Comedian Nimesh Pahtel-First Stand-up at LBT Hopefully not the Last

Last night in Santa Rosa's Luther Burbank Theater, Nimesh Patel graced the stage with his erudite, cutting edge humor that poked fun at political candidates, religions while maintaining a friendly, relaxed banter. The audience had an Indian cartel representation who let their adoring presence be known to Patel at the behest of the rest of us. Even so, Patel was delighted by those who showed up (which left the upper balcony totally vacant). Perhaps, a small venue is more conducive to his style of stand-up; smart and laid back with equanimous, humorous attacks.  Pahtel put down presidential candidate Ramaswarmy calling him "smarmy with a terrible hair style and a bone to grind.  The kind of guy I went to school with that tattled on everyone."  Patel cleverly poked fun at the folklore and symbolism in Hinduism. He turned the tables on Christianity, particularly the symbol of Jesus on the cross and "Jesus is in the Karan." The Muslim faith was also fodder for funny jabs. All told, Pahtel's capriciousness in moving from one topic to another was strategic and similar to Dave Chapel's circuitous comic routines.  I found Pahtel's irreverent bravado  charming. His engagement with audience members, totally disarming. Pahtel's exchange with Tim, a weed grower in the area for more than a decade, provided a solid groundwork for jokes.  Pahtel developed this kernel into comedic genius. His irreverence, no holds barred approach made Pahtel a comedian at the top of their game, whose name should alongside his favorite comediennes, "Chris Rock, Dave Chapelle and Wanda Sykes." Chris Rock spotted Pahtel performing early in his career and hired him to write jokes for him. From there Pahtel went on to be an Emmy nominated writer for SNL.  "What are the 3 careers that Indian parents expect their children to pursue?" he called out to the audience.  On cue, the Indian contingency shouted out, "Dr. lawyer, or engineer!" Admitting to disappointing his parents after graduating NYU with a degree in finance, he side-stepped into comedy writing. But, he said they've supported him all along and he spoke fondly of the familial ties in Indian families with its scores of aunties and cousins.  Pahtel brought up his therapy and had a funny and touching conversation with a patron of his therapy. Pahtel's easy command on stage allotted hot topics from the Palestinian/Israeli war,  to providing porn for his dying papa. While performing at Columbia Univ. (2018) Pahtel was kicked off-stage for a joke made about being born black and gay as not being a choice. (Personally, I find his joke funny). Regardless, I disagree with his being censored. Pahtel was doing his job as a comedian. Let's all lighten up a little. Hearing Pahtel perform live last night was a tonic for toxicity. I particularly liked  his welcoming Q&A's with the crowd. Asked for his favorite joke he's written. He shared a joke about having annal sex with Mike Pence.  Hence, Pahtel is a comic whose star is rising quickly. Catch him live at smaller auditoriums. He didn't fill LBT but he's heading to MSG and I bet it will be a packed garden party. 

Irreverence

standup