By Sarah Mattina, For The Miami Student
Dating, relationships and all of the awkward unanswered text messages in between. Aziz Ansari's upcoming book and previous show "Modern Romance" both hint that he will focus on these experiences and more tomorrow night during his family weekend performance.
His new show, called "Aziz Ansari Live!" has made a name for itself among audiences for being both thought provoking and interactive. Ansari began performing this particular show in the last few months.
Ansari said in an interview with Philadelphia Magazine, "This new special, I hope, goes even deeper. Not only about relationships, but new topics that I never hit before … I hit topics I never would have had the skill to handle a few years ago. And I personally think it's my best set I've toured."
Audiences seem to agree. Ninety-one percent of Ticketmaster online reviews of the set rated it at least four stars. Many of the reviews praise the fact that Ansari's set incites thought about deeper world issues, while still maintaining a comedic atmosphere.
Aziz Ansari's appearance is a collaboration between the Miami University Performing Arts Series and the student organization Miami Activities and Programming (MAP.)
Students involved with MAP establish a list of comedians they'd like to see at Miami, based off of feedback from their peers. After this process, the Arts, Concerts and Entertainment (ACE) board of MAP chooses a performer along with the Performing Arts Series staff.
"We tend to focus on comedians for family weekend because it's easier to bridge the generations," Director of Performing Arts at Miami Patti Liberatore said. "We needed someone who could work in an arena, which not many comedians can do."
Luckily for Miami students, Ansari has no trouble with large crowds. He recently sold out Madison Square Garden with an audience of over 18,000, and added a second show the next night because of its huge success.
"A comedian selling out Madison Square Garden … It made the cover of the New York Times, it made the cover of the Rolling Stone, because it's so astonishing," Liberatore said.
His opening act for Miami's show is an up and coming comedian, Moshe Kasher. Kasher has been featured on the Conan O'Brien Show and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to name a few.
Ansari will be performing at 8:30 p.m. in Millett Hall. Tickets will still be available for purchase at the door for $43. Parking is available in the lot surrounding Millett, or the North Campus Garage for $5.