It’s typical for comedians to share personal information (true or not) with the audience during a standup routine, but not for comedian Bo Burnham; he likes to take his shows in a more musical direction.
“I think it’s strange that comedians are defined like that, because the only rule is to go on stage and be funny,” he said.
Growing up, Burnham loved the theater and playing the piano, aspects he often incorporates into his show.
He plays the piano and puts on more of a theatrical performance than a typical comedy routine. He also sings and dances, and every once in a while, he will surprise the audience with a bit of flare.
Burnham decided to pursue a career in acting because of his love for Shakespeare and classical plays.
“Theater was so much more dynamic to me than playing silly songs on keyboard,” he said.
In a way, he is doing what he wanted, just with a little twist. Burnham is known for his satirical songs, so in a sense, he is bringing his talent from theatrics to comedy.
He said it’s not his "thing" to get up on stage and talk about his day, which explains why he is so different than the average stand-up comic. He likes to use music and prerecorded tracks as props to make his act funnier, and he has a lot of fun while doing so.
“It’s the funnest thing to do on stage,” Burnham said. “It’s like standing in a line and just yelling and being weird.”
Burnham performed at the Memorial Union on April 19. It was a little preview of his tour beginning in May 2013, called “what.”
What's next in store for Bo Burnham is a question not even he can answer. He said he can't imagine what he will be doing one year from now, but that is where he gets his inspiration — from not knowing where to go.
“Hopefully I see myself doing something I am enjoying," he said. "Something different. I love what I am doing right now, but I am sure I will get bored with it.”
If you want to see a different side of Burnham, check out the show he wrote and produced, “Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous,” starting May 2, 2013 on MTV.
Reach the reporter at drosenbl@asu.edu or on Twitter @DillonReedRose.
