Racy comedian Brie Johnson signs off on St. Louis
Local comedian Brie Johnson is apparently over the whole local thing.
The funny gal is packing up and moving to Los Angeles. She drives out June 12, and expects to arrive two or three days later, beginning her search for bigger and better things, as she puts it.
Johnson, who is white, made a name for for herself here with comedy that dealt with race, quite uncomfortably. Her primary audience was African-American, and she often addressed things such as the size of African-American women’s behinds and ashy African-American skin.
Her brand of comedy drew a mixed reaction here, and was deemed way too extreme for some.
“It’s all very touchy. I’m making fun of stereotypes, pointing out the obvious. I try to make it look like I have no clue what I’m talking about, even though I do. I’m making fun of black people, but I change it around,” she told me in a 2006 interview.
Her farewell party is from 8 p.m.-closing Sunday at BARcelona, 34 North Central Avenue.
Photo credit: Katherine Bish
Kevin C. Johnson has covered the St. Louis' music and nightlife scene for the past decade. 
That is a wonderful pic of her on stage at the WORLD FAMOUS IMPROV THEATER in St. Louis Union Station!!! That place birthed a many a career! If memory serves me correctly (I’ve killed a brain cell or two in my day) that show she opened for Ray Lipowski, also a white comic who performs mostly “urban” comedy. The difference is, Ray talks about more than just racial issues and builds a better rapport with his mostly black audience. it comes off as less shocking, thus, less offince offensive. I wish Bre well in LA!