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Sedaris Puts on Smashing Show for PSU

 

Visiting Plymouth for a third time on Sun., Apr. 15, acclaimed author and progressive comic David Sedaris performed for Plymouth State University and the Plymouth community at the Silver Center for the Arts.

As anticipated, Sedaris’ show sold out weeks before the performance, solidifying his status as fastest-selling venue in PSU history.

Sedaris read three long selections from works that had not yet been published, peppered with personal anecdotes.

Sedaris’ first story, called “Understanding Owls,” was about a search for the perfect stuffed owl for a Valentine’s Day gift, which led to a somewhat grotesque encounter with an eclectic taxidermist and a moment of self-discovery.

His second story, yet to be titled, reflected on a trip to Amsterdam during which Sedaris learned that the first person that will live to see their 200th birthday has already been born.

Musing on this, Sedaris wondered aloud whether that person might be him, or worse, his father.

“When I’m 67, my father will be a mere 100 years old,” he said. “That would leave him a whole other century to call at odd hours and ask me if I’ve gotten a colonoscopy.”

Reading his final story, “Dentists Without Borders,” Sedaris touched on the essence of standard healthcare, and captured the part paranoid, part comforted persona of the patient, extracting chuckles and hoots from the audience.

His last readings were assorted diary entries he’d accumulated over the years, followed by a few selections from his personal catalogue of jokes he’s heard while on tour, some clean and harmless, others a bit more illicit.

Sedaris spent the last few minutes on stage taking questions from audience members, before retiring to the lobby to sign books for fans, exchange jokes and conversation, and collect a $1-fine from anyone that dared to say “awesome” in his presence.