It’s a good thing Ben Wasserman is naturally predisposed to laughter.
Over the past three years, the New York City-based comedian lost his father, grandfather, uncle and four friends. All those tragedies occurring in rapid succession could reasonably knock anyone down for as much time as they need to recover.
For Wasserman, though, healing came in the form of channeling his feelings into a traveling comedy show he dubbed “Live After Death” that will be stopping by Bottlerocket Social Hall in Allentown Saturday. Tickets are available for $15 via bottlerocketpgh.com.
“Death and grief come for us all,” Wasserman told the Union Progress. “So, whether you’ve personally lost someone or not, this stuff is real and it’s a part of life and it’s probably healthier if we talked and laughed and cried about it more than we do usually. The show is an opportunity to do all that.”
This will be Wasserman’s first time performing in the Pittsburgh area. He’s only ever heard good things about the Steel City from his fellow comedians who have done shows here.
“Not to pander, because I really really hate when comedians do that kind of stuff, but Pittsburgh is quite literally my favorite city in the world and the people of Pittsburgh are like gods to me and ultimately I just don’t want to let the city of Pittsburgh down because like I always said, ‘Pittsburgh rocks!'” he said without a hint of pandering.
Wasserman described his sets as being “all over the place” in terms of the chaos he brings to every stage on which he performs. Don’t be surprised if props start flying around, multimedia components only vaguely work or Wasserman’s attempts at audience participation end up in some playful shouting matches.
He promised that all those elements ultimately add up to a “really fun and entertaining” evening of comedy.
“As a comedian, I want people to leave my shows thinking I’m just so f***ing funny,” he said.
“But more than that, I want to be remembered. And between my tiny little glasses and my chaotic comedy, I make it hard for people to pretend they didn’t see me.”
Joshua covers pop culture, media and more at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Contact him at jaxelrod@unionprogress.com.