When it comes to comedy, sometimes the best approach is just to say whatever you're thinking.
It's how David Sedaris shaped his career, and his recent reading at UB proves why.
On Tuesday night at 8 p.m, the Center for the Arts hosted Sedaris, one of America's most popular humorists. Tickets went for $29, and for two hours the bestselling comedy author gave the crowd its money's worth.
Sedaris has written both short and long pieces. He contributes pieces to "Esquire" and "The New Yorker," and has written several books including "Naked," "Barrel Fever," "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim."
The performance consisted of Sedaris reading a select number of short stories, both published and unpublished. Both before and after the reading, Sedaris sat at a table, signing books for a lengthy line of excited fans.
"It was very anecdotal," said sophomore psychology major Melissa Trott of the reading. "It was much more up close and personal."
Each story seemed to flow very naturally from the writer's mouth. This is not a surprise, considering that Sedaris' body of work involves subjects that are loosely autobiographical.
Instead of simply reading the stories, Sedaris highlighted the comedic elements by giving characters different voices and accenting certain phrases. It gave the audience an idea of what he was thinking during the writing process.
The stories covered a wide range of topics, from old, scary babysitters to the operations of a poorly financed morgue. Through each story, Sedaris illustrated his own ability to write with a certain American colloquialism that feels true.
His style of writing is conversational and easy, making this presentation fitting.
"The way he tells the story is much more natural. I love his books, but the emotion he puts into reading his stories makes you feel like you get more out of it," said Buffalo resident Jon Fuller.
Sedaris' final story detailed his relationship with his boyfriend Hugh. It was nice to watch a performer talk about sexuality so comfortably. The story involved a memory in which a woman asked Sedaris who wore the pants in the relationship. Throughout the rest of the story, Sedaris spoke of his deep thought on the question, expressing some social commentary during his consideration of a question wrought with contradiction.
With this story, he showcased the best part of his writing: the ability to speak honestly about social taboos and to incite laughter instead of negativity.
Some of his reading selections dragged on too long. His tale about the scary babysitter started with zest and ended with relief, but only because it was delivered live. It may have been more tolerable to read in a magazine, when the reader could take a break and get a cup of coffee.
Sedaris' breakout was in "The Santaland Chronicles," his 1992 radio essay that appeared on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition," a program that Sedaris continues to appear on. The radio essay involved the humorist's experiences while working as a Santa elf at a Macy's department store.
After reading from his work, Sedaris entertained the audience for a solid fifteen minutes longer, discussing the oddities and treasures of being an American tourist in Japan.
With these fifteen minutes, the writer showed that the reason he is able to write funny so well is because he simply thinks funny so well.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
