Q&A: Tig Notaro’s return to stand-up at Largo, site of the ‘masterful’ set that changed her life

Tig Notaro’s 2012 stand-up set at Largo in Los Angeles is now the stuff of comedy legend: That night Notaro revealed to the audience that she had Stage 2, bilateral breast cancer. She then brilliantly spun the life-altering news into a candid but hilarious half-hour of stand-up. Louis C.K., who was watching from backstage, tweeted that it was one of the “truly great, masterful stand-up sets” he’s seen in his 27 years of performing. Notaro released the set as her second album, “Live.”

Now midway through an international tour, Notaro returns to Largo on Monday night with a new hour of stand-up. The evening, which she organized, will be a breast cancer awareness benefit that will also feature Nick Offerman of “Parks and Recreation,” singer-songwriter Moby, comedian Bo Burnham, musical-comedy duo Hard N’ Phirm (Chris Hardwick and Mike Phirman) and others. The evening’s proceeds will go to the nonprofit breast and ovarian health organization Bright Pink.

Notaro chatted about the upcoming benefit, her new material and why she thinks the TV show “Transparent” will change the world.

What does your new stand-up material touch on?

The topics vary. I touch on everything from bombing at a comedy club in Vegas to stories about me and my friend searching for Santa Claus to even more personal events. There’s also just plain and simple ridiculousness peppered in here and there. Got to have that as well.

You’ve performed at Largo since August 2012. How did it feel to take the stage there, where you shared such an emotional, pivotal moment with the audience?

I have been working out new material over the past year there, so it’s not too crazy to walk on stage there at this point; but being able to come back and put this huge show together feels very empowering.

How’s your health now?

Thankfully, each trip to my oncologist so far has confirmed that I’m still still in remission. I feel really, really great on a daily basis and try to continue eating right and exercising. No complaints.

Do you worry about being typecast as a “cancer comedian?”

I’m always more concerned with working on new stand-up, which I have done and am quite proud of. I can’t worry about what people see me as. Whether it be a festival or a college or one of these recent tour dates, I have had the sense that fans came out to see me do stand-up and laugh, whatever it is I choose to talk about.

Tell us about the book you’re writing for Ecco. What’s it about and when is it due out?

The book is about those well publicized four months of my life [in 2012]. Even with all of the interviews and the album doing so well, that 30 minutes on stage at Largo was just a peek into all I had been experiencing. The book goes much deeper into that whole experience. It’s due out at some point next year.

Your comedy special “Knock Knock, It’s Tig Notaro” premieres on Showtime next year. Is it meant to be a genre-busting blend of stand-up and reality series? We see you perform in nontraditional spaces (like laundry businesses) in the show, just as you did as a young comedian. Was that a return to your roots, in a sense?

I never considered it being a genre-buster, but sure, I will take that. The experience of shooting it was great. It’s an idea I had for a while and even did this on the road quite a bit in previous years. It just was never something that was produced by a network, and being that these shows I previously did were so fun, I thought this could be a great idea as a television project. And it never feels too bad getting back in touch with your roots, right?

You have a small role on the Amazon TV show “Transparent,” in which Jeffrey Tambor plays a transgender woman. What is it about the show that has so resonated with audiences? Does your character return in Season 2?

The creator, Jill Soloway, is someone who has been a friend of mine for a little while, so I had the luxury of knowing her in the casting process. My part is very small, like if-you-blink-you’ll-miss-it small. But it was still so fun to shoot. I am so incredibly excited to see the entire series. I truly think the show is going to change the world, as crazy as that may sound. And there is a sense of excitement around being a part of something so long overdue and even more thrilling that it’s in the hands of Jill Soloway. As for Season 2, Jill said I’d be back, so I plan to hold her to it -- would be amazing if it happened.

Have to ask: Are you wearing your trademark argyle socks right now?

Is there any other type?

Any new sound effects?

Beep.

Twitter: @debvankin