It's her comeback: Heather McMahan talks life after marriage Friday in Montgomery

Friday’s a night for Southern women to unite, laugh and get real. That’s when comedian Heather McMahan is making a comeback of sorts in Montgomery.

“We let our hair down,” McMahan said. “It’s a judgement free zone. I really get into it. It’s not for the church group, but everybody can find something to laugh about. We just have a really great time.”

Last year, Montgomery was among McMahan’s debut stops with her “The Farewell Tour” — which was successful, though a little confusing.

“I called it the 'Farewell Tour,' one, because I didn’t know if they’d have me back,” McMahan said. “And two, I saw that Elton John has been on a farewell tour for the last 40 years and it’s worked for him.”

This time around it’s “The Comeback Tour,” which happens at 8 p.m. Friday at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre.

“I recently got married in Italy. It was a huge Italian international wedding, and then I went on a month-long honeymoon,” McMahan said. “We’re calling it the 'Comeback Tour' because I’m back from the honeymoon. The honeymoon is over. We’re going to talk about the real-life situations of being married and all the craziness that happened at the wedding.”

Getting married, especially for a Southern woman like McMahan, is a huge ordeal. Worth it, but the experience comes with a mountain of expectations. Then, after a couple of “I Do” declarations, it’s suddenly over.

“Nobody talks about what kind of a comedown it is after having a wedding you’ve been planning for years,” McMahan said. “I was a COVID bride, so I had to reschedule everything a million times. And then you’re sitting 10 days into your honeymoon, and you look at this person across the table from you and you realize, wait a minute. I’m stuck with this person forever.”

It’s relatable comedy, things that a house packed with mostly women will get.

“And then walk away saying now I don’t feel so crazy,” McMahan said. “I’m not the only one in my friend group who also deals with a crazy husband or kids. People walk away from the show feeling honestly better about their own situations.”

Kids are still in the planning stage for McMahan, though she’s like an aunt to around 20 kids among her friends. The best part: “I get to return them,” she said.

Marrying a comedian is basically signing a license to be talked about on stage, but are there limits? We’ll find out after her new hubby catches the show. He hasn’t heard her act yet.

“My husband’s a great guy, and we have a solid relationship,” McMahan said. “I think he knows. You know, he’s in on the joke as well, and we’re really an open book.”

Tickets to see McMahan on Friday range from $39.75 to $69.75. They can be purchased online at https://www.mpaconline.org/events/ or from the box office at 334-481-5100.

“I love the Montgomery audience. Y’all have a great town,” McMahan said.

More about McMahan

Some comics have a much darker tone off the stage. That's not McMahan, who said what you see is how she is. “I’m goofy. I don’t take myself too seriously,” said McMahan.

Apparently young Heather was the same.

McMahan grew up and still lives in Atlanta, with a break for her time at the University of Mississippi. She was always a “funny, ridiculous kid,” but said academics just wasn’t her thing. Her first stand-up comedy show was at her junior prom, roasting the senior class.

She’s not the only comic in the family. Her sister is an attorney today, but did stand-up in college.

“My whole family’s funny,” McMahan said. “We’re just all alphas. If you came and sat at the dinner table at night, no matter what day of the week it is, you had to bring your ‘A’ game. My dad was funny. My mom was funny. My sisters are funny. If you wanted a seat at the table, you had to get in there and give everybody your best material.”

When young people ask her how she got into comedy, McMahan tells them, “Because it’s the only thing I’m good at.”

“Good” is a severe understatement. Her Southern take on life in standup comedy led to a starring role in the 2021 Nexflix romcom film “Love Hard.”

“I definitely want to do more acting,” McMahan said. While stand-up is great, she sometimes gets sick of hearing her own voice and wants to dive into new characters.

Her “Absolutely Not” podcast was picked as one of the 10 best for 2021 by Entertainment Weekly.  She said it’s a safe space for people to call in and talk about their crazy daily lives.

“Podcasts are a really cool medium for comedians, because it’s just another way to do a whole hour of material,” McMahan said.

She’s also been a regular guest on NBC’s “Today with Hoda & Jenna,” where she’s even been a guest host.

“The ladies of the Today Show are awesome,” McMahan said. “They gave me my first big national platform.”

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Heather McMahan 'Comeback Tour' stop talks life after marriage Friday