MILWAUKEE — Comedian Iliza Shlesinger, known for her six Netflix specials including “Elder Millennial” and her most recent special on Amazon Prime “Iliza Shlesinger: A Different Animal,” is bringing an all-new stand-up comedy show to Milwaukee.
The triple-threat comedian, podcaster and author is no stanger to Milwaukee, having performed in the Brew City a handful of times before. Shlesinger said she’s excited to return to the Riverside Theater on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin caught up with Shlesinger ahead of her 2025 international tour.
Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin: You’ve been to Milwaukee quite a few times. What can people expect from this show? Will there be any crossover from your streaming specials?
Iliza Shlesinger: The specials are years old. … The material you see in Milwaukee will be different from what you saw on my last Amazon Prime special. It’s a lot of new stuff. And I didn’t tour through Milwaukee last year anyway, so regardless of what you remember, what you think, you’re going to be wow-ed.
It’s brand-new everything. Brand-new merchandise. I haven’t done this hour in front of Milwaukee yet.
It’s a stand-up comedy show. I’ve been doing stand-up long enough that I think if you buy a ticket, you kind of know what to expect. A lot of contortions, a lot of fire breathing, a lot of animal wrangling. It’s a really good time.
Spectrum News 1: Is there anything that sets apart Wisconsin or midwestern audiences from other audiences?
Shlesinger: You guys interact with dairy in a very different way. You know, there’s the “Midwest Nice” of it all. I think [Wisconsinites] are really proud to be from Wisconsin. They’re happy. I would not keep coming back if I did not enjoy the crowd. We like happy people that are ready to drink and have a great time. I think nothing sums up the Midwest better than that.
In Milwaukee, it might even be my fourth or fifth or sixth [time doing a show in the Brew City]. I’ve been coming to Milwaukee the bulk of my career. … I’d have to check the history books, but we do love playing there.
Spectrum News 1: Where does the inspiration for your comedy come from?
Shlesinger: You know, I take inspiration from everything and I’m really big on saying the thing that people are afraid to say. My goal is always of course to make people’s faces hurt from laughter. You know, to uplift. I always want people to feel good. I think there’s a lot of bad stuff out in the world and no matter who you are or how you are, you’re always welcome in my audience. You’re going to leave feeling seen and a little made fun of.
Spectrum News 1: What do you hope people take away from the show?
Shlesinger: Look, people are having a hard time and things are rough. And to be able to give people the opportunity to set their troubles down and, you know, for 90 minutes come on out, maybe make some new friends, feel seen and to just laugh is something I think everybody deserves. I’m lucky I get to do this for people and that enough people keep coming that I get to keep coming back.
And I live in LA, which is really hot, so I’ll take any chance to go somewhere just a little bit cooler this time of year.
Ticket information is available, here.
Editor’s Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity. Answers to similar questions were combined into one answer section to streamline information.
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