There’s a time in everyone’s life when you realize the difference between the way things appear to be and the way things actually are. Such a realization often leaves us with a sense of fear and powerlessness. For Simon Rich (son of New York Times columnist Frank Rich), this is comedy gold. At 22, the former president of Harvard Lampoon and in his collection, Ant Farm: And Other Desperate Situations, proves he’s a comedic force to be reckoned with.

Rich is a masterful writer, succinct and witty with every passage (most pieces, including monologues and mini essays, aren’t more than two pages long). In “Sex Ed,” the author of an anonymous sex question has his identity revealed to the class and begs his teacher not to read his query. “Please, no talking,” says the teacher, “It’s very important that I answer this question. Whoever asked it is obviously incredibly confused about sex. These are not normal concerns. Not even close.”

Seeing Rich read now will be like seeing Jerry Seinfeld at an open mic; audience members will later be able to say, “I saw Rich in a tiny bar in NYC!” and mouths will drop in awe and eyebrows will furrow with jealousy because one day soon, Rich will be a household word for hilarity. 

June 24, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd Ave. & Bowery), 212-769-6816; 7-9, free.