Louie Anderson at the Brave New Workshop/ photo by Chris Riemenschneider
Louie Anderson hasn't gone all Hollywood. The Twin Cities native, who had settled into a career of casino gigs and a residency at a second-tier club in Las Vegas, is in the midst of a sweet, sweet second act, thanks to his scene-stealing work in FX's "Baskets," which is already generating Emmy buzz.
But you wouldn't know he's red-hot property based on his stand-up act Friday at Brave New Workshop, his first since the sitcom was renewed and the passing of his beloved brother, Tommy.
Anderson didn't dwell much on the recent death of the sibling that inspired much of his comedy, but his family upbringing was a huge part of his nearly 90-minute routine -- as always -- reflecting on his mother's gossipy, but good-natured instincts, his father's blustery attempts at discipline and the humility of growing up a "husky" kid.
What was surprising was how often Anderson was willing to venture off-script, interacting more than usual with the sold-out crowd, needling one patron for noisingly digging into a bag of caramel corn and another for checking the score of the Gophers' women hockey game. At one point, the ceiling shook as someone from the floor above apparently dashed a little too hard across the floor.
"Is somebody home?" Anderson ad-libbed, flashing back to a childhood in a crowded home with 11 siblings.
I was reminded of sitting in the audience with Anderson a few months ago at a comedy club while a stand-up dedicated the latter half of his show to peppering spectators with questions.
"He's fishing for material," Anderson whispered.
