Better Call Cross

Actor, writer, and comedian David Cross has made an art of diminished expectations. The miserable characters he plays strive to settle for mediocre, like the aspiring actor Tobias Fünke on Arrested Development, the titular temp worker promoted beyond his abilities on The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, or even Rob from the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, who just wanted to be left alone to build birdhouses. But Cross is no dummy — he and sharp-witted writer buddy Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad; Better Call Saul) created the groundbreaking sketch comedy series Mr. Show, which has just been rebooted on Netflix. And when Cross goes onstage to perform stand-up, he drags buckets of contempt out there with him. In the recent years he’s ranted — in the plaintive, baffled voice of the idiot-skeptic — about Sky Mall, orphans, Mormons, Coors Light drinkers, and bad date rape prevention tips. Who will he turn his signature sneer on next, during his tour stop at the Calvin? Find out Thursday. We hope you blue yourself in advance.

David Cross — Making America Great Again: Mar. 31. $25-$45. Calvin Theater, 19 King St., Northampton, (413) 586-8686, iheg.com.

 — Hunter Styles, hstyles@valleyadvocate.com