There was pitch-black cult classic Shakes the Clown, then meta-reality Comedy Central gag Windy City Heat. 2006’s sweetly bestial Sleeping Dogs Lie was a huge Sundance hit, and as of summer 2009 there’s mainstreamiest of all endeavors thus far, the Robin Williams-starring World’s Greatest Dad. This eclectic feature-film collection, surprisingly, sprang from the snappily schizoid brain of none other than Bobcat Goldthwait, who headlines Zanies for one night only. Yes, the same Bobcat Goldthwait with the octave-leaping speaking voice. The dude from the Police Academy franchise and the vocal artist behind such cartoon critters as Hercules’ Pain. And the same ’80s instigator who once lit The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’s guest chair on fire. Now that he’s retired from directing Jimmy Kimmel Live! and un-retired from stand-up comedy, catch Goldthwait in a return to his roots.
Wed., Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m., 2009

