If you aren’t an ardent “Kids in the Hall” fan, little in the show, except for Mr. McDonald’s frequent mentions of his passionate hatred of Winnipeg, will make much sense to you. Then again, if you aren’t, you should be. Go to YouTube and watch “Girl Drink Drunk”! Or if you want to see Mr. McDonald at his finest (alongside Dave Foley, who recorded that cellphone announcement), try “Citizen Kane” or “Simon and Hecubus.”

Backed by the unflappable guitarist John Wlaysewski (“I’m not the coolest guy in the world,” Mr. McDonald admits, “I’m not even the coolest guy onstage”), Mr. McDonald brays songs, with occasional reliance on a lyrics sheet, and spins stories, most of which relate to the early years of “Kids.” Then, Mr. McDonald was wild-eyed and wild-haired, ready to hurl himself into a role at maximum velocity. These days, the hair has beat a retreat and he mostly keeps to the speed limit. The eyes are still wild, though, and that voice — a high-pitched rasp that rises to a smoke-alarm falsetto — has endured. His maniacal, goofball energy sometimes flashes through.

There is something misty and depressing about seeing a gifted comic rehash material from 20 or 30 years ago, some of which he has already performed in an earlier solo, “Hammy and the Kids.” (The Winnipeg hatred is new. As is a tale of a missing penis.) And yet, conversely, there is something cheering about a room full of people who loved that material then and love it — audibly, fervently — now.

And, really, why nitpick a show when Mr. McDonald is only too eager to pick those nits for you and snack on them after? “By Sunday night, this’ll be perfect,” he said as he flipped script pages in search of some lyrics. The show closes on Saturday.

Kevin McDonald Alive on 42nd Street

Through Aug. 31 at the Studio Theater at Theater Row, Manhattan; 212-239-6200, bfany.org/theatre-row. Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes.