Sebastian Maniscalco headlines four shows at MSG

It’s not everyday a stand-up comedian headlines a show at Madison Square Garden. But Sebastian Maniscalco is about to do it — four times playing back-to-back shows on Jan. 19 and 20.

“I thought when I first sold out Addison Improv in Dallas, TX that I made it,” says Maniscalco, 45, who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. “I didn’t know what was ahead of me. There’s been a lot of ups and downs but it’s all kind of paying off now.”

His popularity stems strictly from word-of-mouth about his comedic material with no film or TV career behind it.

“There’s an audience I believe that’s been underserved in the comedy community — family observational humor you can enjoy with your grandmother, grandkids and everybody in between,” says Maniscalco. “My material is non-political, good-natured and not mean-spirited at all. I don’t think people want to hear that when they go out for the evening.”

Despite dropping a new Netflix special on Tuesday, that doesn’t stop his fans from buying tickets.

“When people come out to my concert, they’re not going to be seeing the Netflix special,” says Maniscalco. “I stay a step ahead by keeping the show as fresh as I can. I give the crowd more than they see on YouTube or streaming services.”

One new element to his show is the stage, which will be set in the round.

“It’s an intimate way to do an 19,000-seat arena,” Maniscalco said. “I even have a round screen above me because a lot of my act is based on physicality and facial expressions. Without the screens, you lose the essence of some of the jokes.”

Although he’s a firecracker on the stage, behind the scenes Maniscalco is surprisingly low key.

“I was never the class clown. I was always observing from a far,” he says. “When I get on stage, it’s all pent up in me and I have to get it out. It’s an exaggerated expression of what I’m thinking in my head.”

It’s not just the general public who has embraced his comedy. Legendary comic Jerry Seinfeld has called Maniscalco his favorite comedian.

“I remember watching him for the first time on the Jerry Lewis telethon doing a bit about a piece of hair being stuck on the wall in the shower,” says Maniscalco. “I immediately loved him.”

He even scored a role in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film, “The Irishman” opposed Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.

“I’m in a scene where I’m supposed to flick Pesci’s lapel. I’m like, ‘Oh man … how is this going to work?’ ” recalls Maniscalco. “It was a lot to juggle.”

But Maniscalco’s greatest challenge is impressing his father who is both his No. 1 fan and biggest critic.

“My father used to come backstage after my set with a legal pad of notes saying, ‘What happened …You didn’t do the Subway bit!’ ” says Maniscalco. “I’d say, ‘Dad, this is not Little League. What are you doing?’ ”

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.