Comedian Mike Birbiglia to headline 3 shows at Iowa City Englert Theatre

One of the greatest compliments a situation can receive is being labeled as unique. There’s no comedian quite like Mike Birbiglia. The quirky comic delivers fascinating and unpredictable stories. Birbiglia entertains on stage, across films and as an author.

Birbiglia, 46, who will perform from Thursday, Jan. 9, to Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Englert Theater in Iowa City, was a finalist for the 2011 Thurber Prize for American Humor thanks to his 2010 book, “Sleepwalk with Me and Other.” Painful true stories.

Birbiglia’s first feature film “Sleepwalk with Me”, which hit screens in 2012, was based on his solo show of the same name. Birbiglia won awards at the Sundance and Nantucket Film Festivals.

No one has benefited from somnambulism, or somnambulism, quite as much as Birbiglia. But his sleep disturbance is no joke. Birbiglia once emerged from the second floor of the Walla Walla Hotel in Washington and lived to tell the tale. The injury required 33 stitches. Birbiglia has a scar and some fascinating stories.

“It’s a funny story that almost killed me,” Birbiglia said while calling from New York.

As they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and Birbiglia’s career has grown exponentially since “Sleepwalk with Me” debuted Off-Broadway in 2008.

In 2011, his second solo show titled “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend” was inspired by the number of mistakes Birbiglia made in relationships. These experiences made Birbiglia hesitant about marriage, but he tied the knot with poet J. Hope Stein in 2008. The couple, who have a daughter, remain happily married.

Birbiglia creates materials that are relatable but refreshingly atypical. “I don’t think I write the way a lot of comedians write,” Birbiglia said. “Writing can’t be about me. It has to be about everyone. That’s what makes what I do successful.”

The challenges bring out the best in Birbiglia, who is as skilled behind the camera as he is on stage. “Making a movie was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Birbiglia said. “It was harder than getting beaten up by bullies in middle school. But it was a lot more educational than being beaten up by bullies. Making a film is an involved art form because it’s a combination of about seven different art forms, photography, storytelling, acting, and music.” And more.

It’s fitting that another unique comedy inspired Birbiglia to write jokes. He was moved to become a humor writer as a teenager after catching left-handed comedian Steven Wright. While attending Georgetown University, graduating in 2000 with a degree in English, Birbiglia served as a member of the Georgetown Players Improv Troupe with John Mulaney and Nick Kroll.

“I directed short films in college, and comedies with sad characters,” Birbiglia said. “I lost a lot of money. But I was fully engaged when it came to creativity.

It helps that Birbiglia has an exceptional work ethic. It’s like a human shark that never stops moving. “It all starts with writing,” Birbiglia said. “You see how your material works. And if it doesn’t work, make changes… It’s about trial and error. You have to put in the time. Then you can see what happens. You have to really want it. Writing is hard work. You have to be at it all the time.” something.”

Birbiglia also impressed as an actor. “Trainwreck,” “Going the Distance,” and “Your Sister’s Sister” are some of his film credits. “Girls,” “Broad City,” and “Inside Amy Schumer” are some of the TV shows Birbiglia has appeared in over the years.

“I like variety and I like challenging myself,” Birbiglia said. “But I always come back to stand-up. I’m excited to see where I can go with stand-up. The great thing is that anything can happen when you get to that point.”