I'm writing this on Saturday morning...so, if you're reading it soon after that, you still have a chance to see Moshe tonight...two shows...at Laughs Comedy Spot in Kirkland. If you're reading this on another day, well, you could devote yourself to the discovery of time travel but chances are you've just missed it...bummer.

Saw Moshe Kasher headline at Laughs in Kirkland last night. I've seen Moshe plenty of times before, and I'm a fan, but I've never seen his headline set. I was curious to see how his often aggressive and mock-arrogant (and sometimes less mock) approach would go over in a former Godfather's Pizza in an Eastside strip-mall, where there crowds often take their comedy rather linearly (where misdirection and subtext is often lost) and can be a bit sensitive to what a comic's jokes are about...

Moshe handled things very well--not diluting what he does much, if at all, as far as I could see...but still pushing the crowd in directions they weren't always comfortable going, but laughing all the way there and back. I hadn't known that Moshe did as much crowd work as he does--but that help him build a strong connection with that specific audience, for that show on that night, that he might not he might not have made had he simply presented his material "at" them...

The feature act was Andrew Sleighter...a former Bellingham/Seattle-based comedian who has spent some time in Boston before settling, now, in LA. I've always been impressed with Andrew's writing...but he's become so strong and confident as a performer. It's great to see his continued progress over the years...and you definitely get the sense that he's on the verge of something big.

Both Moshe & Andrew are smart and funny. Seeing the two of them together, the biggest difference between where Moshe is and where Andrew is headed is simply that Moshe is presenting himself as more of a unique individual with a very personal perspective where his comedy comes from...and Andrew is more of an everyman who is simply a little more observant than the rest of the audience.

Best example of this: Andrew does a bit about watching the History Channel and talks about the tendency of these programs to ponder whether or not certain historical figures are gay or not...while Moshe does material about people thinking that because of how he looks and dresses that he is gay and, despite that not being true, Moshe doesn't think that's so bad. Each bit is funny and each bit rings true for how each performer is presenting themselves at this time, but Moshe's makes a stronger and more personal connection.

Bottom line:
Moshe & Andrew: Definitely a good night out in Kirkland!

pg--had a night out, away from comedy, spent it going to a comedy club to see some friends perform.--seattle