NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 4/21/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
the perfect comedy show for short attention spans—open mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set
and around 30 comics crammed into 2½ hours—at John Morrison's Ochi's Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),
top comedy writers Brian Kiley (genius writer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien since 1994)
and Bryan Tucker (writer for Saturday Night Live; previously written for Chappelle's Show and
Mad TV), plus improv beatbox genius Reggie Watts, comedic chameleon Brett Gelman,
and more at Liam McEneaney's free show Tell Your Friends (8:00ish pm),
delightful stand-up Jackie Monahan and friends at Dykes on Mics (8:00ish pm),
political sketch comedy, plus an interview with author Eric Alterman (Why We're Liberals:
A Political Handbook to Post-Bush America), at Liz Winstead's Shoot the Messenger (8:00 pm),
the magical Livia Scott delivering a brilliant performance in her one-woman show about OJ Simpson fans,
and LOGO's Kate McKinnon premiering a one-woman show about pill-popping fairy princesses,
in Goodnight, O.J. and Disenchanted (9:30 pm),
the results of months of work from promising new sketch troupe As Sparks Fly Upward (9:30 pm),
and brilliant comics Anthony Jeselnik (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, MTV), Rob Riggle
(correspondent for The Daily Show), Chris Gethard (world-class storyteller), and more at
one of the finest comedy shows in NYC—which just happens to be free—Cavalcade! (11:00 pm).
Lottery-style open mic for stand-up comics trying out material,
with 4½ minutes per performer...in return for a $5 contribution to the weekly prize kitty.
(In addition, Ochi's 1-item food or drink minimum applies to everyone.)
A breathtaking 30+ comics perform in this 2½ hour show; producer
John Morrison (above) has described it as "comedy on crack."
If you're seeking consistent laughs, this might not be the best way to spend
your evening. But if you're patient and adventurous, it's a potentially wild ride.
And if you're a performer looking for some stage time, it's a nice opportunity.
Plus if you stick around till the show's end to support your fellow comics,
you have a chance at winning the cash from the kitty, along with smaller prizes.
Ochi's Motel is hosted & booked by Sean Donnelly and Joe Powers.
To be entered into the weekly random drawing for performers,
please send email to ochismotel[at]gmail.com.
There are two shows tonight, at 6:30 and 9:00 pm (with entirely different sets of comics).
6:30 pm & 9:00 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues)
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Liam McEneaney and Reggie Watts...
...and Brett Gelman, Byron Tucker, and Brian Kiley
This free weekly comedy show is produced by—and tonight, also hosted by—
Liam McEneaney (VH1's Best Week Ever, Comedy Central's Premium Blend,
former writer for Standup Nation with Greg Giraldo).
This evening's wonderful guests are
Reggie Watts (musical improv comedy genius; winner of 2007 Andy Kaufman Award;
scary talented vocalist, beatboxer, and musician whose unique skills will likely amaze you;
to learn more, please visit ReggieWatts.com; and for video samples of what Reggie does,
Brian Kiley (brilliant writer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien since 1994; has performed on Late Show with David Letterman, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents),
Brett Gelman (comedic chameleon who's currently ubiquitous as the Little Bit of Luck guy in New York Lottery ads; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report; ace improv troupe Death by Roo Roo; host of new weekly NYC live comedy show Gelmania; for a recent interview
with Brett, please click here; for samples of Brett's mind-blowing work with partner Jon Daly, please click here and here, and also check out their hip-hop parody album Fleetwood Cracked),
Bryan Tucker (writer for Saturday Night Live; previously written for Comedy Central's
Chappelle's Show and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, as well as Mad TV and
The Chris Rock Show; performed on Comedy Central's Premium Blend;
for a brief stand-up video, please click here), and
Bobby Miyamoto (Comedy Central's Premium Blend; Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson; for
stand-up about educational opportunities in Dallas and dating Tori Spelling, please click here).
8:00ish pm at Lolita Bar, 226 Broome Street (between Allen and Orchard Streets); free
Nearest subway stops are Delancey Street via the F or Delancey-Essex via the J/M/Z.
Amy Beckerman, Gloria Bigelow, Jackie Monahan, and Leah Dubie
Free gay-themed stand-up comedy show featuring the gals above
as regulars/hosts, plus tonight's terrific guests:
Susan Alexander, Tara Devlin, Chesslee Calloway, and Danny Leary.
8:00 pm at RubyFruit Bar & Grill, 531 Hudson Street (between West 10th & Charles);
no cover, one item (food or drink) minimum
Author Eric Alterman & his new book Why We're Liberals, and STM host Lizz Winstead
Lizz Winstead is co-creator and former head writer of the original The Daily Show; former Executive VP of Air America Radio; and a performer on such shows as Comedy Central Presents and HBO's Women of the Night. (She's also a character; e.g., for a memorable anti-apology after canceling her appearance on the live NYC show Drink at Work, please click here.)
Tonight's guest is Eric Alterman, who runs the popular political blog Altercation, is a professor of English and Journalism at CUNY, and is the author of seven books including the brand new Why We're Liberals: A Political Handbook to Post-Bush America.
To get a feel for STM, please view a fun interview with cartoonist David Rees by clicking here
and read a March 2008 New York Times article about the show by clicking here.
8:00 pm at The Green Room, 45 Bleecker Street (off Lafayette); tickets are $12.50
Nearest subway stop is Bleecker Street on the #6 (which brings you virtually to the door of the theatre)
and Broadway-Lafayette on the F/V/D/B.
Storked: A Journey in Fatherhood
George Clark returns to The PIT with this one-man show
about becoming a dad.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
Livia Scott in Goodnight, OJ; and Kate McKinnon in Disenchanted
Livia Scott: Goodnight, O.J. and Kate McKinnon: Disenchanted
Two magical one-woman sketch shows for a mere five bucks.
Brilliant comedic chameleon Livia Scott (Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
world-class sketch group Meat, Livia's Castle of Enchantment), wrote and performs
this superb ECNY Award-nominated one-woman show, described as follows:
"In 1994, while he was in prison and on trial for murder, O.J. Simpson received
over 300,000 letters. To help pay for his defense and gain public support,
he had them published in a book called I Want to Tell You by O.J. Simpson: My Response
to Your Letters, Your Messages, Your Questions. Alternately humorous, disturbing,
and poignant, Goodnight, O.J. explores the minds of the people who wrote him."
The idea is clever; but Livia's thoughtful choices and hilarious performance make this truly special...and recommended. For a video sample, please click here. Directed by
Baron Vaughn (MTV's The Gamekillers, VH1's Best Week Ever, Shoot the Messenger).
The double-bill then continues with brand new sketch show Disenchanted from comedic actress Kate McKinnon (cast member on the LOGO TV series The Big Gay Sketch Show).
The official description: "Watch the beloved fairy princesses of your childhood
pop a few Klonopins and eat themselves into a coma."
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
As Sparks Fly Upward: Stories->Improv->Sketch
This comedy troupe has spent months telling stories off the top of their heads, then improvising
scenes based on the tales, and finally turning the best bits into scripted sketches.
It's a clever way of crafting a sketch show organically, week by week—and tonight
you can see the results. Performing will be Chris Caniglia, Scott Eckert,
Sarah Nowak, and Shelly Stover.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); $8
Chris Gethard, Rob Riggle, and Rob Cantrell...
...and concerned citizens observing with Anthony Jeselnik (being lauded by Robin Williams)
This razor-sharp stand-up extravaganza is no place for the innocent.
However, it's enormous fun...and free.
Tonight's thoroughly wonderful guests are
Anthony Jeselnik (phenomenal comic specializing in darkly shocking jokes and one of
my favorite stand-ups ever; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, MTV's Most Valuable Players;
for stand-up videos, please click here and here),
Rob Riggle (hilarious, organic, honest; correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;
other credits include Saturday Night Live, The Office, Arrested Development, Human Giant),
Chris Gethard (one of the most talented and brilliant storytellers and improvisors in New York;
The Stepfathers, The Nights of Our Lives, Happy Hour, author of book Weird New York),
Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, CBS's Late Late Show, VH1),
and Dan Mintz ("It's so much easier for kids to jerk off than it used to be.
When I was young, you had to find the Sears catalog, flip to the lingerie section.
Now, with the Internet, I just turn on my computer, get online, and go right to Sears.com.").
Tonight's show—produced by Jeremy Levenbach—is likely to be one of the funniest in NYC.
And it's free.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 4/22/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
razor-sharp stand-up Joe DeRosa (Carolines), the delightful Brooke Van Poppelen (Slumber Party),
Moody McCarthy (Last Comic Standing), and Carmen Lynch (Last Comic Standing) battling it out on stage
for audience votes in a new biweekly stand-up competition: Eric I's Comedy Showdown (7:00ish pm)
lively & fun discussions about comic books, with star bestselling writer Chris Claremont
(X-Men, New Mutants, New Exiles), at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),
a silly celebration of Earth Day by the superb Kimmy Gatewood, musical duo Pembroke and Lu,
witty sketch performer Daiva Deupree, and more at Mearth Day (8:00 pm),
sneak peaks at the two improv troupes that'll be going head to head later this week via Harold Night (8:00 pm),
typically terrific stand-up comics at Carol Hartsell & Sean Crespo's Drink at Work (9:00 pm),
and five women performing an improvised, and possibly tipsy, parody of The View at Focus (9:30 pm).
Joe DeRosa and Brooke Van Poppelen
This new biweekly extravaganza is a comedy competition hosted by Eric I.
Four established NYC comics, plus two up-and-coming comics selected at the show's start
from the audience, each get 8 minutes on stage to be funny. The audience then votes
on who it believes was most hilarious. The winner receives an additional 5 minutes
of stage time to make comedic fun of the losers; and also moves on to a semi-final round in June to determine a season champion (with a prize of $500, and bragging rights).
Tonight's four battling veteran comics are
Joe DeRosa (star stand-up who performs regularly at Carolines, Comix, etc.;
for a video sample, please click here),
Brooke Van Poppelen (sexy and adorable co-host of NYC biweekly live comedy show
Slumber Party; for a video sample, please click here),
Moody McCarthy (Last Comic Standing, Jimmy Kimmel Live;
for stand-up video about Web dating on NetZero, please click here), and
Carmen Lynch (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central's Premium Blend;
for stand-up video about being tall, please click here).
Expect sparks to fly.
7:00ish pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
X-Men writer Chris Claremont and friends
Hosted by Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler and Pete LePage,
who enjoy discussing comic books while getting laughs.
Tonight's guest is Chris Claremont, who is one of the most popular writers in the industry,
and is largely responsible for turning The X-Men from an over-the-hill 1960s group
into one of the hottest properties in comics history.
In addition, the gang will probably have some fun anecdotes to relate
from this past weekend's ComicCon.
To get a feel for the smart, playful vibe of Comic Book Club, please check out its podcasts—
that is, audio recordings of previous shows in their entirety—by clicking here.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
Pembroke and Lu, Kimmy Gatewood, and Daiva Deupree
This show is sorta like Earth Day, only funny.
It's hosted by Louisa Banks, and features these superb guests:
Kimmy Gatewood (lovely and brilliantly talented comedic actress, singer, dancer,
improvisor, director, and writer; Apple Sisters Variety Show, Nerdcore Rising),
Pembroke & Lu (likeable singing duo; for video songs about gay marriage
and being scared of the homeless, please click here and here),
Daiva Deupree (half of witty & luminous sketch comedy duo Two Girls For Five Bucks),
Vicki Ferentinos (host of NYC weekly live comedy show Laugh Out Loud),
and the BTK Band.
Note: Please mention this site, HyReviews.com, to get half off the $10 ticket price.
8:00 pm at Broadway Comedy Club, 318 West 53rd Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
$5 per ticket (vs. $10) by mentioning HyReviews.com via phone (212/757-2323) or at the door,
plus two-item drink or food minimum (with tax & tip, figure on paying additional $13 or up)
The Harold is longform improv, pioneered by Del Close.
Tonight, five improv troupes—
Twelve Thousand Dollars, DeCoster, Bastian, 1985, and T.R.U.C.K.S.—
each give it a go for 30 minutes, with
short breaks in between, for a total of 3 hours.
Some of the groups are great; some are less so. And this show
is designed more for students of improv than the general public.
But if you're interested, and patient, a mere $5 will buy you
a full evening's education...and periodic solid laughs.
Please Note: Two of these groups, Bastian and 1985,
will be going head to head in this week's Cage Match.
Tonight is therefore a great opportunity to get a sneak peak at the techniques
of both troupes before they head into battle on Thursday.
8:00-11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Gal comedy duo Sara McGowan and Jamie Marrs, fresh off a tour in LA,
perform an hour of sketch, improv, and games.
To get a feel for these redheads at play, please click here.
8:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Carol Hartsell and Sean Crespo
Weekly show produced by Carol Hartsell and hosted by Sean Crespo
(stand-up comic and prolific filmmaker; for samples, please click here & here & here).
Tonight's guests haven't been announced, but the show has recently been delivering
superb lineups. To check for a last-minute update, please click here.
9:00 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
This weekly comedy show is a parody of The View that's mostly improvised by performers
Brigid Boyle, Emily Bryan, Nicole Cascio, Caroline Ficksman, and Alexis Saarela.
The official description:
"Hey, Darlings! Come sit down with a cup of coffee (or perhaps a martini) and join the panel
of five of New York's most talkative and opinionated women as they discuss the week's events,
and interview alluring guests from the worlds of literature, politics, comedy, and more.
This show will keep you in Focus. Let's talk about issues, over drinks!"
9:30 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 4/23/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
comedy titans Michael Showalter (MTV, movie writer/director) and Reggie Watts (2007 Andy Kaufman Award),
along with surprise guest comics, at CBS/NYC Presents: Michael Showalter and Reggie Watts (8:00 pm),
a breathtaking gathering of uniformly brilliant comics, including Todd Barry (David Letterman, Conan O'Brien,
HBO, Comedy Central), Eugene Mirman (HBO, Comedy Central, Adult Swim), Nick Kroll (VH1, MTV,
star of ABC's Cavemen), Chelsea Peretti (Variety Shac), Tom McCaffrey (Comedy Central),
and host Brett Gelman (Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report) at a spectacular edition of Gelmania (8:30 pm),
open mic stand-up in Queens' LIC, with ace sketch troupe Olde English as guest headliner,
at John F. O'Donnell's The Kingdom of Heaven (8:30 pm),
delicious comics Margaret Champagne, Joselyn Hughes, and Brooke Van Poppelen inviting
some of the coolest gals and guys they know for stand-up comedy fun at their Slumber Party (9:00 pm),
an unsettling sketch troupe and a soap opera improv troupe in the double-bill
Pangea 3000 Recommends the Beatles and Hot Lather (9:30 pm),
and a laid-back free show where virtually anything can happen on a School Night (11:00).
For details, please click here.
TV Alert: South Park is one of the very best comedies in TV history, and this season
has been especially superb—which, considering how long the series has been going,
is little short of astonishing. If you aren't already tuning in, for goodness sakes,
set your TiVo for the new episode on Comedy Central tonight at 10:00.
For NYC comedy club discounts, please click here.
Currently available are discounts for select Comix shows
and a 50% discount on all tickets for the Broadway Comedy Club.
As Sparks Fly Upward: Stories->Improv->Sketch
This comedy troupe tells stories off the top of their heads, then improvises
scenes based on the tales...which may later turn into scripted sketches.
It's a clever way of crafting a sketch show organically, week by week—and you can
watch the whole process, at no charge. The group consists of Kevin Allison,
Chris Caniglia, Scott Eckert, Sarah Nowak, Nate Starkey, and Shelly Stover.
6:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); free
Adam Newman and Shawn Pearlman
Weekly comedy show hosted by
Adam Newman (CMT's Prankville'd, VH1's Best Week Ever blog, co-host of
monthly NYC live comedy show Street Meat; host of weekly NYC live open mic comedy show
Blowtorch Slaughter; half of musical comedy duo Uber Luber Death Metal) and
Shawn Pearlman ("If you're in a bad neighborhood, blowing a rape whistle
is like ringing a dinner bell;" for stand-up videos, please click here and here).
Tonight's guests haven't been announced, but they're likely to be
highly talented stand-up comics.
7:30 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Michael Showalter and Reggie Watts
CBS/NYC Presents: Michael Showalter and Reggie Watts
Tonight is a showcase for two comedy giants:
Michael Showalter (brilliant comedic rebel without a cause; MTV's seminal sketch show The State,
legendary comedy troupe Stella, writer/director/star of feature film The Baxter,
co-writer/co-star of feature film Wet Hot American Summer, co-host of
the 2008 ECNY Award-winning weekly Brooklyn comedy show Tearing the Veil of Maya), and
Reggie Watts (musical improv comedy genius; winner of 2007 Andy Kaufman Award;
scary talented vocalist, beatboxer, and musician whose unique skills will likely amaze you;
to learn more, please visit ReggieWatts.com; and for video samples of what Reggie does,
Several unannounced guest comics will also perform.
This show is sold out on seats; but you can still get in if you're okay with standing.
(Then again, if you're not, consider tonight's other breathtaking lineup at Gelmania...)
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Big Black Car and Fancy Dragon
This free weekly show features the two PIT improv teams above,
each of which performs for about 30 minutes. For a video sample of Big Black Car,
please click here; and for a video sample of Fancy Dragon, please click here.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); free
Comedy geniuses Todd Barry, Eugene Mirman, and Nick Kroll...
...and Tom McCaffrey, Brett Gelman, Little Bit of Luck, and Chelsea Peretti
This wonderful weekly show is hosted by Brett Gelman, a comedic chameleon
who's currently ubiquitous as the Little Bit of Luck guy in New York Lottery ads.
Brett's numerous credits include Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report,
and ace improv troupe Death by Roo Roo. For a recent interview with Brett, please click here; for samples of Brett's mind-blowing work with partner Jon Daly, please click here and here,
and also check out their hip-hop parody album Fleetwood Cracked.
Tonight Brett welcomes an awesome collection of comedic talent:
Todd Barry (wryly brilliant stand-up who's one of the very best in the biz;
Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
Comedy Central Presents; HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Lucky Louie, and Sex in the City;
Comedy Central's Freak Show, Dr. Katz, and Shorties Watching Shorties;
Adult Swim's Space Ghost, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and Tom Goes To The Mayor;
check out his newest comedy CD From Heaven),
Eugene Mirman (comedy giant; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special,
Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Jump Cuts, HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1,
The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman and En Garde, Society! comedy albums,
co-host of the 2008 ECNY Award-winning weekly Brooklyn comedy show Tearing the Veil of Maya),
Nick Kroll (one of the most razor-sharp and hilarious comics working today,
exhibiting the versatility and brilliance of an Andy Kaufman;
VH1's Best Week Ever, MTV's Human Giant, highlight of ABC's recent Cavemen sitcom,
and the winner of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best One-Person Show—
Fabrice Fabrice, which was among the funniest shows I've ever seen;
for a few videos by this comic heading towards major stardom, please click here),
Chelsea Peretti (exceptionally fresh, smart stand-up comic; member of superb
comedy troupe Variety Shac; writer for Village Voice, Details, Playgirl, Jest,
blackpeopleloveus.com, and Rejection Line: 212/479-7990), and
Tom McCaffrey (Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Shorties Watchin' Shorties.
8:30 pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); $5
John F. O'Donnell and Olde English
Free open mic stand-up comedy show in Queens' Long Island City
(just one stop from Manhattan on the #7 train).
Hosted by John F. O'Donnell (Comedy Central's Fresh Faces; for stand-up video, please click here),
a wild man who will make you love him...and who genuinely loves comedy and fellow comics.
If you're looking for stage time, John makes this a very friendly place to perform.
Sign-up for the open mic is at 7:30.
Tonight's guest headliner is Olde English: world-class sketch troupe,
prodigious generator of funny videos, and host of the
monthly UCBT midnight show Very Fresh. The group consists of
Caleb Bark, Ben Popik,David Segal, Adam Conover, and Raphael Bob-Waksberg.
8:30 pm at The Creek and The Cave, 10-93 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, Queens; free
From Manhattan, take the #7 subway to the Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue stop (one stop after Grand Central);
exit on Jackson Avenue and walk one block north to 49th Avenue.
Your hosts Margaret Champagne, Joselyn Hughes, and Brooke Van Poppelen at...
This twice-monthly event is "the sort of variety show that happens when three girls
are delirious from staying up all night boozing and slap-happy from crank-calling!"
How can you resist? The lovely & hilarious hosts are
Margaret Champagne (Carolines, UCBT; for acting reel, please click here),
Joselyn Hughes (for video questioning the effectiveness of rape whistles, please click here), and
Brooke Van Poppelen (Carolines, Laugh Factory; for a video sample, please click here).
Tonight's stand-up comedy guests haven't been announced, but they're typically superb.
9:00 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Pangea 3000 Recommends the Beatles and Hot Lather
Two unusual troupes for five bucks.
First up is Pangea 3000 performing a set of sketch comedy routines that in some odd way involve the Beatles. The group consists of Andrew Cleary, Sam Kemmis, Dan Klein, Arthur Meyer, and Seth Reiss. To view two of their surreal tales of games guys play, involving whoopee cushions and tag, please click here and here.
The double-bill then continues with Hot Lather, an improv group that specializes
in the soap opera format. Its members include some powerhouse performers:
Mike Cavanaugh, Matt Fisher, Jon Gutierrez, Molly Lloyd, Anna Rubanova, Achilles Stamatelaky, Mike Still, Abra Tabak, Andree Vermeulen, and Paul Welsh,
with direction by Rob Webber.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Kurt Braunohler, Pat Shay, and Kimmy Gatewood
The Faculty and The Baldwins and Sid Viscous
Some of the PIT's instructors—who include such talents as Ali Farahnakian,
Kurt Braunohler, Ptolemy Slocum, Jen Nails, Pat Shay, Matt Donnelly, Kevin Scott,
Rebekka Johnson, and Kimmy Gatewood—perform improv for around 30 minutes.
And opening for them will be house improv troupes The Baldwins and Sid Viscous.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); free
Host Justin Purnell provides a mix of guests who perform stand-up, improv, music,
and occasionally acts that defy categorization. The level of talent can vary wildly—
but for some (like me), that's part of the laid-back fun.
Come support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises,
that this free show makes possible.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 4/24/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
the brilliant Dave Hill, who's not only hilarious but plays an instrument, plus Dangaru guitarist Phil Yanos,
at a show mixing comedy and music: Tim Ellis' & Matthew Park's Of the Moment (7:00 pm),
world-class storytellers Tom Shillue and Kambri Crews, plus a small mob of stand-up comics
including Matt Daly, Dean Obeidallah, Danny Leary, and Jenny Rubin, telling funny and
sometimes poignant tales about their relatives at Sara Benincasa's Family Hour (7:30 pm),
one of the most charming & entertaining groups in NYC, recently off a sold-out three-city tour and winning
the ECNY Award for Best Musical Comedy Act, performing a show about April Fools: The Apple Sisters (8:00 pm),
The delightful Amber Petty, Jessie Schupack, and Tricia McAlpin of Penny, along with
duo Rubin & Munoz, in the sketch double-bill White Orphans/The Lance and Ray Show (8:00 pm),
some of the most awesomely funny comics in the country, including Nick Kroll (VH1, MTV,
star of ABC's Cavemen), Anthony Jeselnik (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, MTV),
Mary Van Note (dazzlingly sly wit from LA), Dan Mintz (great dead-pan stand-up), and John
Gemberling (Fat Guy Stuck in Internet), at the hilarious Joe Mande's & Noah Garfinkel's Totally J/K (8:30 pm),
fine stand-ups Ophira Eisenberg, Becky Donohue, Jenny Rubin, and more in The Back Room (9:00 pm),
razor-sharp folks having fun with the news: brilliant stand-up John Mulaney (Conan O'Brien),
Kate Spencer (VH1), Josh Tyrangiel (Time Magazine editor), Dan Kois (New York Magazine editor),
and hosts Anthony King and Scott Brown at Shut Up! I Hate You! (9:30 pm),
and UCBT Harold Night improv troupes Bastian and 1985
competing for audience laughs & votes at Cage Match (11:00 pm).
Dave Hill checking on what moment it is, and hosts Tim Ellis & Matthew Park
Tim Ellis & Matthew Park host this monthly show mixing comedy and music
(for the duo's unique version of "The Sound of Silence," please click here).
Tonight's guests include Dave Hill, who's one of the sharpest and freshest comics in NYC. Dave's written for The New York Times, Salon, HBO, and the eerie Web site Black Metal Dialogues; written and performed for VH1, Spike TV, The Learning Channel, and the
fabulous Smoking Gun TV series; hosts the monthly UCBT extravaganza
The Dave Hill Explosion (to learn more, please click here); and is also a talented musician.
Also performing tonight will be Phil Yanos, guitarist for the band Dangaru;
and Matt Oberg, member of improv troupe Big Black Car
(for a video sample of BBC, please click here).
7:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
Jenny Rubin, and happy children with "Aunt" Sara Benincasa...
...and Dean Obeidallah, Tom Shillue, and Kambri Crews
A stand-up comedy show in which everyone tells jokes and/or stories related to
their family. Hosted by comic/actress Sara Benincasa (MTV's Choose or Lose Campaign;
host of Tub Talk with Sara B. on Nerve.com; for video sample, please click here).
Tonight's superb guests include
Tom Shillue (Comedy Central Presents, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show
with Jon Stewart; storytelling podcasts; host of NYC monthly comedy show Moonwork;
comedy CD Overconfident!; for stand-up samples, please click here and here),
Kambri Crews (luminous performer, stellar publicist & producer, and one of the most sharp, charming, and heartfelt comedic storytellers working in NYC; for Kambri's correspondence with her deaf dad, who's in a Texas prison for trying to stab his wife to death, please visit Web site LoveDaddy.org; for a video of Kambri reading her jailed dad's wedding toast, please click here),
Matt Daly (for stand-up video about jello shots, dinosaurs, and Cookie Monster, please click here),
Dean Obeidallah (Comedy Central's Axis of Evil, one-man show I Come in Peace),
Danny Leary (host of weekly NYC live comedy show On the Rocks with Danny Leary),
Jenny Rubin (host of NYC live comedy shows The Back Room and Max!),
Jon Lang (for stand-up about learning his brother is gay, please click here),
Matt Little (member of sketch/improv troupe Thank You, Robot—
for video about the cool new game "Volcano Blast," please click here), and
Thomas J. Kelly (warmup comic for ABC's The View;
creator of Web sites IHateWeddings.com and LittleMermen.com).
7:30 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Photo on left: Rebekka Johnson, Kimmy Gatewood, and Sarah Lowe
Photo on right: Sarah Lowe, Rebekka Johnson, and Kimmy Gatewood
The Apple Sisters: It's April, Fool
The delicious Apple Sisters—Kimmy Gatewood, Rebekka Johnson, and Sarah Lowe, with Tom Thomsen on keyboard—have sung, danced, and naughtily joked their ways into New York City's heart. This homage to 1940s girl groups like The Andrew Sisters has been one of the great successes of 2007, having done 10 original shows, sold-out performances at comedy festivals around the country, and recently winning the 2008 for Best Musical Comedy Act.
Tonight the gals perform It's April, Fool, a show likely to be full of fun and surprises.
From the official description: "The Apple Sisters are Candy, Cora, and Seedy. Their mother, Ms. Reddy Apple, was a vaudeville star and she passed down the legacy to her three girls! The trio present their live show, broadcast on WXYZ AM Radio, straight to the troops in Germany, and present the show on stage at the Peoples Improv Theater in their first and favorite home, the Big Apple! Be a chum and always use Doramad Toothpaste, now with Thorium!"
To get a feel for the production, please click here & here & here & here.
The show tends to sell out, so it's recommended you buy an advance ticket
online ($9.19, including service charge) by clicking here.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street; tickets are $8 at the door
Comedy troupe Penny (Amber Petty, Jessie Schupack and Tricia McAlpin) in White Orphans...
...and Lance Rubin & Ray Munoz in The Lance & Ray Show
Penny: White Orphans and The Lance & Ray Show
Sketch/improv group Penny consists of the adorable & very funny comedy trio
Amber Petty, Trisha McAlpin, and Jessie Schupack. In tonight's show, the gals
promise to "guide you through their wonderful world of art, music, and laughter.
You'll laugh till you cry, cry till you laugh, and be moved enough that you too
will want a white orphan for your very own." Directed by Susannah Beckett.
The double-bill then continues with The Lance & Ray Show, which is sketch comedy
in a stream-of-consciousness style from funny duo Lance Rubin & Ray Munoz.
I liked the comedic intentions more than the actual material, but the audience
I saw this with seemed to enjoy the whole package. Either way,
these guys are talented and promising.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Hosted by quick-witted best buds Noah Garfinkel and
Joe Mande, the 2008 ECNY Award winner for Best Emerging Comic.
(For dueling birthday videos, please click here and here; and
for other videos, please click here and here.)
Tonight's thoroughly wonderful guests include
Nick Kroll (one of the most razor-sharp and hilarious comics working today,
exhibiting the versatility and brilliance of an Andy Kaufman;
VH1's Best Week Ever, MTV's Human Giant, highlight of ABC's recent Cavemen sitcom,
and the winner of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best One-Person Show—
Fabrice Fabrice, which was among the funniest shows I've ever seen;
for a few videos by this comic heading towards major stardom, please click here),
Anthony Jeselnik (phenomenal comic specializing in darkly shocking jokes and one of
my favorite stand-ups ever; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, MTV's Most Valuable Players;
for stand-up videos, please click here and here),
Mary Van Note (breathtakingly sly comic who hosts a live comedy show in LA and
creates mind-blowing videos; for tips on how to date Mary, please click here),
Dan Mintz ("It's so much easier for kids to jerk off than it used to be.
When I was young, you had to find the Sears catalog, flip to the lingerie section.
Now, with the Internet, I just turn on my computer, get online, and go right to Sears.com;"
for more of an exceptionally funny set, please click here), and
John Gemberling (co-creator and co-star of TV series Fat Guy Stuck in Internet;
MTV's Human Giant; member of genius improv troupe Death by Roo Roo).
8:30 pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); tickets are $5
Jenny Rubin, Dave Rubin, Paul Case, and Shawn Hollenbach...
...and Ophira Eisenberg and Becky Donohue
Gay-themed comedy (with both gay and straight comics), hosted by the charming Jenny Rubin.
Tonight's fine guests are
Becky Donohue (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and
Shorties Watchin' Shorties; TLC's Trading Spaces; Fashion Police writer for US Weekly),
Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, VH1's Best Week Ever,
E!; Fashion Police writer for US Weekly),
Mike Singer (here! tv.com),
Back Room co-producer Paul Case (MTV),
Back Room co-producer Shawn Hollenbach (here! tv.com), and
Back Room co-producer Dave Rubin (here! tv.com).
9:00 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Anthony King, Scott Brown, John Mulaney, and Kate Spencer
A funny look at the news, with lots of amusing video clips,
hosted by Anthony King (UCBT Artistic Director, Reuben Williams)
and Scott Brown (writer for Entertainment Weekly, and
co-writer with Anthony King of Gutenberg: The Musical).
Tonight's razor-sharp panelists are
John Mulaney (one of the best stand-up comics around; VH1's Best Week Ever
Late Night with Conan O'Brien; for John's sets on Conan, please click here and here),
Kate Spencer (VH1.com, member of stellar improv troupe Reuben Williams),
Josh Tyrangiel (Managing Editor of Time.com, and previously a music critic
for Rolling Stone, Vibe, Entertainment Weekly, and MTV), and
Dan Kois (former film exec and literary agent; currently writer and editor for New York Magazine's
culture blog Vulture; also writer of hilarious sketches such as The Rumor).
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
vs.
This delightful show pits two improv teams against each other while creating the
atmosphere of a professional wrestling arena—and providing such side-shows
as a bout to the death between guys costumed as an alcoholic wolf and TV's Alf.
(For a spirited weekly report on the wrestling aspect of Cage Match, please click here.)
For the past two weeks, improv group Bastian has proved to be a giant-killer.
It first beat out genius troupe The Stepfathers by nine votes; and then
squeezed past Mother, the most successful troupe in Cage Match history,
by an even tighter margin...winning 49 to 45!
Tonight the champions of Bastian—Brian Barrett, Maggie Carey, Adam Frucci, Brandon Gardner, Lydia Hensler, Molly Lloyd, Oscar Magallanes, and John Murray—face one of their own, i.e., another UCBT troupe that performs Tuesdays on Harold Night.
1985 consists of Birch Harms, Sue Galloway, Porter Mason, Adam Pally, Risa Sang-urai, Gavin Speiller, Erik Tanouye...and Ben Rodgers, the pitch-perfect and thoroughly hilarious
co-announcer of Cage Match. That might constitute a conflict of interest;
but then again, maybe Neil Casey is free up this evening...
Tonight is likely to be great fun, and there's no telling what will happen...
which is one of the great pleasures of this extravaganza.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 4/25/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
hilarious amateur videos via the Found Footage Festival (7:00 pm),
a sketch comedy show from sharp duo Greg Burke & Lou Perez (7:00 pm),
Kumail Nanjiani performing a superbly written, gripping, and witty one-man show
about his struggle with Islam growing up in Pakistan: Unpronounceable (8:00 pm),
a breathtaking gathering of uniformly genius comics, including John Oliver (The Daily Show),
Todd Barry (Letterman, Conan, HBO, Comedy Central), Nick Kroll (VH1, MTV, star of ABC's Cavemen),
Anthony Jeselnik (Conan, Comedy Central, MTV), and Jon Benjamin (FOX, MTV, Adult Swim),
celebrating the spectacular anniversary edition of The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show (8:30 pm),
some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers (9:30 pm),
disturbingly odd sketch comedy from Rue Brutalia, equally odd Instant Message exchanges
from Kill Secretary Kill, and more at Desiree Nash's All You Can Laff Buffet (9:30 pm),
singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical (10:00 pm),
one of my all-time favorite improv troupes, the brilliant and daring members of Death by Roo Roo (11:00 pm),
and a very special show from Jon Daly, one of the most versatile and daring comics in NYC,
who'll be strutting out such characters as a drunken British talking pine tree in Jon's
magical celebration of Arbor Day: Sappity Tappity's Romp Through Liquor Forest (12:15ish am).
Just two of the many memorable images from the FFF
Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher have spent two years scouring thrift stores
and garage sales around the country for odd, funny, and startling videos.
The results screen tonight at 7:00 pm (and are repeated at 9:00 pm, plus tomorrow night).
Based on the stills above, the time was well-spent.
For video samplers, please click here and here.
How can you resist?
7:00 pm & 9:00 pm at Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave (at 2nd Street); tickets are $10;
to buy in advance online, please click here
Lou Perez and Greg Burke
Expect smart writing and committed performances from sketch comedy duo Greg & Lou:
Greg Burke (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Law & Order, Guiding Light) and
Lou Perez (co-star with Greg in sketch comedy group The Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz;
also a talented short story writer & contributor to Fiction Magazine as Luis Amate Perez).
For a video sample, please click here.
7:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Kumail Nanjiani: Unpronounceable
Kumail Nanjiani is a rising stand-up comedy star. (To get a feel for his usual material, please check out Nanjiani's routines about the dark side of video games, odd memories, and the many ways cell phones are eliminated in horror films by clicking here.) But in this autobiographical one-man show, Nanjiani demonstrates that he's also a thoughtful, witty writer who can effectively mix laughter with poignancy.
Nanjiani begins by describing his growing up in Pakistan, where religion dictates virtually every thought and action:
You know how when you do arts and crafts and you use glitter, and when you're done you look around and you've got glitter everywhere? It's on your hands. It's on the carpet. It's in your hair. It's in your ears. That's how Islam is. It's all over everything.
That's especially difficult considering the high standards Islam sets:
In the afterlife you're taken to the edge of a cliff. Across the way is Heaven. But it's a ways off, not like "Hey, I'm gonna pop over to Heaven to borrow some sugar. Be back in 10." And there's a rope you have to balance yourself on to get to the other side. But this isn't just any rope...it's thinner than the thinnest human hair and sharper than the sharpest knife in the world. And you have to balance yourself and cross this rope—barefoot—to get to Heaven. And below you...is Hell.
That's a lot to deal with for an 8-year-old boy.
When he got a bit older, Nanjiani got hold of videotapes from America, and...
I watched mostly horror films—even though I was never scared of them. I imagined myself standing over Hell five times every day. When you hear that much about molten lead in your ears and mountains flying at you, Saw is like a Disney movie.
In the first half of his show, Nanjiani makes a compelling—and, at times, hair-raising—case against religious zealotry, an emphasis on the afterlife over the here-and-now, and blindly following the crowd.
In the second half, he describes how his experiences at a college in Iowa slowly changed him. Eventually Nanjiani abandoned Islam; religion in general; and even belief in God.
This is effectively where his show ends. And frankly, I wish there was a third act.
Because while Nanjiani's rebellion against the rules he grew up with is wholly understandable, he doesn't make clear what he's found to replace them (aside from some references to favoring love for people over love for God...as if it must be an either-or decision).
Also not clarified is why getting disillusioned with one's childhood religion—or, for that matter, any organized religion—translates to becoming an atheist. If you're appalled by how a group has interpreted or twisted a concept, you can reject the group but still embrace the concept.
For these reasons, I feel the tale is incomplete; but hey, so is life at Nanjiani's age of 29.
And in fairness, I had the same problems with a one-man show Matt Besser performed at UCBT a couple of years ago titled Woo Pig Sooie! Besser was brought up Judeo-Christian; but at core he told the same story, and with the same conclusion. A young writer can do a lot worse than be compared to comedy giant Besser.
Kumail Nanjiani's show is at times gripping, insightful, shocking, and hilarious...and crammed with fascinating observations and anecdotes. Unpronounceable is well worth catching, and is highly recommended.
Please Note: This may be the last time Unpronounceable is performed for quite a while, as Nanjiani is focused on his stand-up career. If you can attend tonight, do.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Comedy geniuses Todd Barry, John Oliver, and Nick Kroll...
...and Anthony Jeselnik (being lauded by Robin Williams), and hosts Greg & Larry
The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show
This is one of the best comedy shows in New York.
But even so, tonight is extra special...featuring many of
my favorite comics ever for a blow-out anniversary extravaganza.
The hosts are Greg Johnson (sharp, quick-witted stand-up comic)
and Larry Murphy (brilliant voiceover actor who performs all the
key characters on Adult Swim's Assy McGee; other TV series include
Home Movies, O'Grady, Cheapseats, Computer Lab, Puppets N Such;
for an animated VO reel, please click here).
And the awesome all-star lineup includes
John Oliver (genius who's one of the very finest—and nicest—stand-up comics in the biz;
delightful & hilarious news correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
co-writer/star of The Department for BBC Radio 4; recently aired
his superb hour-long Comedy Central special, Terrifying Times),
Todd Barry (wryly brilliant stand-up who's one of the very best in the biz;
Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
Comedy Central Presents; HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Lucky Louie, and Sex in the City;
Comedy Central's Freak Show, Dr. Katz, and Shorties Watching Shorties;
Adult Swim's Space Ghost, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and Tom Goes To The Mayor;
check out his newest comedy CD From Heaven),
Nick Kroll (one of the most razor-sharp and hilarious comics working today,
exhibiting the versatility and brilliance of an Andy Kaufman;
VH1's Best Week Ever, MTV's Human Giant, highlight of ABC's recent Cavemen sitcom,
and the winner of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best One-Person Show—
Fabrice Fabrice, which was among the funniest shows I've ever seen;
for a few videos by this comic heading towards major stardom, please click here),
Anthony Jeselnik (phenomenal comic specializing in darkly shocking jokes and one of
my favorite stand-ups ever; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, MTV's Most Valuable Players;
for stand-up videos, please click here and here), and
Jon Benjamin (superb voiceover actor for FOX's Family Guy,
Adult Swim's Lucy the Daughter of the Devil, Home Movies, Assy McGee,
and Comedy Central's Freak Show, Dr. Katz; played talking can of
vegetables hooked on autofellatio in film Wet Hot American Summer
was thoroughly hilarious as Bruce Willis impersonator in classic Human Giant sketch).
In a word...jaw-dropping.
One caveat: This blow-out show is first come, first serve; and expect seats to fill quickly.
8:30 pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); tickets are $5
Bobby Moynihan, Zach Woods, Christina Gausas, Michael Delaney, and Chris Gethard
Some of the smartest & finest improv comics in NYC—Michael Delaney, Christina Gausas,
Chris Gethard, Will Hines, Bobby Moynihan, Shannon O'Neill, Silvija Ozols,
and Zach Woods—make up a series of scenes from a one-word audience suggestion.
With art and grace, these star talents will make you laugh—a lot.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Desiree Nash; a guy taking an all-you-can-eat offer too literally; and Jason Kalter & Jon Pack of Rue Brutalia
Desiree's All You Can Laff Buffet
This monthly variety show hosted by Desiree Nash (member of improv groups Frank
and Trainwreck) provides a mix of stand-up, sketch, improv, and music.
Tonight's guests include sketch troupe Rue Brutalia, consisting of comedy duo
Jon Pack and Jason Kalter, who create quirky, unsettling sketches you may
have trouble getting out of your head. To obtain a feel for their odd work,
check out a saga about a cartoon character with no balls, and
another about two guys who are the same man, by clicking here and here.
Also on the lineup is Kill Secretary Kill, which is IMing comedy duo
Michele O. Medlin and Sarah Nowak.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Veteran improvisor John O'Donnell is accompanied
by a rotating cast that might include such superb talents as
Tara Copeland, Scott Glover, Alex Marino, Louis Kornfeld,
Jessica Allen, Robin Rothman, and Megan Gray
—and with Frank Spitznagel on piano—
turn an interview with an audience member
into a musical they make up on the spot.
10:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $7
Death by Roo Roo: Your F*cked Up Family
Arguably the gutsiest improv troupe in NYC, the brilliant comics of Death by Roo Roo—Anthony Atamanuik, Neil Casey, Jackie Clarke, Brett Gelman, John Gemberling, and Curtis Gwinn—interview an audience member about family and then act out his or her life story
via improvised scenes. Sometimes scary, and usually hilarious.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Jon Daly doing his tree thing
Sappity Tappity: The Drunk British Pine Tree's Green Arbor Day Comedy Romp Through Liquor Forest
Even amidst the circle of immensely talented comics who practice their craft at UCBT,
Jon Daly stands out as a special kind of artist. Seemingly fearless, willing to try anything
for a laugh, but with very specific comedic tastes and a tough-minded approach
to being honest on stage, Daly is always a breath of fresh air...and damn funny.
Among Jon's many credits: member of superstar improv group Mother, which performs every week at the prime Saturday night at 9:00 slot at UCBT; recently wrapped acting in feature comedy films College Road Trip and Stick It Detroit; often works with his equally unique partner Brett Gelman, resulting in mind-blowing work (for sample videos, please click here and here);
has a hip-hop parody album with Brett titled Fleetwood Cracked;
and recently completed a Cracked Out pilot for Comedy Central.
Tonight Jon will probably deliver a parade of his memorable characters, the centerpiece
of which is Sappity Tappity—a drunken green tree. The official description:
"You know the old legend of the woods: If you drink enough liquor on Arbor Day, trees talk to you!
Sappity Tappity, America's favorite drunk British pine tree and his many mild-mannered woodland friends, present a drunken celebration of America's holiday, Arbor Day.
Sappity Tappity won't skimp on the drink, so you're guaranteed the highest quality entertainment of the greenest variety. Liquor Forest is alive with Frolicking Foibles, Fascinating Fairytales, and F*cking Fun! Come join Sappity Tappity for a musical romp with his timeless friends, the Flowers, the Sun, and the mysterious McCubbin.
Watch Out! He's Drunk! Look Out! He's British! Relax. He's a Bloody Tree!
Women take back the night all the time; time for trees to take back the Arbor Day."
12:15ish am at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 4/26/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
organic and immensely loveable married duo Mary Theresa Archbold and Pat Shay performing an
unforgettable sketch show based on Mary's life of being born with only one arm: Jazz Hand (7:00 pm),
hilarious amateur videos via the Found Footage Festival (7:00 pm & 9:00 pm),
star improvisation from writers & performers at 30 Rock, The Colbert Report,
and The Daily show who joyously declare Let's Have a Ball (7:30 pm),
Second City veterans, Magnet instructors, UCBT stars, and occasional celebs
at the Magnet's signature improv show, The Tiny Spectacular (7:30 pm),
improv comedy mixed with audience-supplied music at the rockin' Mother: The Soundtrack (9:00 pm),
inventive & hilarious sketch comedy from The Harvard Sailing Team (9:30 pm),
improvised TV shows about audience members via world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),
terrific storyteller Adam Wade and world-class sketch comedy troupe Drop Six
participating in this evening's Random Hookups with Slightly Known People (10:30 pm),
organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track! (10:30 pm),
disturbingly odd sketch comedy from Rue Brutalia in Two Guys and a Finger (11:00 pm),
and some undoubtedly shocking moments from the always inventive Cracked Out (Midnight).
Mary Theresa Archbold finds a unique way to silence
husband Pat Shay in their funny and touching show
Jazz Hand: Tales of a One Armed Woman
This sketch-based play is based on the real life experiences of Mary Theresa Archbold,
who was born missing an arm...and was one of the most sharp, engaging,
and endearing performers to grace last August's FringeNYC Festival.
In fact, she won a Best Actor Award, beating out literally
hundreds of other terrific talents from around the country.
It would've been easy to fall into the trap of creating something maudlin;
but instead Archbold and husband Pat Shay offer a very entertaining series
of autobiographical vignettes that are "slightly exaggerated...
but often closer to the truth than you'd suspect."
For a full review of the show, please click here. (The short version: Don't miss this.)
7:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Just two of the many memorable images from the FFF
Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher have spent two years scouring thrift stores
and garage sales around the country for odd, funny, and startling videos.
The results screen tonight at 7:00 pm, and are repeated at 9:00 pm.
Based on the stills above, the time was well-spent.
For video samplers, please click here and here.
How can you resist?
7:00 pm & 9:00 pm at Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave (at 2nd Street); tickets are $10;
to buy in advance online, please click here
Becky Drysdale, Anthony King, Christina Gausas, Peter Gwinn, and Tami Sagher
Some of the sharpest writers and performers in NYC get together for long-form improv fun.
The players typically include Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-director & cast member of Adult Swim's brilliant & Emmy-winning Moral Orel), Kay Cannon (writer for 30 Rock), Becky Drysdale (acclaimed one-woman show One Woman in Several Pieces, Web video series Time Traveling Lesbian), Christina Gausas (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Stepfathers, Dorff & Gausas), Peter Gwinn (writer for The Colbert Report), Anthony King (UCBT-NY Artistic Director, Reuben Williams, Gutenberg! The Musical), Laura Krafft (writer for The Colbert Report), Tami Sagher (writer for 30 Rock; writer and producer for Mad TV 2001-2006), and Rob Riggle (correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; Saturday Night Live, The Office).
7:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Magnet instructors & Second City veterans such as Rachel Hamilton, Ed Herbstman, Abby Sher, and Miriam Tolan, plus stars of Mother: The Soundtrack (see below) Jason Mantzoukas, Tara Copeland, James Eason, Christine Walters, plus occasional special guests (such as superstar Mike Meyers), turn a tiny suggestion into larger-than-life improvised scenes.
7:30 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Jason Mantzoukas leads a vibrant team of improv comics—Scot Armstrong, Tara Copeland, Jon Daly, James Eason, Jesse Falcon, Doug Moe, and Christine Walters—who make up scenes based on CD tracks contributed by the audience. One of UCBT's most beloved shows.
9:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
The Harvard Sailing Team: A Hundred Years of Song and Dance
The Harvard Sailing Team, which just won the ECNY Award for Best Sketch Comedy Group,
performs their special brand of fresh, imaginative comedy
that turns familiar rituals on their head. (For a video about awkward goodbyes
at the end of a party, please click here.) The very talented troupe consists of
Rebecca Brey, Jen Curran, Clayton Early, Faryn Einhorn, Katie Larson,
Adam Lustick, Chris Smith, Billy Scafuri, and Sara Taylor.
This new collection of sketches, titled
A Hundred Years of Song and Dance, covers such topics
as Melissa Etheridge, Duck Tales, and American Gladiators.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Reuben Williams: As Seen on TV
Anthony King demonstrates that in addition to running UCBT-NY brilliantly, he's a superb improvisor and actor. Joining him are stellar talents Eugene Cordero, Lennon Parham, Charlie Sanders, Eric Scott, Kate Spencer, Charlie Todd, and Joe Wengert. Together, they interview an audience member, and then use the answers as the basis for a new TV show...which this fiercely talented comedy troupe creates & performs for you on the spot.
10:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Springboarding from a word suggested by the audience,
George Basil, Frank Campanella, Christian Capozzoli, and Matt Evans
perform organic & energetic long-form improv for about 40 minutes.
Basil is a stand-out, but they're all sharp, committed improvisors.
There's also a warm chemistry between the men, which is especially evident
if you arrive early to watch them getting ready on stage: They toss a ball
back and forth, and then toss each other back and forth...sending
a body message of "If you throw an improv concept at me, you can trust me
to not let it drop..." One of the Magnet's most popular shows.
10:30 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Adam Wade; SKP's Stu Luth, Mel DeLancey, and Dan Maccarone; and Drop Six
Random Hookups with Slightly Known People
Slightly Known People—Erik Bowie, Mel DeLancey, Stu Luth,
Dan Maccarone, and Josh Mertz—performs funny songs and sketch comedy.
In this weekly show SKP invites other talented comics
to come play along with it for an evening.
Tonight's superb guests are
Adam Wade (stellar storyteller who's an 8-time StorySLAM champ
and 2006 GrandSLAM champ at The Moth),
Drop Six (ace NYC-based sketch troupe that makes great use of physical comedy,
consisting of Marcus Bonnée, Tim Girrbach, Alicia Levy, Rodney Umble, and director Larry Rosen; awarded Best of the Fest by Second City at the 2006 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival;
and their Drop Six: Mr. Lucky show killed at last year's FringeNYC, placing in my top 15 of the festival—out of 188 wildly diverse & competitive productions),
and sketch/improv troupe Tool of Justice.
For a hilarious SKP video deconstructing Billy Joel, please click here.
For a review of the show, please click here.
10:30 pm at The Green Room, 45 Bleecker Street (off Lafayette); tickets are $12.00
Nearest subway stop is Bleecker Street on the #6 (which brings you virtually to the door of the theatre)
and Broadway-Lafayette on the F/V/D/B.
Rue Brutalia Presents Two Guys and a Finger
Rue Brutalia is comedy duo Jon Pack and Jason Kalter, who create
quirky, unsettling sketches you may have trouble getting out of your head.
To obtain a feel for their odd work, check out a saga about a cartoon character with no balls,
and another about two guys who are the same man, by clicking here and here.
Tonight Jon & Jason are joined by new PIT sketch troupe Finger,
which consists of Mamrie Hart, Grace Helbig, Jenn Hibbs, Matt Hobby,
Yang Miller, Chris Roberti, Mandy Schmieder, Steve Soroka, and Phil Wells.
11:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Cracked Out (above) is the hilarious Jon Daly & Brett Gelman parodying a hip-hop group.
These guys love to shock; for a write-up of their UCBT show in October,
which featured trash gods and giant dildos, please click here.
For samples of the duo's mind-blowing videos, please click here and here;
please check out their album Fleetwood Cracked;
and keep an eye peeled for the TV pilot they recently shot for Comedy Central.
There's no telling what they have planned tonight,
but it's probably worth experiencing.
Midnight at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 4/27/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
UCBT's playground for celebrities and ace improvisors, ASSSSCAT 3000 (7:30 & 9:30 pm),
stand-up comics Sean Patton, Mark Normand, Cassidy Henehan, and Chesslee Calloway
at Timmy Williams' & Sam Brown's free show Scum and Villainy (8:00 pm),
razor-sharp stand-ups Todd Barry, Matt Goldich, and more joining comedy giants Eugene Mirman
and Michael Showalter for their weekly shindig at Brooklyn's Union Hall: Tearing the Veil of Maya (8:00 pm),
the delightful Sara Schaefer testing your musical ear in her free Brooklyn show
featuring prizes and fun, Name That Tune (9:15ish pm).
and Leslie Collins performing what appears to be a charming one-woman show
based on her memories of growing up in Texas: Poteet Girls (9:30 pm).
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre's signature show, which features a monologist telling stories based on audience suggestions and a group of top improvisers (sometimes including stars such as SNL's Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz) creating scenes based on the stories. There are two shows every Sunday which share the same format, but are otherwise entirely different because everything is improvised. The 7:30 pm show is $8; advance tickets might be sold out by the time you read this, but a limited number of seats are available at the door for
those who arrive early enough to nab 'em...and even more tickets are available for those willing to watch the show standing. The 9:30 show is free, with tickets distributed outside the theatre
at 8:15 pm; but again, you may need to come early and wait on line to ensure getting into
this first come, first served performance.
7:30 pm & 9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue)
Timmy Williams and Sam Brown
This free weekly show is hosted by Timmy Williams and Sam Brown, members of popular comedy group The Whitest Kids U' Know (currently starring in a TV show on IFC).
Tonight's guests are
Sean Patton, Mark Normand, Cassidy Henehan, and Chesslee Calloway.
8:00 pm at Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street at Stanton; free
A showcase for talented improvisation twosomes.
Tonight's duos haven't been announced,
but some fine scenes usually arise from this show.
8:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Todd Barry and Eugene Mirman...
...and Matt Goldich and Michael Showalter
If you live in Brooklyn, or simply don't mind going a few subway stops beyond Manhattan,
some of the best funny minds in New York can be found at this weekly show
run by these two comedy giants (winners of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Hosts):
Eugene Mirman (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special,
Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Jump Cuts, HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1,
The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman and En Garde, Society! comedy albums) and
Michael Showalter (Michael Showalter (MTV's seminal sketch show The State, legendary comedy troupe Stella,
writer/director/star of feature film The Baxter, co-writer/co-star of feature film Wet Hot American Summer).
Tonight's wonderful guests include
Todd Barry (wryly brilliant stand-up who's one of the very best in the biz;
Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
Comedy Central Presents; HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Lucky Louie, and Sex in the City;
Comedy Central's Freak Show, Dr. Katz, and Shorties Watching Shorties;
Adult Swim's Space Ghost, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and Tom Goes To The Mayor;
check out his newest comedy CD From Heaven), and
Matt Goldich (lightning-fast stand-up; Comedy Central's Premium Blend, NY1's The Call, contributor to book Bar Mitzvah Disco; for a stand-up sample, please click here).
8:00 pm at Union Hall, 702 Union Street at 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn; tickets are $7
Take the R train to Union Street and walk 1 block east; or take
the F train to 4th Avenue, walk north on 4th Avenue and turn right on Union Street, and go 1 block up;
or take the 2/3/4/5/Q train to Atlantic Avenue, walk south on 5th Avenue, and make a left on Union Street.
Name That Tune with Sara Schaefer
The delightful Sara Schaefer (VH1's Best Week Ever, E! Network's Rise of the Geeks;
UCBT's Video Gaga) hosts this free comedic musical game show in Brooklyn,
complete with silly prizes. Expect fun.
9:15ish pm at Union Hall, 702 Union Street at 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn; free
Take the R train to Union Street and walk 1 block east; or take
the F train to 4th Avenue, walk north on 4th Avenue and turn right on Union Street, and go 1 block up;
or take the 2/3/4/5/Q train to Atlantic Avenue, walk south on 5th Avenue, and make a left on Union Street.
Leslie Collins (VH1's Best Night Ever) performs a one-woman show based on the memorable folks she met growing up in a suburb of Dallas, Texas. Her characters deal with situations ranging from science fair projects clashing with religious beliefs to a "Miss Junior Poteet" beauty contest. BroadwayWorld.com praises Collins' acting, saying her characters are "all handled with a gentle, realistic humor that's very funny while remaining sincere and affectionate." The director is Broadway performer & fellow Texan Erick Devine.
To get a feel for both Collins and the show, please click here.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); free
The Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
Adam Sank (former TV news producer for FOX and WABC-TV; written
for The New York Times, Esquire Magazine, and The San Francisco Sentinel)
hosts this free gay-themed stand-up comedy show.
Tonight's guests are
Giulia Rozzi, Bernadette Pauley, Brian Barry, and Veronica Quinn.
To get a feel for the show, please click here.
10:00 pm at Therapy, 348 West 52nd Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues); free
Alternatively, consider seeing a funny and/or musical
Broadway, off-Broadway, or off-off-Broadway show.
To learn how theatre tickets can be purchased for around 50% off—
or, in some cases, for as little as $3 each—
please read Hy on Theatre Discounts.
Return to Previous NYC Comedy Picks
Copyright © 2008 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
