Adam Avitable premiers one-man show that combines stand-up and storytelling at the Henao Center

Local comedian Adam Avitable may have a penchant for material that plays up his imposing figure, but beneath the burly, bearded exterior is an intelligent and engaging writer. His blog has garnered national attention, and often veers far, far away from comedy to include bittersweet poems about past loves, or tributes to departed friends. This week, he premieres a one-man show that combines his comedic wit with his talent for storytelling at the Henao Center – something akin to a Spalding Gray monologue if Gray had been a regular at Dancers Royale. Expect plenty of laughs centered around Avitable’s sordid tales of debauchery, but don’t be surprised if his brutally honest tales of loss and divorce pull on your heartstrings.

7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 | Henao Contemporary Center, 5601 Edgewater Drive | avitable.com | $10