Comedian Matt Banwart Returns to Central Iowa
There is a certain cadence to midwestern social interaction. Those of us who grow up in Iowa are natural masters of this rhythm- we know exactly when an “ope” is expected of us. We know just how to perform an “Iowa Goodbye”- the long drawn out process of your house guest saying goodbye in your living room, moving it to the front porch for another 15 minutes, and then finally finishing the goodbye in the driveway. It’s all formulaic and awkward but it still feels natural to us.
I can draw a parallel between the art of our midwestern socialization and that of a stand-up comedian. The material is also formulaic in nature, one must develop an act that allows for nuance in each performance- there is something to be said for a comedian who can master the cadence of their performance. There is also something to be said about a comedian who understands their audience. Just as conversationalist must read a partner tête a tête- a comedian must read their audience. There’s so much sociology happening in a comedic performance. That’s my crackpot theory, anyways.
Fortunately, we have a laboratory to test this theory in the form of Teehee’s Comedy Club in the Western Gateway, where Iowa State University Alumni Matt Banwart will be conducting an experiment to this effect on December 16th. Those who’ve been in central Iowa for a while may recognize Matt as the first male sorority President in our state’s history (the Iowa State Stand Up Comedy Club was officially registered as a sorority…. by Matt) and a three-time Des Moines Improv Comedy Death Match Champion. These credentials, along with Matt’s career appearing at several festivals and regularly across the Chicago area surely make him a worthy scientist indeed.
As with all experiments his act will be recorded- this will be his first album, but you won’t want to miss him live if you have the opportunity. It should prove to be a relatable show for many of us as Matt plans to focus on growing up in small-town Iowa for this act.
Matt’s work has a way of sneaking up on you- in my opinion. He generally appears dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, or khakis and looks like any other nondescript Iowan going about their day. The visual cue says he’s about to stand there address you- “Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen” and make you say it louder like your 6th grade assistant principal would. Then the jokes begin, and you get
“you guys ever been called queer by a guy who has teach you civil rights”?
Okay, you got a smirk out of me, Matt. I did clutch my pearls after that one, it was my introduction to Matt’s work. Not to worry though, it’s clear that while sensitive topics are not off limits, I haven’t seen any of Matt’s jokes come at anyone’s expense. Remember, subverting social convention and leaning into subversion is part of the fun. Matt has a way of reflecting upon our zeitgeist by pointing out how ridiculously awkward our lives are. We might as well be able to laugh about it once in awhile.
Matt Banwart has two showtimes, 7 and 9:30 for the album recording at Teehee’s next Friday, December 16th. See you there?