NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 3/5/10
Two of the funniest people in the universe, Kristen Schaal and Paul Scheer, perform tonight at Whiplash
6:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): The perfect show for short attention spans—open mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours—at John Morrison's Ochi's Motel
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[FREE] 7:30 pm: NYC stand-ups Rachael Parenta, Ray Marshall, Harrison Greenbaum, TJ Del Reno, Hailey Boyle, John Szeluga, and Ben Aflalo performing at a free weekly show in the Manchester Pub hosted by Phoebe Robinson: Case of the Mondays Comedy
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Superb stand-ups Wyatt Cenac (correspondent on The Daily Show), Sean Conroy (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, member of legendary improv troupe The Swarm), Ali Waller (former staff writer for Jimmy Fallon), Jena Friedman (wry dark comedy host of Entertaining the Bartender), and Kevin Barnett, plus musical guest David Lowe, performing in the Lolita Bar at Liam McEneaney's Tell Your Friends
8:00 pm ($5): Two of UCBT's finest house sketch comedy troupes, Stone Cold Fox and Gorilla Gorilla, trying out new bits at Maude Night
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Saturday Night Live cast member Jenny Slate reprising one of the best one-person shows of 2009, which "takes place during my funeral, if I died right now as an eccentric millionaire and left $300 million to my dog," and shows off Jenny's immense sweetness, darkness, and wit, with treasured moments ranging from cheese thrown with deadly force to Jenny's unforgettable pronouncement regarding men and porn; plus the also wonderful Jon Friedman performing a smart & silly one-man show, in the double-bill Dead Millionaire and Bear With Me
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:30 pm ($19.33 online if you use code VIPAPRIL, plus 2-item minimum): A blowout gathering of thoroughly wonderful stand-ups—Kristen Schaal, Ted Alexandro, Reggie Watts, and host Todd Barry—showing they're among the very best in the biz at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Todd Barry and Friends
[FREE] 9:30 pm: NYC stand-ups Jen Grant, Gilad Foss, Jay Bois, Charlie Kasov, Julien Dionne, Kristeen von Hagen, Alex Grubard, and Miguel Dalmau performing at Pat O'Shea's free weekly Brooklyn showcase at Freddy's Backroom: Ed Sullivan on Acid
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest comics in the country—tonight including genius TV & movie stars Kristen Schaal (one of the funniest women alive; shining star correspondent on The Daily Show; co-star of HBO's Flight of the Conchords; Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; AMC's Mad Men; star of UK TV series Penelope: Princess of Pets), Paul Scheer (co-star of FX's The League and MTV's Human Giant), and Sean Conroy (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, member of legendary improv troupe The Swarm)—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central) at Whiplash
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 3/6/10
Stars Amy Schumer and Ted Alexandro will entertain you tonight at A Very Good Comedy Show...
...and improv geniuses Neil Casey and Anthony Atamanuik close out Harold Night with The Two-Man Movie
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Witty writers offering delightfully silly lectures about "Homespun and Handmade" (e.g., Consider the Knish, Winners Never Quilt and Quilters Never Win, The Craft Heap of History) at Charles Star's Brooklyn comedic show Adult Education
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): A sneak preview of this coming weekend's Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art Festival, plus super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Carla Rhodes (alt comedy ventriloquist; Dr. Demento), Rachael Parenta, Raquel D'apice, Chris Doucette, and Wil Sylvince performing at Cellar 58 (58 Second Avenue) alongside delightful host Abbi Crutchfield and comedic rapster Andrew Singer: Positively Awesome
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm to midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Robber Baron, DeCoster, Badman, Bastian, and Ragnaröck; and at 11:00 pm a show with superb troupes The Two-Man Movie (Neil Casey & Anthony Atamanuik make up an entire feature film) The Law Firm: The People's Court—all at Harold Night
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm (reservations required by emailing ditchcomedybond@gmail.com): Star stand-ups Ted Alexandro (David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials), Amy Schumer (Comedy Central Presents, Last Comic Standing, Jimmy Fallon), Andrea Rosen (Comedy Central's Michael and Michael Have Issues, Stella, Variety SHAC), and Nore Davis performing at Brooklyn's Building on Bond for a free stand-up show hosted by Yannis Pappas: A Very Good Comedy Show
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm ($5): Baron Vaughn (co-star of USA's Facing Kate and Comedy Central's Awkward Kings of Comedy; MTV, VH1), Joe Mande (Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Totally J/K; author of new book Look at This F*cking Hipster), Keith Alberstadt (David Letterman, contributor to SNL's Weekend Update), Dave Siegel (Atom TV, Sirius Radio) and sketch duo Team Submarine performing at the Housingworks Bookstore Cafe for a free weekly show hosted by brilliant stand-up Pete Holmes (Comedy Central Presents, The Daily Show, John Oliver and Friends, VH1's Best Week Ever, The New Yorker) and razor-sharp Joe DeRosa (Comedy Central, Carson Daly, Insomniac Tour; for stand-up video about why Joe hates weddings, please click here): Punch Up Your Life
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Comedy stars Baron Vaughn (co-star of USA's Facing Kate and Comedy Central's Awkward Kings of Comedy, MTV, VH1), Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson on Parks & Recreation), Josh Fadem (LA comedy star; 30 Rock, Reno 911, Weeds), and "a very special DJ/co-host" performing at The Slipper Room for the LES weekly show hosted by the wonderful Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet
9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Stellar storyteller Margot Leitman (Conan O'Brien, Stripped Stories) and stand-ups Troy Bynum, Jeff Lutz, and Harvey Weissman telling tales about their first time doing something (subject is up to them) performing in Ochi's Lounge at Evan Morgenstern's SNC: The Virgin Chronicles
9:30 pm ($5): "Where there is a stage and a piano, she will be there. Where there are strangers with embarrassing stories, she will be there. Where there is a group of people willing to sit and watch someone make up songs, she will be there. A one-woman musical improv journey through the lives of the audience. You tell the story, Rebecca Vigil sings the soundtrack:" The Vigilante
[FREE] 11:00 pm: Free open mic stand-up show that's seldom much fun for audience members but is a nice opportunity if you want 4-5 minutes to test out your comedy material on stage: Bring It
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 3/7/10
Catch two of the greatest comics of all time, Kristen Schaal and Anthony Jeselnik, at Big Terrific...
...or acclaimed one-man shows at UCBT from Nick Vatterott (No Outlet) and Ryan Paulson (I'm Uncomfortable)...
...or thoroughly wonderful comics & storytellers Eugene Mirman, Faye Lane, and Leo Allen at ¡Sacapuntas!
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 6:00 pm (reservations highly recommended by calling 212.563.7488): Outrageous stand-up genius Sean Patton teams with the fearlessly funny troupe that won this year's ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group in the free show Murderfist: Chaos Reigns
[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): Acclaimed Chicago stand-up comic Nick Vatterott performs a show that's too theatrical for comedy clubs and too joke-laden for the theatre crowd. Nonetheless, Time Out Chicago called it a "Don't Miss," adding "There are no breaks, no visual aids, and no opening acts— just Nick Vatterott on stage for 45 minutes and you'll laugh the entire time."Come find out how Nick has won this and other accolades when his show's unusual format might seem to provide it No Outlet
[FREE] 7:00 pm to midnight: Five free hours of improvisation in The PIT's Super Free Wednesday
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($7): Wonderful storyteller Faye Lane, and stand-up giants Eugene Mirman, Leo Allen, Hari Kondabolu, and guest-host Patrick Borelli at Dan Allen's & Ray Devito's monthly comedy event ¡Sacapuntas!
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): From a comic Time Out New York says delivers "categorically pitch- perfect one-man comedy" comes this one-man show: "When Ryan Paulson moved to New York City he was a husky boy. And he’d never had sex. Even with himself. How did this happen? Well, he grew up speaking in tongues in an ultra-conservative, fundamentalist church. But now he’s taking a crash course in sex, alcohol and self-pleasure. And it’s going pretty well...other than regularly being condemned to hell on MySpace:" Ryan Paulson: I'm Uncomfortable
[FREE] 8:30: Unique and memorable women stand-ups Claudia Cogan, Desiree Burch, and Katina Corrao, plus Anthony DeVito, Greg Leitman, Andy Hendrickson, and Boris Khaykin, performing at this free weekly show hosted by Sharon Spell: Shrink
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm: A blowout amazing show with some of the funniest comics alive: TV & movie star Kristen Schaal (shining star correspondent on The Daily Show; co-star of HBO's Flight of the Conchords; Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; AMC's Mad Men; star of UK TV series Penelope: Princess of Pets), stand-up genius Anthony Jeselnik (writer for Jimmy Fallon; Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central Presents), Andrea Rosen (Comedy Central's Michael & Michael Have Issues, Stella, Variety SHAC), Craig Baldo (Conan O'Brien), and James Patterson (Comedy Central) performing at this free weekly comedy show at Brooklyn's Cameo (behind Lovin' Cup) hosted by Gabe Liedman and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Theatrical scenes made up on the spot with breathtaking skill by brilliant and passionate improvisors who are becoming one of the best comedy duos in the biz—Scott Adsit (30 Rock, Moral Orel) and Christina Gausas (Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report), a.k.a. Adsit & Gausas
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Host Justin Purnell (The Colbert Report) providing as many as a dozen guests packed into 75 minutes performing stand-up, improv, sketch, 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; and this is often one of the most amazing comedy shows in town. Come support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises, that this uniquely organic rollercoaster of a show makes possible—and don't forget to toss $1 in the bucket on your way out: School Night
NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 4/8/10
A comedy giant who blends stand-up with storytelling performs new material tonight through Saturday at Carolines: Mike Birbiglia
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $12 marked with $) include:
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[TOP PICK] [$] 7:00 pm ($15): Top comics and comedic storytellers—who tonight are Leo Allen (former writer for Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central Presents, Conan O'Brien, HBO's Funny or Die, host of top NYC comedy show Whiplash), Sara Schaefer (brilliant, inventive, luminous comic; staff writer for Jimmy Fallon; VH1's Best Week Ever), Aasif Mandvi (correspondent for The Daily Show), Carolyn Castiglia (VH1's The White Rapper), and Joey Hood—joining brilliant sketch comic and storyteller Kevin Allison (The State) to share tales on tonight's theme "Regrets: If I Could Take It Back" at one of the finest storytelling shows in the country: Risk!
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): A wonderful storyteller and stand-up (Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime) focuses on the latter tonight as she headlines at the Axis Theatre: Ophira Eisenberg
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 7:30 pm ($19.33 online if you use code VIPAPRIL, plus 2-item minimum): Baron Vaughn (red-hot rising star; co-star of USA's Facing Kate and Comedy Central's Awkward Kings of Comedy; MTV, VH1) and Hari Kondabolu (Comedy Central's John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show, Jimmy Kimmel) share the headlining spotlight at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: An Evening with Baron Vaughn & Hari Kondabolu
7:30 pm ($5): Sharp improvisors directed by James Eason "take an audience suggestion and break it into a million funny pieces," and veteran improvisors play with "elements of monoscene, deconstruction, and La Ronde," in the double-bill The Deconstruction and Sleepover
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): The Emmy-winning writers of The Colbert Report gather on stage to perform an all-improvised show at Seize the Mustard
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($42 plus 2-drink minimum): One of the finest stand-ups and comedic storytellers alive performs new material tonight through Saturday at Carolines: Mike Birbiglia
8:00 pm ($5): Delightful stand-ups Amy Beckerman and Leah Dubie (Dykes on Mics) performing as comedy duo Duberman
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($12): Superb stand-ups Ted Alexandro, Ali Wong, Dan Allen, Nick Offerman, and Brent Sullivan performing at 92Y Tribeca: Comedy Below Canal
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:30 pm ($19.33 online if you use code VIPAPRIL, plus 2-item minimum):Rory Albanese (Executive Producer of The Daily Show; recently aired fine Comedy Central Presents half-hour special) and Rachel Feinstein (hilarious stand-up; Comedy Central; opens for Sarah Silverman on tour) share the headlining spotlight at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: An Evening with Rachel Feinstein and Rory Albanese
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): At this month's edition of NYC's best show of comedic sexual tales, the theme is Reunions; and the storytellers are Becky Flaum, Rob Gorden, and sensual hosts Margot Leitman & Giulia Rozzi—plus fun raunchy songs from the brilliant Shayna Ferm—all at Stripped Stories
[$] 10:00 pm ($31.25 & 2-drink min.) A provocative comedy star who's written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle's Show and David Letterman, headlining through Sunday at Carolines: Paul Mooney
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Vibrant improv troupes Reuben Williams and The Fritz compete for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match
NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 4/9/10
Mike Birbiglia (Headlining at Carolines) and members of sketch troupe Elephant Larry
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($43.75 plus 2-drink minimum): One of the finest stand-ups and comedic storytellers alive performs new material tonight through Saturday at Carolines: Mike Birbiglia
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10):Two of the funniest and most loveable sketch comics alive, Katherine Bryant and Chris O'Connor (half of sketch troupe Fearsome) team up with also hilarious sketch comics Mike Still (sketch troupe A Week of Kindness) and John Phillips (sketch troupe Trophy Dad) to perform a comedic play about a college buddy returning after 10 years to ruin his friend's life; and Deborah Gross recreates absurd and amusing conversations she's experienced through her sharp storyteller's perspective,in the double-bill Mace Bacon: The Worst Guy Ever and Conversations with Deb
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): A groundbreaking and surreal improv/sketch troupe performing with new guests each Friday and making a valid complaint: Centralia: We Were Supposed To Have Flying Cars By Now
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers
9:30 pm ($10): A beloved high-concept sketch troupe that delights in exploring silly ideas and wordplay (for example, demonstrating that a caveman and the Cookie Monster sound remarkably alike when saying such things as "Me have problem with subject/verb placement...") debuts an all-new show: Elephant Larry
10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Top UCBT talents—tonight featuring Paul W. Downs, Sue Galloway, Jon Gabrus, Ryan Karels, Tim Martin, and Andrée Vermeulen as the performers, and Adam Conover, John Frusciante, Kevin Hines, Anthony King, Craig Rowin, Jim Santangeli, Nate Smith, Gavin Speiller, Erik Tanouye, Caitlin Tegart, and Greg Tuculescu as the writers—creating a one-night-only sketch comedy show directed by comedy genius Gavin Speiller, with musical guest Ward White: Beneath Gristedes
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 12:20ish am: My favorite open mic stand-up show, where odd things involving drunk audience members tend to happen at it heads towards 2:00 am, hosted by brilliant & lightning-quick Pete Holmes (one of the very best stand-ups in the country; Comedy Central Presents, The Daily Show, VH1's Best Week Ever, The New Yorker, host of Punch Up Your Life): Gutbucket
[$] 12:30 am ($31.25 & 2-drink min.) A provocative comedy star who's written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle's Show and David Letterman, headlining through Sunday at Carolines: Paul Mooney
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 4/10/10
Sketch rules tonight, with such great troupes as Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting and The Harvard Sailing Team...
...and Murderfist, and The Same Sex-Tacular
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($10): Comedy duo Leah Rudick & Katie Hartman, whose production at last August's Edinburgh Fringe Festival was proclaimed "biggest revelation" by the Guardian, performing a new sketch show: Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisor Christina Gausas and friends she originally made in Chicago—which include writers & performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show—plus a rotating cast of stellar visitors, all joyously declaring Let's Have a Ball
7:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): NY stand-ups (who, unusually, haven't been announced this week) performing in Ochi's Lounge at Sean Donnelly's Lil' Seany Boy
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($43.75 plus 2-drink minimum): One of the finest stand-ups and comedic storytellers alive performs new material tonight at Carolines: Mike Birbiglia
8:00 pm ($5): Will Nunziata and Jerry Miller performing a two-man sketch show designed as a love letter to the dystopian films of the 70s, 80s, and 90s:" Dystopia Gardens
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—and the Cage Match Champion for two years in a row!—genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo
9:00 pm ($5): Organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track!
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Always fresh and imaginative world-class sketch troupe that uses song, movement, and clever scenarios to turn familiar rituals on their head (for a video about awkward goodbyes at the end of a party, please click here): The Harvard Sailing Team
[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer
[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King: Reuben Williams
10:30 pm ($5): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney (Statues of Liberty) and Leslie Korein as comedy trio Trike
[TOP PICK] 11:00 ($8): NYC's heavy metal version of a sketch troupe, which doesn't always ht the mark but provides odd, unsettling, and fearless dark comedy—and recently won this year's ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group: Murderfist: Late and Dirty
[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): "The most fabulous show on Earth," hosted by Tim Gunn (John Flynn) and Tim Gunn (Michael Hartney), featuring such superb comedic performers (both straight and gay) as Bern Lerman, Stephen Guarin, Sue Galloway, Leslie Meisel, and Katie Schorr, plus two audience members who'll be selected to compete in a design challenge, at The Same Sex-Tacular
[$] 12:30 am ($31.25 & 2-drink min.) A provocative comedy star who's written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle's Show and David Letterman, headlining through Sunday at Carolines: Paul Mooney
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 4/11/10
Catch a sneak preview of the new season of The Big Gay Sketch Show tonight at Therapy
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10) and 9:30 pm [FREE]: UCBT's signature improv comedy extravaganza, which typically includes stars in the improv world, and sometimes even TV & movie stars such as Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz: ASSSCAT 3000
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($7): Hilarious alternative comic Jon Glaser (long-time writer & sketch performer for Conan O'Brien, voiceover actor for Comedy Central and Adult Swim, star of Delocated), Ken Reid, and more performing at Brooklyn's Union Hall hosted by comedy giant Eugene Mirman: Tearing the Veil of Maya
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Red-hot Baron Vaughn (co-star of USA's Facing Kate and Comedy Central's just-aired The Awkward Comedy Show, MTV, VH1), plus Jason Good, Peyton Clarkson, H. Alan Scott, JC Coccoli, and Arthur Carlson performing at RG Daniels' free weekly show at the Three of Cups East Village lounge: Sunday Night Stand-Up
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Comedy giants Anthony Jeselnik and Amy Schumer, plus Lee Camp. Phoebe Robinson, and Trey Galyon, performing at Brooklyn's Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan) hosted by the wonderful Hannibal Buress: Comedy Night
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Logo TV presenting a sneak peek at Therapy of the first episode of the upcoming new season of The Big Gay Sketch Show
[FREE] 9:00 pm: Sharp stand-ups Barry Rothbart, Chris Wilkes, Matt Ruby, and Jc Coccoli performing in the East Village's Beauty Bar at Vince Averill's & Jesse Popp's free weekly show Beauty Bar Comedy
[FREE] 10:00 pm: Gloria Bigalow (Dykes on Mics), Mike Trainor (TruTV’s The Smoking Gun), and "a super surprise headliner" performing at a free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
Copyright © 2010 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
