Comedian John Mulaney is the opposite in many ways of hometown boy Nate Bargatze. While Bargatze is conversational, relatable and family-oriented, Mulaney is hyper-articulate, highly stylized and openly flawed. But they’re both charming enough to carry a two-hour standup show. When I saw Mulaney at the Ryman on his last tour, I was in awe of how he spoke with such pep and vigor about the intervention his friends held for him after he hit rock-bottom. Without missing a beat, he spun the lowest point of his life into comedy gold. His latest routine focuses on the family he’s built during his sobriety. As he comments, his daughter was born to a couple who’d been together for four years, while his son was born to two individuals who’d known each other for nine months and 45 minutes. He’s returning to Nashville this week for a three-night stand at the Ryman. Maybe he’ll run into Nate at McDonald’s.
June 12-14 at the Ryman
116 Rep. John Lewis Way N.
