'This is how I view the world’: Netflix stand-up comedian comes to the Triangle

May laughter fill the hall — Motorco Music Hall, that is. 

Comedian Hari Kondabolu, known for a 2018 Netflix stand-up comedy show "Warn Your Relatives," will be at Motorco Music Hall in Durham as a part of his ongoing 2020 tour on Feb. 19. 

Doors will open at 7 p.m. Comedian Liz Miele will open for Kondabolu. 

Glenn Boothe, talent buyer at Motorco, said he is happy to welcome a comedy set to the Motorco lineup. 

“I like to have variety in our calendar, so for me anytime we can do something that doesn't involve amplifiers, I'm excited,” Boothe said.

The variety that Motorco hopes to showcase in its lineup will be on display during Kondabolu and Miele’s sets. Miele said while she and Kondabolu are often on the same page, their comedy revolves around different subjects. 

“I joke about things that are very personal to me," Miele said. "But I've noticed they kind of have a wide net.” 

Some of the topics Miele said she explores in her set range from her feelings surrounding friends get married to mental health — topics that are personal to her but are also relatable to her audience. 

On the other hand, Kondabolu said he covers topics such as race and gender in his comedy. 

"I like creating material that might make people uncomfortable, but hopefully there's a laugh at the end of it," Kondabolu said.

Kondabolu admits when talking about such heavy subjects, people can have heavy responses, but he said his only responsibility as a comedian is to make people laugh. 

“When you start thinking about what else your art can achieve outside of it being at its best, serving the function you want it to serve artistically, you run the risk of being didactic over skillful,” Kondabolu said. 

Yet Kondabolu understands that his comedy is not for everyone, and he said he respects peoples’ opinions. 

But opinions will not change who he is as an artist, he said.

"This is who I am," Kondabolu said. "This is how I view the world." 

Miele said she too knows her comedy is not for everyone, citing how in the past, people have called her jokes boring or sad.

“I'm not really there to censor myself, and I like to think that comedy is a place where people are able to just enjoy it,” Miele said. “And if they don't enjoy it, you know, it's not for you.” 

Regardless, Kondabolu said he has had fun shows in the Triangle before. 

“I've had crowds that have given me the benefit of the doubt and allowed me to play around,” Kondabolu said. “I expect it to be a good show — I feel really optimistic, and I want to come back to the Research Triangle for a reason.”

arts@dailytarheel.com