Nate Bargatze is about to hit another milestone. His six shows at Ordway Center for Performing Arts over three consecutive nights is an unprecedented run for both the St. Paul venue and one of the most successful comics in the business today.
"It'll be the longest I've ever done anything like this," Bargatze said by phone a couple of weeks ago from Springfield, Mo., where he would perform later that evening. "It's almost like the old days at comedy clubs."
If Bargatze was going to make camp at one place, it might as well be the Twin Cities. He's built a loyal following over the years at Minneapolis' Acme Comedy Company, a club with a national reputation for spotting and supporting promising new talent.
"I feel like you folks learn quicker than most cities. I think that's why so many comedians tape specials there," said Bargatze, who hopes to find time during his stay to see his buddy and fellow Tennessean Sonny Gray, who pitches for the Twins. "You don't have to hit people over the head. You follow comedy and appreciate it."
Bargatze's fame isn't limited to the Midwest. His last stand-up special, "Hello World," drew 2.9 million viewers in its first 28 days, an Amazon Prime record previously held by Jim Gaffigan.
In April, he performed in front of nearly 20,000 people in his hometown of Nashville, setting an attendance record for the city's Bridgestone Arena. That topped the turnout there a month earlier for country music superstar Morgan Wallen, who is as controversial as Bargatze is clean.
In "Hello World," taped in Phoenix, the comic opened up about being embarrassed to even say the word "sucks," the result of growing up in the very religious family.
"I think Jesus had more fun than I did," he joked.
