Tim Minchin

Whether waxing poetic about the fallacy of religion or singing about the joys of being a nerd, comedian/writer/musician Tim Minchin loved to tweak the funny bone with a bit of truth. He began his career as a stand-up comedian in Australia, where his trademark appearance -- barefoot, with wild hair and excessive eye makeup, pounding a piano while delivering songs with choruses liberally strewn with rude words -- did not mask the subtle, incisive brilliance of his comedy. This combination of glam rock and Woody Allen proved a potent combination that brought him devoted fans around the world. His move into the entertainment mainstream with a Broadway musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda then introduced Minchin to an entirely new audience.