A survivor, Tig Notaro brings her standup to Denver

Comedian Tig Notaro took the stage at Largo, a Los Angeles nightclub, in August 2012, with an unusual opener: "Good evening. Hello. I have cancer. How are you?" She had learned less than two weeks earlier of her cancer diagnosis, and over the course of about 30 minutes unburdened herself about a succession of miseries. Her cancer, her mother's recent death, her breakup with her girlfriend.

But she made it funny.

Louis C.K. was there that night, and on his website he called what he witnessed "one of the greatest standup performances I ever saw. I can't really describe it but I was crying and laughing and listening like never in my life. Here was this small woman standing alone against death and simply reporting where her mind had been and what had happened and employing her gorgeously acute standup voice to her own death."

Fortunately, the folks at Largo had recorded Notaro's set. Louis C.K. offered a download on his website, and then Notaro released "Live" as a CD and a vinyl album last year. The recording was nominated for a Grammy Award for best comedy album, and her performance elevated Notaro's visibility tremendously.

Notaro, who in 2006 performed in homes and backyards on what was dubbed the Crackpot Comedy Tour, last year revisited that idea. Showtime filmed Notaro performing at the homes of fans — who had competed for the chance to have her stop by — for an upcoming special called " Knock Knock, It's Tig Notaro."

Notaro will perform Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Paramount Theatre in Denver. Tickets are available here. Andrea Gibson, a poet who lives in Boulder, will open the show.

L. Wayne Hicks is associate editor of the Denver Business Journal, writes the "Cultural Attache" blog, and compiles the daily "Morning Edition" email. Phone: 303-803-9221.