Aging isn’t fun.
The aches, the pains, the hair in places you’d never expect.
Rather than despair, comedian Mike Birbiglia is analyzing his “coming-of-middle-age story” on Broadway.
In his new 75-minute, one-person show “The Old Man and the Pool,” Birbiglia mines humor out of touchy subjects like life, death, and highly chlorinated YMCA pools.
Best of all, you can still catch this buzzy New York Times Critic’s Pick.
Birbiglia’s “The Old Man and the Pool” runs from now until Jan. 15, seven times a week at the Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater.
At the time of publication, tickets for most shows in November start at $158 before fees on Vivid Seats.
However, savvy buyers can purchase ahead of time for December performances and snag seats for as low as $93 before fees.
If you’re hoping to get closer to the action, lower-level seats can be found in the $150 range before fees on Vivid Seats for shows after Dec. 1.
All prices are subject to fluctuation.
Either way, Birbiglia has made it known on Twitter that there’s a good view of the stage from all 1,100 seats in the venue.
A complete calendar featuring Birbiglia’s upcoming show dates, start times and links to buy tickets can be found here.
Celebrity sightings at “The Old Man and the Pool”
In addition to seeing Birbiglia onstage, you might spot a celebrity or two in the crowd.
Tom Hanks, John Mulaney, Olivia Munn, Jim Gaffigan, and Nathan Lane have all attended recent performances, according to Birbiglia’s Instagram.
Who’s coming next?
We can’t guarantee anything, but we know the best way to find out is to watch live.
Mike Birbiglia Taylor Swift music video
Birbiglia, 44, isn’t just a comedian.
Known for roles in films that he’s directed, like “Sleepwalk With Me” and “Don’t Think Twice,” the funnyman has an extensive IMDb, which includes projects as varied as Netflix’s “Orange Is The New Black,” Comedy Central’s “Broad City,” and Amy Schumer’s “Trainwreck.”
However, his most well-known role to date may be his recent appearance in Taylor Swift’s music video for her new song “Anti-Hero.”
In the five-minute video, Birbiglia plays Swift’s future son, Preston and reads his mom’s fictional will to his brother (“Search Party’s” John Early) and Swift’s daughter-in-law (“Santa Clarita Diet’s” Mary Elizabeth Ellis).
Interested in seeing Swift live?
You can nab tickets to her expansive 50-concert 2023 “Eras” stadium tour here.
You can see the stylish yet absurd video here or below.
How to watch Mike Birbiglia’s specials
“The Old Man and the Pool” is Birbiglia’s fifth major special he’s released.
If you’d like to do your homework and catch up on all of Birbiglia’s specials before heading to the Vivian Beaumont Theater in midtown NYC, you can find his first four on Netflix.
We’ve laid out how you can do so below.
“What I Should Have Said Was Nothing: Tales From My Secret Public Journal” (2008)
“My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend” (2011)
“Thank God For Jokes” (2017)
“The New One” (2019)
Mike Birbiglia’s “Working It Out” podcast
How did Birbiglia workshop all his jokes before “The Old Man and the Pool?” That’s a great question, one he answers completely and thoroughly on his podcast “Working It Out.”
Birbiglia started the show in June 2020 and is now over 80 episodes deep.
In each show, he and a fellow comedian or creatives discuss projects they’re trying to figure out and helps Birbiglia fine-tune material of his own.
Past guests include Drew Barrymore, Bill Hader, David Sedaris, Quinta Brunson and Jimmy Kimmel.
You can listen to the show’s entire archive here.
Mike Birbiglia on Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show”
Leading up to the opening of “The Old Man and the Pool,” Birbiglia appeared on Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show.”
In their eight-minute chat, the two discuss life, death, jokes, Taylor Swift (of course), and audience reactions to Birbiglia’s Broadway show.
Catch the clip below.
Mike Birbiglia’s new book “The New One: Painfully True Stories From A Reluctant Dad”
Following the success of Birbiglia’s fourth special, “The New One,” the comic actor wrote his second book featuring “Painfully true stories from a reluctant dad.”
Birbiglia, who co-authored the novel with his wife, J. Hope Stein has received rave reviews since its release.
“Hamilton” star and writer Lin Manuel Miranda praised the comic memoir saying, “Life is not the same after having children. It’s delusional to pretend otherwise. But Mike Birbiglia and J. Hope Stein have not only survived, they’re making their most hilarious and truthful art yet. This book might save your best friend’s life.”
You can purchase “The New One” here.
“The Old Man and the Pool” opening act
The New York Post reached out to the Vivian Beaumont Theater, and it confirmed that there is no opening act for the show.
Birbiglia’s one-person show will start and end with him.
Other comedians on tour in 2022 and 2023
Not many comedians are solely on Broadway. In fact, many often play venues all over North America.
So, if you don’t have the luxury of seeing Birbiglia in New York City, fear no more.
You can still catch these five hilarious comics on the road this year and next.