In the past, Gethard has always been a first-rate storyteller, spinning tales of awkward situations he gets into, whether riding on a school bus in New Jersey or being trapped in Floridas Gatorland amusement park. His new full-length show chronicles his years living with mental illness: suicide attempts, binge drinking, medication side effects, difficult discussions with his parents, finding the right (if totally unprofessional) therapist, relapses and many, many drives while listening to Smiths songs. It all adds up to an honest, raw and incredibly funny look at the absurdity and precariousness of life. In characteristic self-deprecating fashion, he calls it his bullshit emo show. But its more than that. In the tradition of Richard Pryor and Mike Birbiglia, Gethard transforms his life into storytelling art. Im so glad he made it to Thursday.
Gethard has two more shows, Friday (October 2), 11 pm at the Rivoli, and Saturday (October 3), 9 pm at the Garrison.
The North Carolina-born stand-up was supposed to have appeared at Comedy Bar earlier this year, but had to cancel because of TV commitments (shes appearing in a recurring role on the new season of The Mindy Project). It was worth the wait. Even at a Thursday late night show at Second City, with her mom in attendance, she killed with her laidback, likeable presence and jokes about roofies, yoga and stripping. Shes so naturally funny she just looks like shes enjoying herself up there that she got laughs reciting her moms rambling text messages. But what made her act more memorable was her rapport with the crowd. She took our somewhat awkward outbursts and rendered them funny and honest by being gracious (that Southern manner, I suppose) and spontaneous, never mean-spirited.
Feimster has one more show tonight (Friday, October 2), 7 pm, at the Rivoli.
Whats missing from most comedy clubs is a performer with a distinct persona. Berlant has that in spades. Her onstage character is like a cross between a TED Talker about self-actualization and a narcissistic, entitled and very defensive psychic. The act takes a while to get used to, and the laughs dont lead to anything huge, but Berlants an original and clever talent, shining a disturbing and very funny light on urban anxiety, faux epiphanies and the constant need to be in the moment.
Berlant has two more shows, Friday (October 2), 9 pm at the Rivoli, and Saturday (October 3), 7 pm at Comedy Bar Main Space.
