Billy Connolly
Until costarring with Judi Dench in the 1997 Mrs. Brown, Billy Connolly wasnt considered much of an actor. But the role, as confidante to Queen Victoria, gained a second U.S. following for the sobered-up Scottish comic. He originally became a huge star in the U.K. via raunchy, serpentine monologues mixing everyday topicslike finding carrots in your vomit after binge drinkingwith political rants (against Margaret Thatcher, Tories, etc.). Hes both wrathful and good natured, laughing at his indignation. In one long rant, he wonders if suicide bombers have instructors (Im only gonna show you this once ) and mocks the idea of being rewarded with a bevy of virgins in the afterlife. Having the same awkward encounter over and over again, he says, Thats torture! Give me two good whores! His current show crashed the computers when tickets went on sale in London, and the reviews were glowing. Connolly doesnt so much deliver jokes as arrive at them after long conversational rambles. And they are always worth the wait. BRIAN MILLER
Fri., March 12, 8 p.m.; Sat., March 13, 8 p.m., 2010
