There’s something brilliantly hilarious in the dwelling of others’ unfortunate and embarrassing life events.  Admit it, Schadenfreude is no joke.  And whether it is a little tale about blood in your pee or sharing an awkward moment in bed with your girlfriend, comedian Michael Birbiglia is happy to bare all at his own expense in his new off-Broadway show, Sleepwalk With Me.

The show tells the story of Birbiglia’s ongoing bout with RBD, a sleep disorder that results in physically acting out dreams while asleep.  Basically, a really serious form of sleep walking that might sound fun to the observer, but can be pretty terrifying for the oblivious sleeper.  In Birbiglia’s case, his RBD has resulted in fighting a levitating jackal above his bed, a broken TiVo, and a middle of the night chase through his apartment building—all of which he delightfully reenacts in detail.   But Sleepwalk With Me is also packed with humorous anecdotes and tangents about his stern father, camping encounters with a bear, and just when you think he can’t get into anymore trouble, Birbiglia shares the story of how he accidentally managed to get himself engaged.   “I know!”  he remarks to the crowd as they laugh in shock at his, well, lack of judgment.  Some get drunk and end up married in Vegas, and some… are sober and named Michael Birbiglia.  Booze vs. Snooze, if you will.

His stories are funny because they’re true, and Birbiglia’s self-deprecating yet endearing show is a must see.  Fans are crazy about his ability to make a large audience feel casual and inclusive, as they hang on to every word of his hilarity.  Hailed as the soon to be “biggest name in North American stand-up,” by GQ London, Birbiglia is the real comedic deal.
 

For daily entertainment from Birbiglia, check out his blog titled “My Secret Public Journal” at www.birbigs.com. 

Sleepwalk With Me runs at the Bleeker Street Theatre in NYC from Nov. 11- Jan. 18.  For tickets and clips go to www.sleepwalkwithmike.com.