Full disclosure, I have never seen a live comedy show before. That changed on Thursday, April 10 at the Bijou Theatre, where I got to see Charlie Berens, from my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s almost like this first show was meant just for me, right?

Even better, I got the chance to speak with Charlie before his upcoming show.

Berens has made all Wisconsinites — and midwesterners — proud by sharing our signature slang, customs and passions with the world. He has tapped into the gold mine that is this regional subculture and turned it into an act fit for the stage.

Prior to his touring success, Berens’ own online comedic news show “The Manitowoc Minute” served as the launch point. Since then, he has certainly had his fair share of success online, amassing over 6.8 million followers between his TikTok, Instagram and YouTube pages.

When I asked him how social media comedy matches up with a full stand-up act, Berens explained he sees it as an entirely different ballgame. With long-form comedy, you get introduced to the persona behind the jokes. There is ample time for the jokes, stories and perspectives that define the comedian, beyond an online skit.

I also wondered how much of a role the energy of a crowd plays in a standup routine, but Berens was quick to note that this external factor doesn’t affect his shows all too much.

Berens explained that his best content comes from living his everyday life, often appearing when he least expects it. Berens cited home renovations as a frequent source of inspiration, which is something he is passionate about and where his old-fashioned, midwestern spirit is most alive.

“Boredom is where creativity comes from,” Berens said.

I commented on the power of observation and how my generation misses out on everyday life because of the devices in our pockets. Taking the time to be present and “bored” outside of the online world can have a big effect on our perspectives.

Berens went on to explain how many of our ideas and opinions nowadays are controlled by algorithms set by people who have an incentive to divide us. Although Berens’ success online has been of great benefit to his career, he does not let it define him in the slightest. His image is rooted in real life.

Look a bit more into Berens and you will come across his very own Brandy, named after his Grandpa Bob, or his merchandise collection that promotes just about every Midwestern saying you could think of — including one of his podcasts, “Bellied Up,” where he takes calls from listeners at a bar. With Berens, what you see is what you get: a Wisconsinite, comedian and home-renovator, through and through.

This was all on full display at the show. Berens moved in and out of his comedic bits with clever improvisation — the aspect of the show that I found most fascinating. From acting out skits to telling classic, hilarious stories from his Midwest upbringing, Berens’ transitions were on point. Best of all was the celebrity jokes he snuck in throughout the set, a crowd favorite.