Amanda Palmer performs at National Theatre in DC on April 5, 2019.

Amanda Palmer made a deal with her audience at the National Theatre on Friday. If ever anyone became too sad during the course of her music and conversation presentation, he or she could simply exclaim, “Amanda, I’m too sad!” and the artist would respond to brighten things up with the opening chords of “Coin-Operated Boy” by her band The Dresden Dolls.

By our count, she was called upon to play those chords at least five times, which might not be so bad for a 4.5 hour show.