HOUSTON (October 2, 2017) - For many comedians, the irony of their craft is that they turn painful real-life situations into hilarious anecdotes on stage. Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams is certainly amongst those ranks. Her life story is so gripping that it led Harper Collins, one of the “Big Five” largest publishing companies in the United States, to publish her book in August 2017 under their Dey Street Books brand. The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and leading publications have featured her story of struggle and success, and the book was voted an Amazon Best Book of August 2017. She brings her anecdotes from the pages to the stage in Houston to perform stand up for a three-night run at the Joke Joint Comedy Showcase.

Ms. Pat never thought she’d live to see success nor even adulthood. Being raised by a single mother of five, she learned early on to fend for herself. If she and her siblings were hungry they would go to the ER and wait for the candy striper volunteers to come with sandwiches for waiting families. She had her first child at only 14 and her second at 15. Swooped up in the crack epidemic of the 1980s, she became a drug dealer in her teens known by the street name “Rabbit.” The luxury of being able to purchase her own Cadillac at 16 came at a cost, however, as she was shot and arrested numerous times.

At 19, her life took a turn when she took in her drug addicted sister’s four children, met a supportive partner, and decided to get out of the “life.” To care for her sister’s kids she enlisted the help of government welfare assistance, and it was during these visits that Ms. Pat was first told she had a talent for telling funny stories. In 2003, with her case-worker’s encouragement, she decided to try out stand up comedy during an open mic, and she hasn’t stopped since.

“Joke Joint is the longest running comedy showcase in Houston, and we are committed to providing a platform for great entertainment,” said venue co-owner Kenneth Reed. “We recently hosted Saturday Night Live legend Tim Meadows, and having a nationally-featured comedian like Ms. Pat who has had such a jaw-dropping journey is a treat for us and for the city. It will bring some much-needed laughter after the stressful events of Hurricane Harvey.”

Ms. Pat has appeared on the TV Guide Network’s “Standup in Stilettos,” Nickelodeon’s “Mom’s Night Out,” BET’s “Comicview,” Katt Williams’ “Kattpacalypse,” and is a regular guest on the syndicated Bob and Tom Radio Show. She has become a podcast regular with appearances on popular shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, Ari Shaffir’s Skeptic Tank, and the Bertcast with Bert Kreischer, to name a few. She most recently appeared on Comedy Central’s “This is Not Happening” and NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” Her book “Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat” is available from booksellers nationwide.

Ms. Pat will be performing at the Joke Joint Comedy Showcase, 11460 Fuqua Street, Houston, TX 77089. Showtimes:

October 12th - 8 pm

October 13th - 8 pm and 10:30 pm

October 14th - 8 pm and 10:30 pm

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.jokejointcomedyshowcase.com.