For Joy Julian, 'Laughter is healing.'

VIRGINIA BEACH

Not long ago, Joy Julian said, she never would’ve thought twice about breast cancer.

It doesn’t run in her family, she explained. But after attending the funeral of her best friend, a woman she had known since middle school who succumbed to the disease, Julian decided to get a baseline mammogram.

As a result, in June 2008 at age 35, Julian was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer. Following a lumpectomy, the doctors hit her with “the kitchen sink,” she said – eight rounds of chemotherapy and 33 radiation treatments.

Julian chronicled her experience online; writing helped her through the ordeal, she said. Even at her lowest point – when it seemed her hair would just never stop falling out and her husband sheared what remained – she didn’t get angry. It was happening for a reason, and she resolved to use it for good.

“No matter where I go, I want to tell people I’m a breast cancer survivor,” said Julian, who is cancer free. And for the last three years, she’s parlayed the more humorous aspects of her cancer experience into stand-up comedy.

“I’ve never had anyone tell me, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you did that joke,’ ” said Julian, who touches on topics such as hair loss and radiation. “I’m sharing my experience. I’m not saying, ‘yeah for cancer.’ ”

On Tuesday, the Chesapeake native will open for Washington, D.C.-based comedienne Erin Jackson at the Tickled Pink Tuesday Breast Cancer Benefit at the Virginia Beach Funny Bone.

“Laughter is healing,” Julian explained. “Comedy can bring relief to any tragic situation.” 

The Tickled Pink Tuesday Breast Cancer Benefit includes headliner Erin Jackson, and local comic and breast cancer survivor Joy Julian. Proceeds benefit the Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Virginia Beach Funny Bone, 217 Central Park Ave. $12. 213-5555. www.vbfunnybone.com.

Who or what inspired you to pursue comedy? When I was 29, my friend, Theresa Street, jumped out of an airplane when she turned 40. She asked me what I was going to do when I turned 40. I shrugged and said, “Maybe I’ll do stand-up comedy.” That challenge was moved up after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Theresa found and paid for a stand-up comedy class at the Muse Writing Center in Norfolk. I started at 36 as a result of my bucket list. 

What do you love most about comedy? I love to make others laugh and the energy the audience gives me when I am on stage.

The greatest challenge you face as a comedienne: My biggest challenge is not being able to perform as much because of my daytime job and commitment to my family. Plus, comedy isn’t paying me enough yet to keep Wells Fargo happy. 

Comedic style: One comic described me as a caricature of myself. I really play up my Southern accent. I am a clean comic; however some of my jokes are edgy. I make fun of Chesapeake, my parents, breast cancer, school, weight loss and marriage. 

Greatest source of inspiration: This is so cliché, but very true: being a four-year breast cancer survivor has given me a whole new outlook on life. I try to be an encouragement to others, especially cancer patients/survivors, through comedy. 

Pre-gig ritual: I make my set list with one key word to each joke. I fold it up and hold it in my hand on stage. I never look at it, but it’s like having a security blanket. 

Scariest moment on stage: Maybe not the scariest, but when a microphone doesn’t work, it makes it harder for the audience to hear me. Therefore, no one really laughs, so it is kind of like listening to crickets. 

Favorite gadget: My husband’s iPad – we have to share. 

Favorite TV show from the past: “WKRP in Cincinnati” 

Comfort food: Anything cheesy, salty and crunchy.

Favorite movies: “Gone with the Wind,” “Moulin Rouge,” “Sling Blade,” “Best in Show,” “Star Wars,” “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Erin Brockovich” 

Celebrity twin separated at birth: Paula Deen 

Pet peeve: People who work in customer service who clearly don’t like customers. 

Recently read book you’d recommend: “Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo 

Something you’ve done that others might not expect of you: In high school, I wrote a children’s story. I have wanted to publish it. Maybe this is Bucket List item number two? 

If you could invite three comedians, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be? Brett Leake (from Richmond; first live stand-up I ever saw 20 years ago), Sinbad and Ellen DeGeneres – and Shakespeare. He liked comedy, too!

 Song you’re most likely to be caught dancing to: “Crazy in Love,” Beyonce 

The most memorable words of comedy wisdom you received and from whom: “Keep on being yourself and doing what you do and you will go places,” from local comic, Quincy Carr.