Jerry Seinfeld ‘plays’ Heinz Hall

By ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Jerry Seinfeld

Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Heinz Hall,…

Jerry Seinfeld

Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Heinz Hall, $77, $62, $47

(412) 392-4900

There are plenty of observational comedians out there. After all, it’s pretty easy for someone to say, “What’s the deal with …” and come across as funny, even if they fail miserably.

Jerry Seinfeld, though, set himself apart from the pack of obervationalists, not because he made wittier observations about life, but because of a little television show called “Seinfeld” that forever cemented his place in the pantheon of great comedians.

After ending his show at its peak in 1998, Seinfeld returned to his roots, in the club scene, to retire his old shtick once and for all and start anew. This culminated in the television special, “I’m Telling You for the Last Time.”

After falling off the public radar for a while, Seinfeld has returned in earnest over the last year or so. He’s back on the road, this time with new material. He has just published a children’s book, “Halloween,” and has a documentary chronicling the road – from writing new material to performing it – called “Comedian,” which will be released this fall.

Anyone who was afraid that Jerry Seinfeld wouldn’t know what to do with himself after the end of his show can rest easy – he’s keeping himself busy.

His current tour brings him to Pittsburgh for two shows on Oct. 5 at Heinz Hall. The last time he was in town, he sold out the house. This time should be no different. Despite not appearing on television too often and not giving fans anything new in the way of “Seinfeld,” his followers continue to be loyal to him and his brand of comedy.

While it’s fantastic that Seinfeld will be returning to Pittsburgh, it’s hard not to question why he will be appearing at Heinz Hall, which is a fabulous venue for comedy and symphony, and not at the Pittsburgh Improv at the Waterfront.

It’s certainly an issue of money and getting more people to see him, which makes it harder for young people to afford tickets, but there would have been no better way to bring major attention to the newest Improv than to have Seinfeld appear there, especially since his roots are with the New York Improv.

Still, regardless of this, anyone lucky enough to attend one of Seinfeld’s shows is sure to come away with a memorable night of comedy from one of the modern greats of onstage comedy and television.