Gabriel Iglesias at the Cadence Bank Center

 


Gabriel Iglesias, known to his fans as "Fluffy" is always a delight. You know you will have a fantastic evening going to any of his shows which are brilliantly funny in a way that can convert those who hate stand up comedy to being fans for life. 

Fluffy isn't trying to shock, he's trying to get you to connect to universal aspects of humanity - something I greatly appreciate in his work. He always has delightful new material, and is great about revisiting fan favorites in a way that "calls back" (while still being accessible to first time audiences) but doesn't overdo well worn bits, however classic they have become. 

Fluffy has a flashy pedigree as a comedian - starting in the smaller clubs (as does everyone) he quickly began headlining huge tours, has multiple filmed specials, and even starred in his own T.V. show "Mr. Iglesias" where he plays a befuddled school teacher to great success. 

His comedy ranges on every subject from fatherhood to his Mexican heritage, to general (and hilarious) human interactions and everything in-between. He's the kind of comedian you can take everyone (maybe not young kids...) to see and they will have a fantastic time. But what is so special about Fluffy is that he's accessible not because he's trying to be "clean", but because his goal is to connect, not shock, which is much more ambitious and far harder to achieve.

I don't want to spoil any new material, but suffice it to say it does not disappoint. And I want to keep this review brief because my goal is not to analyze (there's no way to really analyze standup comedy without spoiling new bits) but to encourage you to go, even if you're not a stand up fan. There have been a handful of really brilliant, genre bending, connecting stand ups in recent years who, on a personal note, have converted me to being a stand up fan - comedians such as Hannah Gadsby, Iliza Shlesinger, Taylor Thomlinson, Mae Martin, Tig Notaro - and Fluffy. I guarantee you will not regret it.


Laura Sele

Gabriel Iglesias performed April 10th at the Cadence Bank Center in Austin, TX

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