Parks and Rec star Amy Poehler heading to Australia for live event
By Thomas Mitchell
Amy Poehler will join this year’s Vivid Sydney lineup for a special Vivid Ideas event at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, May 27, organisers announced on Tuesday morning.
The much-loved actor and comedian, whose career credits include Parks & Recreation, Saturday Night Live, and Mean Girls, will be joined by ABC presenter Zan Rowe for the in-conversation event.
Poehler, who is one of Hollywood’s most versatile and sought-after talents, with credits including actor, writer, director, producer, and bestselling author, will front Vivid Sydney Presents.
Poehler’s Vivid appearance will also double as a promotional event for her new film, Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2. Audiences will be shown a 30-minute excerpt of ‘select scenes’ from the movie.
“I’m really looking forward to taking part in Vivid Sydney this year, a place that welcomes Joy in every way,” said Poehler. “I can’t wait to share a little of Inside Out 2: a movie that lets Joy and Sadness, Anxiety and Envy—all try to work together in hilarious and touching ways.”
Alongside longtime collaborator Tina Fey, Poehler rose through Chicago’s improv comedy scene in the 1990s before becoming a staple on Saturday Night Live after joining the show in 2001. She won plaudits for her stint as co-host of the Weekend Update segment, which she co-hosted with Fey.
The pair also co-starred in the hit 2004 film Mean Girls and have co-hosted the Golden Globes four times.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler behind the SNL news desk.Credit: AP
Poehler left SNL halfway through her eighth season to star as Leslie Knope in the sitcom Parks and Recreation, which she produced and acted in until 2015. In addition to her work in TV and film, Poehler’s literary debut Yes Please topped the New York Times Best Sellers list in October 2014, staying there for over 23 weeks.
Festival director Gill Minervini said: “Amy Poehler is comedy royalty and the perfect person to join us as part of Vivid Ideas for this year’s Vivid Sydney. Amy’s new film ties in perfectly with the theme of this year’s festival, Humanity, with an accessible take on how the human mind makes decisions and processes emotions.”
Mike White and Jennifer Coolidge from TV series The White Lotus in Sydney for the 2023 Vivid Festival.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
Billed as the Harbor City’s “annual festival of light, music and ideas,” Vivid has increasingly looked to tap into the cultural zeitgeist by adding high-profile celebrities to the lineup.
Last year, The White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge appeared in conversation with Mike White, the creator of the hit series, while homegrown pop star Troye Sivan and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin headlined in 2022.
Vivid Sydney Presents - In Conversation with Amy Poehler will be held at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. Following the event, a bespoke Inside Out 2 projection will light up Customs House at Circular Quay for a one-off, 30-minute projection.
Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.