Matt Kirshen

Matt Kirshen says he's the comedic equivalent of '90s rock band Bush. That is to say, he's recognized in America far more than he is in his native Britain. His celebrity status here stems largely from his appearance on last summer's edition of Last Comic Standing, which for the first time featured comedians from outside of North America. Kirshen auditioned in London on a whim. "I was going to be in town that day anyway," he says from his mobile in a corridor at the BBC. He further explains: "I was coming back from Glasgow, and went in and did an audition. I didn't really think that much of it at the time. I got called back for the evening and then suddenly I'm off to America." While in Minneapolis Kirshen will be recording a CD. He chose to record here because of Acme's fine reputation among nationally touring comics, and because he likes the Midwest in general. "I've done quite a few gigs around the Midwest before, and generally they are really good crowds." As fond as he is of the region, though, he is puzzled by some things, particularly our driving habits. "You guys are horrendous," he laughs. "You're the nicest people in the world and then you turn into monsters when you get into a car."
May 20-24, 8 p.m.; May 23-24, 10:30 p.m., 2008