Never mind six degrees of separation — Mo'Nique is two degrees of separation from southeastern Connecticut.

Here's how it goes: Mo'Nique won an Oscar for best supporting actress for her wrenching performance in the drama "Precious." The man who wrote the screenplay for "Precious" is fellow Academy Award winner Geoffrey Fletcher — who grew up in Waterford.

And fans here can get one degree of separation from Mo'Nique when she brings her standup comedy to Foxwoods' Grand Theater on Saturday. As intimidating and ferocious as Mo'Nique was as the mother in "Precious," she's as hilarious when doing her stage gigs, so this should be good.

Mo'Nique's still acting, too. Her latest role was blues singer Ma Rainey in HBO's "Bessie" and earned an Emmy nod in the process.

And, yes, Mo'Nique made headlines earlier this year by saying that "Precious" director Lee Daniels told her she'd been blackballed for not playing the Hollywood game during her Oscar campaign. Back-and-forth in the media between Mo'Nique and Daniels ensued.

Bottom line: Mo'Nique is a hell of an actress and a hell of a standup. Deal with it. And see her significant comic ability Saturday at Foxwoods.

Mo'Nique, 8 p.m. Saturday, Foxwoods' Grand Theater; $35-$125; 1-800-200-2882.