City Odyssey

Photo credit: Hasan Minhaj Facebook

Last evening, I had the opportunity to attend Hasan Minhaj’s show at The Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri. Lately, I’ve been on a comedy kick, and this was the third show I’ve seen this year. While searching for local events, I was thrilled to find that Hasan was performing in the St. Louis area. I’ve enjoyed his work since “The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” and several of his Netflix specials.

Getting to the venue was quite easy. I am familiar with the area, and it’s literally a straight shot from my home. Parking was aplenty, so that was a win! Don’t you hate when you go somewhere, and the parking situation is a mess? There were practically no lines, and I breezed through the check-in process.

Brian Parise was the sole opening act, and although I wasn’t acquainted with his work, he did an excellent job setting the stage for the main event.

As Hasan Minhaj took the stage, his presence was magnetic, immediately commanding the attention of the audience. With a mischievous grin, he greeted us, setting the tone for an evening filled with laughter and insight.

“We’re gonna go crazy tonight!” Hasan exclaimed, his voice resonating through the venue.

The crowd erupted into laughter, signaling the start of a comedic journey that would leave us in stitches. Hasan wasted no time delving into his signature blend of humor and social commentary, effortlessly navigating through topics as diverse as race, politics, history and family dynamics. He tested some fresh material that seemed to resonate well with the audience. He mentioned he will continue perfecting some of the new stuff, and it may make it into his next special. And yes, he addressed The New Yorker controversy in his trademark humorous style. If you’re unaware of what I’m talking about, a quick Google search will provide some context.

At the show’s conclusion, Hasan expressed his gratitude to the attendees and revealed that St. Louis was a late addition to his tour itinerary. Overall, the performance was quite enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to his next special.

Note: Guests were asked to secure their phones in Yondr pouches, which remained locked throughout the show. While we were allowed to keep the pouches with us, there were specific zones outside the main event area where phone usage was permitted. This might be something to keep in mind if you plan to attend a show.