"One time I stayed in a hotel, the pool was on the 23rd floor … I couldn't believe how deep it was." This is just one among scores of bent musings proffered by comedian Steven Wright as he paces the stage wearing a blank stare (but occasionally letting slip a slight smile) and frizzy hair. For decades, Wright has dished out his skewed metaphysics in a husky monotone, each joke buffered by a pregnant pause. His shtick hasn't gotten tired over the years, mostly because he continues to spin out fresh material. ("You never know what you have 'til it's gone … I wanted to know what I had so I got rid of everything.") Wright has remained something of a mystery man. Here's his website bio: "I was born. When I was 23 I started telling jokes. Then I started going on television and doing films. That's still what I'm doing. The end." Sat., Jan. 28, 8 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, $29.75 and $35, 727-791-7400, www.rutheckerdhall.com.
This article appears in Jan 25-31, 2006.
