Part of our Toronto Fringe Festival, Aspergers: A Tale of a Social Misfit is a joke-rich stand-up comedy act by Adam Schwartz. Playing at the Tarragon Theatre Solo Room and produced by Autistic Productions, this show will have you chuckling along with Schwartz as he makes fun of his own Aspergers-related misfortunes. And who knew that Ikea despises consumers with Aspergers?

For the most part, Schwartz recounts failed pick-up lines, awkward bar encounters, and other dating disasters. When he is not mocking his love life, he jokes about how hard it is to make friends and how we need an Aspergers Pride Parade. While Schwartz didn’t have the typical stage presence or polish I’d expect from a comedian, I didn’t mind. He made me laugh.

I had two favourite moments. Schwartz jokes about being jealous of people who have physical disabilities, and he goes into some astute observations that I won’t spoil for you. And I also liked how he dealt with a spectator whose phone would not stop ringing: “Isn’t it time to shut your phone off? I thought I was the awkward one.”

I wouldn’t say that that Aspergers: A Tale of a Social Misfit will split your sides and make tears run down your face. But I will say that you will be smiling, giggling and chuckling for forty minutes. I laughed, and I learned about some of the challenges that people with Aspergers face.

Get your tickets an hour before showtime, or better yet, pay $12 to reserve your tickets in advance. In vain, I tried buying three more tickets for friends but was told that the show had sold out quickly. Too bad there wasn’t a waiting list; I saw seven empty seats behind me. In any case, move fast!

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