APRIL 2–4

Dom Irrera is a comedian of the old school, harking back to the days when comics were content to moan about life’s little idiocies and offer a flurry of stereotypes designed to insult anyone and everyone. Unlike such modern, thinky laughmeisters as Chris Rock, Irrera offers one-liners that are funny because you aren’t supposed to think about them much at all: “Date rape is better than normal rape, ’cause at least you get dinner and a movie.” Brutal. Wrong. But in the club, you’ll laugh. And that’s where you’ll find Irrera. As many of his comedic peers take permanent refuge in sitcoms and films, Irrera is still on the road, playing your Zanies, your Sidesplitters, your Uncle Funny’s-es. But, as he is wont to say, I don’t mean that in a bad way. Because Irrera is a true pro who comes by his old-time attitude as did so many classic jesters of yore: He grew up in a house crowded with four generations of relatives. Naturally, his act reflects this cacophonous home life. And with his hangdog, droopy-eyed face, Irrera looks like the guys you see in black-and-white movies—fast-talking wisecrackers with names like Bosco, Spero, or Harry Hecklebaum. In fact, Irrera has played exactly such characters on The King of Queens, Boy Meets World, and Lois & Clark. And he’ll always leave you with some wonderfully practical advice: “No matter how big the problem is, you can always run away from it.” Run toward Irrera when he performs at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, April 2, and Saturday, April 3, and at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 4, at the D.C. Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW. $17–$20. (202) 296-7008. (Dave Nuttycombe)