The Many Voices of Maria Bamford

A LOT OF ODD FOLKS LIVE INSIDE MARIA BAMFORD.

When the shy, polite Minnesotan gets onstage to perform her stand-up, she can instantly shift from her normal speaking voice into a multitude of characters, including a cranky Los Angeles coffee shop customer or a sassy receptionist. Bamford and her entourage of caricatures will come to the Arlington Cinema 'n' Drafthouse this weekend.

All the voices are based on either an experience or a person who has made an impact on Bamford. One of the characters she's working on is based on an experience she had getting a new dog.

"I went to Little Angels Pug Rescue. It turned out to be the most militant, terrifying organization I've ever been a part of," Bamford said. "I'm trying to work on a character that's crazy and militant — I haven't really worked it out."

Some stand-up fans might recognize Bamford from her shows on the Comedians of Comedy tours, which featured "alternative" comedians led by Patton Oswalt.

"[The tour] has helped have a lot more people see me -- maybe some people who might have the same sensibility," she said. "I'm sure there are some people who were like, 'Who's this lady?'"

» Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington; Fri. & Sat., 9:45 p.m., $22, 703-486-2345.

Photo courtesy Marsaili McGrath for Getty Images