Tig Notaro’s Boston-based HBO special showcases her resilient comedy
She’s been through much worse than dying on stage.
The link between Tig Notaro’s health and her career is unusually strong.
After a life-threatening infection, the sudden death of her mother, a breakup, and a diagnosis of breast cancer all within a few months of 2012, Notaro took the stage at the Largo Theater in Los Angeles. Her set quickly blew up and catapulted her career.
She starred in a documentary about that period in her life and occasionally performs topless, displaying scars from her double mastectomy.
Her decision to tape her first-ever HBO comedy special in Boston is another demonstration of her resilience. It premieres Saturday.
In 2014, a health scare in Philadelphia derailed Notaro’s tour. Her next stop would have been Boston, but an “unforseen hospitalization’’ caused her to cancel the show.
When offered the opportunity to tape the HBO special, Notaro decided on the Wilbur Theater as the venue. She told Boston Magazine that she hadn’t gotten to perform in Boston last time, so she “thought it’d be cool to do the special there.’’
The special, Boyish Girl Interrupted, was taped last May. It includes stories about everything from the search for the perfect Santa Claus to TSA screenings.
It’s not to be missed—and you may even recognize someone in the audience. But if you’re still not sold, here’s a quick look at the myriad ways to enjoy Notaro’s genius.
Listen to Live at Largo
The work she’s best known for, Notaro’s set at Largo in Los Angeles went viral, securing a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album. In it, she expounds upon the cornucopia of tragedy that she went through in 2012 and somehow makes it hilarious.
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Stream Tig online
A documentary about the comedian’s life, Tig, premiered at Sundance and began streaming on Netflix in July. It’s an emotional rollercoaster and will leave you wanting to be besties with her–and not just because you could then win proxy-friendship with the likes of Sarah Silverman and Zack Galifianakis.
Check her out on YouTube
She can rock a late-night interview like no other, as evidenced by this snippet in which she lectures Conan on the art of being present while being distracted by her phone.
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Look out for her on Amazon
She’ll star, co-write, and co-produce a semi-autobiographical show for the online streaming network. Diablo Cody will co-write, and the duo, along with Louis C.K. will have production credit.
The Hollywood Reporterhas also announced that Nicole Holofcener will direct the project, and Deadline Hollywooddropped that John Rothman will be a series regular, playing Tig’s stepfather on screen.
Listen to her during your commute
Her podcast Professor Blastoff just wrapped up, but its episodes are timeless. She’s also appeared on You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes, and Scott Aukerman of Comedy Bang! Bang! has said that Notaro is one of the most-requested guests on the show.
Watch her stand-up
If Boyish Girl Interruptedleaves you wanting more, check our some of her other classic routines. Once you watch the Taylor Dayne segment that she performed for NPR, you’ll never be able to hear, “Excuse me…’’ in the same way again.
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Relatedly, check out this slideshow of Boston-area comedians:
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