Rachel Flehinger

In 2007, Vanity Fair scribe Christopher Hitchens wondered in an inflammatory column, "Why are women, who have the whole male world at their mercy, not funny?" (He went on to backtrack -- "my argument doesn't say that there are no decent women comedians" -- but the damage was done.) Perhaps we should invite him to Portland to meet Rachel Flehinger, an actress (she slayed in Speech and Debate), and a stand-up and improv comedian who co-founded the Running with Scissors troupe and launched the Portland Improv Festival last year (it's coming back August 8-14). She's hilarious. We have no doubt she'd put Hitchens in his place. | yourinneraction.com