The job of a comedian is to take an event, a philosophy, an everyday experience, and explain it in a way that underscores both the hilarity and the universality of it. We slap our knees, we look at everyone else in the audience to ensure they’re laughing, too, and we are happy that we’re not the only person who has ever had that thought. Some comedians focus on our common feelings about celebrities; some, on our viewpoints about sex; and others hone in on specific cultural components — like race, say, or redneck identity. Bill Cosby’s particular gift is that he transcends cultural identity, bringing laughs by evoking family and comfort and happiness no matter the makeup of the audience. His riffs on the bewildering antics of children and the sometimes jarring harmonies of marriage are woven through his storytelling. It’s not particularly cutting-edge, sure, but it does feel like home. An Evening With Bill Cosby at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., promises the particular wisdom of the beloved comedian. Tickets are available from $45 to $125 at tickets.basshall.com.
Tue., Sept. 24, 2013