To see a well-tailored suit on a comedian these days, you’d almost wonder what exactly they’re trying to pull (even if it is for their special in an extremely snazzy cocktail lounge). Yet, the shine of fine woolen pin stripes and neon is almost a misdirect for Nate Craig in his latest special, Live at the Green Mill, used to heighten every bit of irony, satire, and mischief he has tucked underneath his pocket square.
Indeed, Craig chose the long-standing classy Chicago institution, The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, to tape his hour, rather than a cavernous theater with Art Noveau touches that has become standard issue for hour comedy specials these days. It’s a keen choice as stand-up comedy is best enjoyed in an intimate, dark space, while also evoking comedy from decades past where comedians only had lounges and nightclubs to show off their comedy wares. Nate uses this timeless, moody atmosphere to really make his understated sarcasm and subversion really pop (not unlike the aforementioned pocket square).
Craig even goes so far to be ironic to Swift-ian levels in a few bits (especially when it comes to “baby huffing dungeons”), something the old Colbert used to do. It’s a much appreciated surprise considering that amount of times comedians stop themselves in specials to make their intentions clear as to, comically, not get “cancelled”. Just a little bit of subversion goes a long way with Live at the Green Mill throughout the very enjoyable ride through very in-depth act outs of Americans coming out of the deadly haze of COVID-19.
Above all, Craig has such a preternatural command of the stage here that doesn’t feel forced in the slightest. Nate hits that sweet spot, wire to wire, of being fully present, not sounding over-rehearsed, and still, clearly having so much damn fun. Though there’s an air of Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks throughout this hour, Craig’s presence brightens up the evening to be almost the exact opposite of lost souls trying to find each other in a diner.