Go 'SLEEPWALKING' with Mike Birbiglia

Sleepwalk With Me is an off Broadway show by standup comedian Mike Birbiglia which deals with his bouts of sleepwalking and his search for love and happiness in the city.

Birbiglia has been on David Letterman, CBS The Early Show, Jimmy Kimmel, Craig Ferguson, Conan O'Brien, "The Bonnie Hunt Show," and Carson Daily and has 2 CDs and a DVD out of his performance. 

Birbiglia has a sleep disorder known as rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD), and to protect himself, sleeps in a sleeping bag zipped all the way up, with special mittens so that he cannot escape when he sleeps. And that isn't even the funny part...

One of the hottest young comics working today, Birbiglia appeared on Comedy Central's Premium Blend and was chosen to perform in the "New Faces" category of Montreal's prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. He was a standout and attracted the attention of The Late Show with David Letterman making his debut on the show as one of the youngest comedians to appear.

He now performs regularly in NYC, Los Angeles and around the country. Birbiglia's website, www.BirBigs.com is the go-to destination for his popular blog. 

Birbiglia's intelligent and side-splitting stories in Sleepwalking With Me are deftly woven together into an evening of comedic theater with a beginning, middle and end with the help of director Seth Barrish. His transition to theater isn't as much of a leap as one would think as both comedy and theater engage an audience with storytelling.

TJ: First of all, Mike, are you sleepwalking now or is this a wide awake interview?

BIRBIGLIA: There's no way to be sure. I don't even think scientists know for sure. Another key question: are we in the matrix? If so, am I both sleepwalking and in the matrix?

TJ:  How long have you had a problem with sleepwalking?

BIRBIGLIA: Well, it's been a part of my life for about 10 years. It blew up about 4 years ago and since then has been the source of comedy, tragedy, and an excuse to go on The View. 

TJ: What is the strangest thing you have found yourself doing when you have a sleepwalking episode?

BIRBIGLIA: I once tried to break up a fight in the street when I lived in Greenwich Village. I actually should have put that in the show. Ah well, that's in the next show. 

TJ: In what seems like a serious and hazardous issue, how did you come up with this comedic piece?

BIRBIGLIA: Well, I always try to attack the most honest issues I can in my comedy. In this show, I wanted to take a chance on pushing that to the next level. I challenged myself to open up about my sleepwalking, as well as some other sensitive topics. And it's working. I think of my shows: the other two being "Two Drink Mike" and "My Secret Public Journal Live" with Comedy Central Records-this is the funniest. I think there is a correlation.   

TJ: I have to ask...do you really sleep in a sleeping bag with special mittens? How did you come up with this solution?

BIRBIGLIA: Sleeping bag: yes. Mittens: not anymore. These were recommended by a doctor as an extreme precaution and I just started laughing so hard. I was like, "I HAVE to use that on stage."  

TJ:  Tell us about the show. Was it easy to get the show produced? 

BIRBIGLIA: The show is a culmination of 5 years of workshopping. That's why people's reaction to it is very funny for me and my director Seth Barrish. People are like, "how much is improvised? 50%?" and it's funny because none of it is. But a lot of it was developed through improvisation. Trial and error. A lot of error. But when people ask questions like that, it's a real compliment because I hate comedy that feels forced on the audience. As for getting it produced, my friend Eli Gonda and I had gone to college together and had toyed with the idea of doing a project together and this was the one that really inspired both of us. It's been a really grassroots marketing build. Eli is really willing to try anything. It's REALLY important for a producer. Especially in this marketplace. 

TJ: Is there a support group around for people with this condition?

BIRBIGLIA: I think there is. It's at the Bleecker Street Theater every week Friday through Sunday. 

TJ:  Do you have any advice for someone who thinks they may have this condition or who wants to turn their life into a show?

BIRBIGLIA: A lot of people come up to me after the show and tell me their sleepwalking stories. And I have to say some of them should definitely see a doctor and some of them should at least work on their sleep hygiene. There's a book I reference in the show called The Promise of Sleep. I make fun of it but it's actually excellent. As for turning their lives into a show, I think they should see a doctor about that as well.  

TJ:  What happens if you are on an airplane and you fall asleep? 

BIRBIGLIA: I'm not sure, but I hope to never make the 11 o'clock news with that one. 

Well, that was one of the most interesting interviews I have done to date! Now, I really want to go see this show and hopefully, you do too! Catch Sleepwalk With Me starring Mike Birbiglia at The Bleecker Street Theater, 45 Bleecker Street. The show has been extended through June 7^thSleepwalk With Me  plays Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 4pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting Telecharge at www.telecharge.com or calling (212) 239-6200.

For more information, please visit his website at www.SleepwalkWithMike.com, sure to entertain!  For now, as always, this is TJ signing off and remember, theatre is my life! Ciao!!

To post a comment, you must register and login.