Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The caliber of entertainers coming to the Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana keeps on shooting into the stratosphere and stand-up comedian/television icon Jerry Seinfeld was the latest superstar to grace its stage.

Considering he last appeared locally at the enormous United Center, getting an opportunity to see the Emmy, Golden Globe and People’s Choice Award winner so close prompted an immediate sell out, where for nearly 90 minutes, the headliner and warm-up act/longtime friend Mark Schiff kept it completely clean while cracking up a couple thousand of their most fervent fans.

As was the case on the number one comedy sitcom ever, Jerry is an observational master, making extremely witty light of completely ordinary situations, void of any cussing or controversy, and this exclusive evening was no exception.

After poking fun at finally getting to play the relatively remote Gary, Indiana, although it’s actually fairly close to Chicago, he admitted to never watching “Seinfeld” because it would be like constantly looking into a mirror and quipped how “Friends” was basically another network’s attempt at a similar premise featuring more attractive actors.

From there, he remarked on never having fun during family vacations, suggested golf may as well be an acronym for “get out, leave family,” then took everyone on a virtual trip to a mini mart for sarcastic comments on coffee, tea and 5-Hour Energy.

Now 70, Seinfeld looked and sounded pretty much the same, but often gave off “Grumpy Old Men” vibes, especially as he talked about being married for 24 years, which earned a round of applause, albeit one he compared to sympathy for an injured athlete being carried off the field.

Nonetheless, playing the curmudgeon card worked in the best possible sense for the purpose at hand, such as learning to read his wife’s “faceology,” never asking her any question in fear of it back firing and always going along with whatever she says they’re doing for the day.

Seinfeld even gave the audience a turn to talk, including the teacher who’s thus far read his children’s book, “Halloween,” to thousands of students, random interactions relating to cereal and cars, plus an ever so perfect closer of a question.

“Why didn’t you want to be a pirate?,” someone shouted over the collective roar, to which he quickly got into character without missing a beat and replied, “but I don’t want to be a pirate!” in the whiny tone of the classic TV episode, though there was truly nothing like seeing this premier funny man firsthand.

For additional information on Jerry Seinfeld, visit JerrySeinfeld.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana include Jason Mraz (Jul. 19); Pete Davidson (Jul. 26); Jodeci (Jul. 27); Gladys Knight (Aug. 3); Larry The Cable Guy (Aug. 9); Stray Cats (Aug. 10); Sublime With Rome (Aug. 17); Michael Blaustein (Aug. 23); Sam Hunt (Aug. 24); ESPN Football Fest (Aug. 25); Invincible: A Tribute To Michael Jackson (Aug. 31); Iliza Shlesinger (Sept. 5); Brad Paisley (Sept. 6); Rickey Smiley (Sept. 14), Tesla (Sept. 20); Priscilla Presley (Sept. 21); Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (Oct. 4); Babyface (Oct. 5) and Aaron Lewis (Nov. 22-23). For additional details, visit HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana.com.

Related Articles

Boyz II Men get down “On Bended Knee” to spread “Motownphilly” sounds around Hard Rock Live Hard Rock rings in third birthday with The Jacksons’ homecoming, Eve 6’s alt-rock freebie Pianist/producer David Foster, singer/actress Katharine McPhee make a Hard Rock power couple “Last Man Standing” and movie A-lister Tim Allen autobiographical, edgy at sold out Hard Rock Ginuwine and Next earn a “Hell Yeah” throughout “Close” and soulful Hard Rock Live pairing Multiple Grammy winner and guitar genius Pat Metheny’s “Side-Eye” stuns in Ravinia return Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band busts out blues blockbuster “Trouble Is…25” for Hard Rock Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa host Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre’s hip-hop “High School Reunion”