San Antonio will be getting the full Aziz Ansari experience at the Majestic Theatre on Feb. 3. Ansari will be showcasing material that he did not include in his third stand-up special, which was released exclusively on Netflix.
Ansari has gained notoriety for his role in “Parks and Recreation” as the get-rich-or-die-trying go-getter, Tom Haverford.With his sarcastic, egomaniac personality, Haverford has captured the laughs of a devoted audience. However, he would not be the same character without Ansari, who contributes his own background and style to the show. The “Parks and Recreation” character is just one of many memorable personas Ansari has portrayed.
Aziz Ansari first gained recognition as “Best Standup” at HBO’s 2006 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival hosted in Aspen, Colorado. This led him to opportunities that allowed him to be part of TV shows like “Human Giant,” broadcasted on MTV, followed by “Parks and Recreation.” After gaining recognition as Tom Haverford, Ansari began making appearances in several films such as “Funny People,” “Get Him to the Greek” and “30 Minutes or Less.”
However, Ansari has been making strides in his comedic work since 2010 when he released his stand-up show “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening” on CD and DVD. This was followed with his “Dangerously Delicious” tour in 2011 and “Buried Alive” in 2013. All three shows can be viewed on Netflix.
Although race is a popular topic with most stand-up comedians, Ansari does not tend to discuss his Indian-American heritage on stage. When he does, it is usually to let the audience know that he was born in South Carolina, and therefore does not relate to his heritage. Instead, everyday life and self-deprecation are major discussion points in his shows.
Ansari presents his personal life in dramatic overstatements, and what makes his stories humorous are not the generalities, but the details. He is able to take mundane life situations and create striking and amusing narratives. For example, he adds emphasis to the boring act of purchasing new bed sheets by recounting the time he mistakenly bought 296-thread count sheets thinking they were actually 700-thread count sheets. The outrage! With these stories, Ansari relates his life to the audience, allowing them to connect with him on the same level.
An individual that Ansari frequently likes to mention is Harris, his teenage cousin. In “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening,” Ansari tells the story of how he pranked Harris on a message board. However, what is particularly charming about the account is how Ansari reads what he actually wrote on those boards from his cellphone ─ lending credibility to his story.
What’s more agreeable in Ansari’s stand-up is that he often shares stories of his rise to fame. He obviously enjoys the attention, but still seems to stay true to himself.
Ansari uses observational comedy, so expect more details on his personal life with hysterical descriptions. These stories include narratives of the friendship that Ansari has with Kanye West and Jay-Z. In addition, Ansari loves to do a memorable impression of R. Kelly. And if Ansari is not enough for you, check out “Randy,” his over-the-top comedian character from “Funny People,” who he enjoys impersonating on stage.
Aziz Ansari will be performing live Monday Feb. 3, 8 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre. Tickets range from $40-$60. For more information, visit majesticempire.com.
