SFBG: Is there anything in particular you like to do when you’re in the Bay Area?

SB: Well, of course I like to go out to the local eateries, Dottie’s. I just like to wander around. If I have a day, of course I’d love to get over to Napa or Calistoga and take a mud bath, but I don’t know if I’ll have time on this trip. Or go out to see the redwoods. And then the city itself, of course, it’s gorgeous. Get on Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world, and wander around Chinatown. And relive all of my childhood memories: Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, all the hot spots.

SFBG: For people who haven’t seen you live before, what can they expect when they come see your show?

SB: I think the show is more intimate than if I was doing, like, a theatrical thing. It’ll be a little bit more improvisational. And I’ll be trying out a lot of new material. I’ll be doing a couple of songs from my new album, Whatever It Takes, pared down, kind of stripped down. And some other songs, some covers, and it’ll be intimate because it’s a small room, and that’s always fun. It’s sort of like my Joe’s Pub gig here in New York, it’s 150, 160 people. It’s a living room experience, which I love, because whatever happens, even if it’s a kind of mash-up, it’s just fun, because you’re right there. It’s not like we’re trying to pretend that there’s a fourth wall or whatever. You’re right there in each other’s face. And I love that.

SFBG: Does blending comedy and music come naturally, or do you have to make sure you work in the right amount of stand-up and singing?

SB: You know, whenever I try something new, it’s kind of a work in progress, to test the waters. Sometimes it’s just fun to sing a song, and not have it necessarily be attached to something as a segue. And sometimes it’s just fun to talk and not have a song. It depends on my mood, night to night, when I’m doing a show like this. But I’m sure there will be plenty of both.

SFBG: You said it’s a little bit improvisational. Do you interact with your audience when you’re performing?

SB: Yeah, I’m sure that I will. I mean improvisational because I’m trying out tons of new material and there might be some stuff people have seen before, but I kind of doubt it because I’ve only played a couple nights over the past few years. I haven’t done a long run. I’m really proud of myself, because I feel like I should write a whole new show every time I come to the city, but that’s stupid. I mean, nobody does that except me. And I torture myself and it’s almost impossible to do, so if there’s a few standards I throw in, I’m sure everyone will be more than happy with that.

SFBG: You’re widely known for your outspoken political views. So on a totally different slant, what would the country be like if Sandra Bernhard were president?

SB: Well, I’d like to think it would be totally honest and I would truly stand by my word, but I think it’s nearly impossible. I think, even someone like Obama, who I think has a fairly honest heart, and he’s being pulled like Silly Putty in every direction, so everything becomes totally distorted. I honestly don’t know if it’s possible to stand by your word completely and be totally honest with it. I don’t think people in this country or anywhere could handle it. I’d like to think I could do it, but I honestly think it’s almost impossible.

SFBG: I ask because I’ve been talking to a lot of liberal minds lately, some of whom are disillusioned by Obama, as our great hope, being pulled in a more moderate direction.

SB: Yeah, because half of America or close to it just doesn’t seem to respond to the generosity that the other half is willing to share. Liberals and a lot of smart, liberal wealthy people are happy to pay more than their share for health care for the rest of the people, but some of these people just don’t seem to fucking want it. I don’t know what anyone wants anymore, because everyone’s just dug their heels, and they’re just mad. They want their voices heard but they don’t even care what the fuck they’re saying. It’s just very disheartening, and I’m sure for anyone in the White House who’s a thinking person, it’s really fucked-up.

SFBG: What about in terms of LGBT rights? Do you see progress being made? Are you cynical or more optimistic?

SB: No, I’m not cynical about it. I think a lot of people have really fared well over the past 10 years in our community. I think also people have started taking responsibility for themselves, and really stepping up to the plate and expressing themselves and doing things that make them feel a part of the world and be successful. I think it’s a really good time for the gay community.

SFBG: I wanted to touch briefly on Dare, because I saw it earlier this year and really liked it. Could you talk a little about the movie and your role in it?

SB: Yeah, my friend David Brind wrote it, and I did a small film with him before. He’s an old friend of mine. He asked me to play the part of a therapist, which, you know, there’s a therapist in every show now. But I was kind of happy to do it, because it’s just a straight acting gig. And the kid who’s in it, Zach [Gilford], I’m a huge fan of Friday Night Lights and he’s on that show, so I was really happy to get to work with him. I think he’s a really talented young guy. And the movie’s great, because it’s about people in high school finding their sexuality and being a little bit selfish and a little crazy, and in the end going, wow, this is how it is. It’s cool, because it really scores sexuality in a very modern way, and I’m excited about the film. I think it’s a really good message and a nice liberating experience.

SFBG: Do you find yourself moving in one direction, like toward straight film acting, or do you want to keep going back and forth?

SB: I’m always attracted to opportunities that I think are good, whether it be in the acting realm or live performing or singing or writing or even like a talk show kind of experience, wherever I can bring what I do best to that venue, that’s what I get excited about. I really don’t try to limit myself.

SFBG: To close things, I wanted to touch on the title of your album and the show, Whatever It Takes. What does it take?

SB: It takes a lot of discipline, and it takes a lot of humility. It takes a lot of compassion, and it takes a lot of wisdom. Day to day, things vary, and you’ve really got to be on your toes. So those are the main things that make life balanced and make it work for me.

Sandra Bernhard in Whatever It Takes
Oct 13-25, $40-65
Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF
www.therrazzroom.com