Mike Birbiglia

Mike Birbiglia is at his finest. This new collection of stories, culled from his blog of the same name (mysecretpublicjournal.com), is exactly what a comedy album should be: intimate, cohesive and laugh-out-loud funny. While the tales of adventure and, more often, humiliation (such as the time he unknowingly mocked a blind man in public) entertain, it’s his impeccable timing that truly keeps the audience rapt. Birbiglia treats the crowd like one person whose reactions play as much a role in the unfolding drama as the plot does. When it collectively gasps upon the realization that a tale is headed toward embarrassment, Birbiglia pauses, before responding sadly, “I know…I live in the future too.”

Although a fair amount of old material appears, it’s weaved into bigger pieces in a way that’s natural and endearingly familiar instead of forced. Birbiglia proves himself incredibly likable. Be his friend.

Birbigs goes public Saturday 6 at the Lakeshore Theater.