arts

Comedian Mike Birbiglia wraps up residency at Steppenwolf theater

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CHICAGO – Mike Birbiglia brought his one-man show “The Old Man and The Pool” to Chicago in May, wrapping up a month-long residency at the Steppenwolf Theater.  

For the Chicago show, Birbiglia sauntered through themes of mortality and anxieties of aging in “The Old Man and the Pool.”Henry Gessner from Northbrook, Illinois, attended the May 7 show. He has been a fan since Birbiglia put out his special, “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend.” Gessner said that show resonated with him. He saw Birbiglia for the first time at a Q&A for his film “Don’t Think Twice” at the Music Box theater in July of 2016. “To be able to see him now after seven and a half years … that was a real full circle moment,” said Gessner. 

He said he thought the performance was a bit somber but expected, given the subject matter. Gessner brought up the moment of silence as one of highlights of the night.