Tim Minchin may very well be be the funniest comedian you've never heard of. Already wildly popular in the UK and his native Australia, Tim makes his U.S. debut tonight in New York before heading west and playing shows next Monday and Tuesday at the ACME Comedy Theatre here in LA.

Tim's blend of piano-driven pop songs and razor sharp comedy yields songs that range from a love song for an inflatable doll to a meditation on the conflict in Palestine that advocates peace through a mutual refusal to eat pork. Songs like that have garnered Minchin numerous awards including Best Alternative Comedian at this year's HBO US Comedy Arts Festival, and the Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

But what seperates Minchin from other musical comedy acts are his musical chops. If you weren't listening to his lyrics, you could easily mistake him for Harry Connick Jr. (not that you would want to do that).

We'll have a review of the show next week, but don't take our word for it. Go here to pick up tickets for yourself and be the cutting edge of Aussie comedy. Also check out Tim's website and myspace page for all things Minchin, including videos and info on his CD's and new DVD.

Photo by James Penlidis.