Comedian Zoltan Kaszas initially didn’t pick up for a phone interview to preview his upcoming “Death-Defying Comedy Tour” run from April 10 through 12 at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in Cleveland. “I thought it was a spam call,” laughed Kaszas, calling from San Diego. The comic is no stra nger to Hilarities, where, five years ago, he performed one of his last shows before the pandemic shut down the world. “Like, on a Tuesday, I was, like, making fun of the virus, and then by the time the weekend came, and Cleveland was on that run, the joke stopped being funny,” he said. “It became very, very real. So that was my first experience in Cleveland.” Comedian Zoltan Kaszas will perform shows from April 10 through 12 at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in Cleveland. (Jim McCambridge) At a time when scammers are relentless, perhaps not answering the aforementioned call was the right thing to do. It’s also part and parcel with the comedian’s current material, which he described as being anxiety-based. “I talk a lot about my childhood and looking back at things that felt very normal but realized they’re really not,” he said. “And now I’m hyper-aware of my anxiety. My brain works against myself when I’m already uncomfortable. “We’re enemies,” he added. After shows, people have told him they can relate to the anxiety-based material. “They say, ‘That’s exactly what I feel.’ So if anything, it makes me feel less alone.” Next up for Kaszas — who has shared the stage with Bert Kreischer, Mark Normand and Taylor Tomlinson — is shooting a special in May, which he’s hoping to release later this year. “I’m hoping that someone buys it or leases or whatever the deal is with streaming services — Netflix, HBO, whoever,” he said. “If not, then I’ll go back to YouTube. But it’s cool that these streaming services even know who I am. Like, now they’re actually responding.” To be fair, mentioning the comedian’s fear of calls from unknown numbers, what’s to say Netflix didn’t call but he never picked up? “That’s very true,” he laughed. “They might’ve called, and I don’t know anyone there.” Regarding the “Death-Defying Comedy Tour,” Kaszas promised there would be no virus jokes. “There’s actually nothing death-defying about this comedy tour, other than having to fly to all the shows and the way the airlines are working these days,” he said. “I just had this idea for a tour poster that was like Houdini-style. So my tour poster is me in chains in a fish tank, kind of drowning — like trying to hold my breath.” Comic Zoltan Kaszas plans to shoot his next special in May. (Jim McCambridge) It should be noted the comedian in the poster is not only actually smiling but appears to be having a good time. “Hey, some people look forward to the end,” he said with a laugh, “so it’s all mental. Zoltan Kaszas When: April 10 through 12 (times vary). Where: Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, Cleveland. Tickets: $25 to $35. Info: 216-736-4242 or pickwickandfrolic.com. ...read more read less