed in 2005 as a response to the self-pitying melodramatic whinging and awfully, utterly humorless trends of their surroundings (both theatrically and communally), The Pathological Upstagers took the Yellow Springs post-alternative comedy scene by storm. The Upstagers, comprised of Jill Summerville and Vee Levene (who, ironically, did not know that both their names rhymed when they teamed up), are complex and multifaceted (both stylistically and personally), and so this page can give you only a glimpse into their world.”
“Confessions Of A Fantasexual,” 11/05
— “Jill! I think she’s the one!”
— “Oh Vee! What’s she like?!”
— “Well Jill, she’s absolutely gorgeous. She’s got these amazing eyes. Her eyes are like… limpid pools of the northern Atlantic on a warm summer’s day. And she’s got huge… a huge laugh! She’s just so funny! I’m laughing right now just thinking about it!”
— “I’ve met someone too!”
— “No! Oh, Jill, do tell!”
— “He’s perfect! You know how important a man’s character is to me. He is a social activist. He goes to social events all of the time. He went to a movie premiere last week.”
— “What’s he look like, Jill?”
— “Well he’s a model, and he’s got this amazing bum. And his eyes… His eyes are like limpid pools of hot chocolate.”
Mandy Devons’ Circus Of Fear, 4/06
Reviews
— “You’re fucking hysterical.” —Rachel
— “Funny and disturbing. Funny when you were watching it, then when you thought about it afterward you were like, ‘Wow, that was really disturbing.'” —Josh
— “What the fuck.” —Leena
— “Yeah, I couldn’t really follow that.” —Fae
— “That was beautiful.” —Erin’s stepdad
— “That was really good in a disturbing way.” —Jill’s brother
— “I loved the… costumes.” —Dylan
— “Well, at least they laughed.” —Jill’s mum
— “I thought it was going to be funny.” —Vee’s mom
— “You guys are scary… What’s wrong with you?” —Gaviotas
Further Reading
The Post-Alternative Rule Of Three — A manifesto for the creation, restoration, and integration of chaotic disintegration, high comedy, and carnival chic – as manifested by The Pathological Upstagers
Separated By Skin: An Update On The Pathological Upstagers — “Comedians are the only people who are not truly alone in this world. The rest of us isolated from others by seriousness and self-importance must fend for ourselves.”
The Latest Upstagersian Pursuits: A Chat With The Pathological Upstagers — “The two of you have claimed that you, as a duo, use comedy to manipulate the world into the shape that best suits you.”
If Only This Date Had The Speed Of Your Tongue and It Adds Up: Promotion — “The gimp and the andro-dyke have kindly agreed to obviate the possibility of audience confusion by answering some commonly asked questions.”
Interview and Profile — “We formed The Pathological Upstagers in an attempt to prove The Importance of Being Ironic, if you will pardon the Oscar Wilde reference. However, we wanted to prove that comedians can address serious issues as well.”
Putting The “And” In Random: A Chat With The Pathological Upstagers — “After about five minutes in their company, the charisma that underlies their shyness like the crimson lining on a black satin cloak begins to emerge.”