'Tinder Live!' show in Providence mines dating profiles for laughs
Swiping left or right while scrolling online dating profiles has become a modern-day mating ritual as adults of all ages, incomes and sexual preferences seek Mr. Right or Miss Right Now.
The practice proved irresistible fodder for comedian Lane Moore, who created the improvisational comedic experience “Tinder Live” to dissect online profiles and find humor in the inevitable search for love. The show stops at Providence's Columbus Theatre on Oct. 16.
“The first time I used Tinder, I thought it was the most ridiculous thing ever,” says the New York City-based Moore. “I read profiles and kept thinking, ‘Why are you making these choices? Why did you use a picture of yourself on the toilet? Why are you yelling at women in your bio?”
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For her live show, Moore projects her own Tinder profile up on a large screen while she scrolls through profiles of dating hopefuls in the area, lambasting some and, with the audience’s help, choosing several to message in real time. She typically focuses on men’s profiles because she finds them more “over the top.”
“This appeals to anyone — those of us who’ve had bad experiences using dating apps, longtime married couples who have no idea how bad it can be, and those who have no idea how ridiculous their profiles seem,” Moore says. “There’s a lot of crazy people on there!”
Calling her approach “humane” rather than mean, Moore assumes characters and zeroes in on profile statements to become the opposite.
“I play on what they say they want or don’t want. For example, if a man says he doesn’t want to get married, I’ll immediately talk marriage,” she says.
She also gravitates toward bios that seem outrageous.
“If a guy says he’s hanging out a sixth-floor window holding a goat, we’re definitely going to talk to him!” she says. “I go where it feels fun.”
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Even the less outlandish beginnings can get kooky, she says.
“I’ll hit someone up and say, ‘Hey, I’m covered in blood,’ or ‘I’m stuck in a subway grate.’ It’s a goodhearted prank show,” Moore says with a chuckle. “Nine out of 10 times, the guy will play with it because they can tell I’m ridiculous. There’s no way anyone would think I’m a normal human.”
Sometimes, the target is so good-natured with funny replies that the audience roots for them, she adds. She has fixed up a Tinder single with someone in the audience more than once.
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“It can feel isolating going through these profiles, and some are downright hateful,” Moore says. “This is just having fun and realizing you’re not the only one having a bad time.”
Adding to the fun at Saturday's show, Providence-based musician Ted Leo will help Moore dissect profiles.
“It’s always cool to have a guy, because they notice things I didn’t, and he can maybe explain more why a guy made the choices he did,” Moore says.
If you go ...
What: Tinder Live! With Lane Moore and Ted Leo
When: Saturday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.
Where: The Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence
Tickets: $20
COVID safety: Proof of full vaccination required. Masks must be worn in public spaces (lobby, bar, seats) unless actively eating or drinking.
Information: (401) 621-9660, columbustheatre.com or email info@columbustheatre.com