Dreams really do come true! I have been a fan of Comedy Icon Rosie O'Donnell ever since she hosted VH1's Stand Up Spotlight Series in the 1980s & 1990s.

The first time I got to "meet" Rosie was when I attended her 1994 Comedy Show at Boston's famed Comedy Connection. During her set, Rosie asked the audience if we had any questions. This was just a few years after her triumphant performance in Penny Marshall's A League of Their Own.

I raised my hand & Rosie selected me to ask a question. Of course, I had to ask her, "Are you still friends with Madonna?" I have never forgotten Rosie's answer because it made me feel so special! Rosie said, "Yes & she says hello!"

Rosie has been such an inspiration to me (part of which I write about in my debut book) that I am forever grateful to have this opportunity to interview one of my ALL TIME favorite ENTERTAINMENT IDOLS!

In this interview, Rosie answered my call to share:

• Why Rosie returned to the stage with her deeply personal new solo show, Common Knowledge
• What she wants audiences to feel & carry with them after seeing the show
• How writing Common Knowledge changed her understanding of her own life
• The ways she still finds joy & laughter through her hardest seasons
• So much more

Connect with Rosie: Instagram, TikTok, Substack

Fresh off SOLD-OUT RUNS in Ireland, Australia Ojai, CA & at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival, Rosie is now bringing her NEW solo show, Common Knowledge, to the Daryl Roth Theatre in NYC for a very limited run - 12 PERFORMANCES ONLY! 

It’s her first new stage show in almost a decade. Witty, personal and sharply observed, Common Knowledge is a richly told hour that balances big laughs with deep insight.

Now living in Dublin, Rosie shares unfiltered reflections on leaving the US, raising and learning from her fiercely bright youngest child, Clay, and adjusting to a new yet familiar culture.

A long-time advocate and cultural icon, Rosie brings humor, presence and an unflinchingly direct voice to the stage.

Common Knowledge will run for 12 PERFORMANCES ONLY, from July 23, 2026- August 8, 2026! Click Here for tickets!

1. This summer you are bringing your new critically acclaimed solo show, Common Knowledge, to the Daryl Roth Theatre in NYC. What was the moment that made you realize it was time to write a new show? I MOVED TO IRELAND AND SAW MY MOTHER'S FACE IN THE BEAUTIFUL 90 YEAR IRISH WOMEN IN THE STREET - I STARTED WRITING ABOUT MY MEMORIES AND FEELINGS - AND ENDED UP WITH A PLAY ABOUT MOTHERING WHILE MOTHERLESS.

2. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing Common Knowledge? I HOPE THEY HAVE A LOVELY NIGHT OFF BROADWAY AT THE DARYL ROTH THEATRE - I HOPE THEY R MOVED BY THIS SHOW.

3. What did you learn about yourself from writing this show that you didn't know living through it? THAT LOSING MY MOTHER - WAS THE DEFINING MOMENT OF MY LIFE - ALTHOUGH U NEVER RECOVER - U FIGURE OUT HOW TO SURVIVE - IT TOOK ME TIL I WAS 64 TO PUT IT ALL DOWN ON PAPER - AND THEN ON STAGE.

4. Throughout your illustrious career, you have brought joy & laughter to millions of people, sometimes during their darkest moments. How do you continue to find joy & laughter through your toughest times? I HAVE A WONDERFUL GROUP OF FRIENDS - GREAT DOCTORS AND 5 CHILDREN WHO NEED ME - U GET THROUGH BECAUSE U HAVE TO.

5. I'd love to find out more about you by playing off the title of your new show, Common Knowledge. What do you feel is one Common Knowledge fact about yourself that you think everyone knows, but when you tell people, they have no idea? I DON'T SEE MYSELF THRU THE PRISM OF MY CAREER - I DON'T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE PERCEIVE ABOUT ME - IT'S NONE OF MY BUSINESS. IF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ME, COME SEE THE SHOW❤️❤️❤️

Rosie O'Donnell
Photo Courtesy of Rosie O'Donnell's Social Media

More on Rosie O'Donnell:

Rosie O'Donnell is a Tony, Emmy & Grammy Award winner with a decades-long career that spans film, television and theatre. Her Emmy winning talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show ran for six seasons, from 1996-2002.

Rosie has starred & guest starred on numerous TV shows including Gimme A Break, Beverly Hills 90210, The Larry Sanders Show, The Nanny, All My Children, Suddenly Susan, Murphy Brown, Ally McBeal, Spin City, Will & Grace, Queer As Folk, Nip/Tuck, Drop Dead Diva, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Happily Divorced, The Fosters, Mom, When We Rise, Difficult People, SMILF, Russian Doll, The L Word: Generation Q, Hacks, And Just Like That.

Rosie has lit up the big screen in such iconic films as A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle, The Flintstones, Now and Then & Harriet The Spy.

On Broadway, Rosie starred as Rizzo in the 1994 revival of Grease, The Cat in the Hat in Seussical The Musical, Golde in the 2004 Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof & produced the 2003 Broadway musical Taboo.

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