Iliza Shlesinger became a stand-up success story because she’s funny, but her staying power is in part a result of being smart about her career. Bobcat Goldthwait directed her third stand-up special for Netflix, Confirmed Kills, in April at Chicago’s The Vic Theatre. It’s tentatively scheduled to premiere Sept. 23, but her 2015 special Freezing Hot drew the attention of the producers of Separation Anxiety, who asked her to host the game show without an audition. She has a series for ABC Digital titled Forever 31 in development, plans to publish a book in 2017 and hits the stand-up stages of L.A. to feed her performing appetite when she’s not touring.
From all appearances she’s poised to receive the stand-up spotlight that’s illuminated Amy Schumer and Aziz Ansari. She parlayed her 2008 win on Last Comic Standing into a successful full-time touring career, and cemented her reputation with a relentless work ethic and one of the more physical stage presences in contemporary comedy. Shlesinger’s comedic approach is to say something truthful from a youthful everywoman’s point-of-view, wrap it in an easily digested joke and serve it to her audiences, but if the Chicago Tribune’s review of her Vic show is any indication, she’s already taken her style to the next level.
The Venetian, 9:30 p.m. July 9, starting at $49.50 plus tax and fee, 16+ with adult. 702.414.9000
