Comic Zane Helberg is aware of his viewers. It’s clear at first of his 2018 album, “Zane Helberg: Dwell from Rehab.”
“Do you want to attract? What are you drawing?” he asks somebody within the viewers as he’s starting his set. “Oh, you’re filling shit in. So meth is your factor?”
The gang howls in laughter, and it’s no joke that Helberg is recording his present for an viewers of individuals in a rehab program. He’s been reserving his personal rehab-friendly excursions across the nation since 2018.
Helberg brings his present to New Orleans and Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge on March 2. Comic Aaron Patrick opens.
Helberg bought into comedy as a result of it was on his bucket listing, he says by telephone from his house in Southern California. He had been fascinated with theater when he was younger however had delay making an attempt stand-up comedy out of worry.
“I took a category and did a workshop and did a little bit recital at The Improv in 2008,” he says. “I hit the bottom working and began doing open mics as a result of it was not as terrifying as I assumed it might be.”
A number of years later, after years of alcoholism and drug habit, he bought sober, and being extra clear-headed helped him give attention to his act. After just a few extra years of acting at open mics and a few booked gigs round Southern California, nevertheless, he was nonetheless in search of his place within the comedy scene.
“I made a decision to begin doing exhibits for folks in restoration in Los Angeles, after which a hospital in Encino gave me a name,” he says. “They stated, ‘Hey, we heard about your present. We are able to’t carry folks to your present as a result of they’re in drug detox, however why don’t you come and do a present right here?’ Me and my buddies went and did a present for a handful of individuals, they usually completely beloved it and had been so excited they had been capable of get some laughs in with none medicine of their physique. I spotted at that second that that is an superior factor that I needed to preserve doing.”
Helberg toured California hospitals and rehab facilities, finally give up his day job, recorded his album and toured throughout the nation.
His act consists of jokes and tales from earlier than, throughout and after habit, and loads of materials has nothing to do with substance abuse. He begins one dark-humored bit about fixing the issue with homelessness with the concession that it’s arduous to get previous the fascist-sounding starting of the plan: “It’s a must to spherical them up first,” he says.
Most of his exhibits aren’t any holds barred, and his interactions with audiences throughout exhibits proves that they recognize it.
“In case you’re in a rehab with somebody who’s lacking tooth, then you definately’re going to speak about that, similar to if there’s a pair, you’re gonna work of their relationship,” he says. “Completely they need to chortle at themselves. Ninety-nine p.c of the time what they need is somebody to speak to them like they’re a standard human being and make enjoyable of them the way in which you’d make enjoyable of anything. So usually drug addicts and alcoholics are shamed, ostracized, thought of second-tier residents. Whenever you discover humor in issues that different folks disgrace, it places you on a stage enjoying subject.”
Along with touring, Helberg additionally books excursions for comic Sam Tripoli, and he has a podcast known as “The best way to Appear Wealthy So Individuals Like You.”
Zane Helberg performs at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge. Alcohol is not going to be served on the evening of the present. Tickets are $20.