Some comedians are masters of the one-liner. Others have a way with a joke and a guitar. Some even bust props out of their novelty trunks. For Mike Birbiglia, it’s all about storytelling. The stand-up comic and This American Life contributor pulls from the deepest of reservoirs— his real-life struggles with women, work, and self-loathing—to write narratives that are equal parts heartfelt and gutbusting. His previous solo show, Sleepwalk with Me, the "painfully true" story of Birbiglia’s severe sleep disorder, was an off-Broadway hit that spawned a bestselling book and a feature film that played at the 2012 Seattle International Film Festival.  Birbiglia leaves no wound unsalted. The scene at La Quinta Inn where he sleepwalks out a window? Yeah, that happened.

For his next act, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, Birbiglia explores his long history of romantic foibles in an attempt to make sense of that crazy little thing called love. He'll tape the special for My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend at the Playhouse at Seattle Center—four shows over two nights in May. Tickets go on sale April 5 at 10am at livenation.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend's Boyfriend
May 21 & 22 at 7:30 & 10, The Playhouse at Seattle Center, $35