NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 12/22/08
Brilliant comics Janeane Garofalo (Whiplash) and Jessi Klein (Entertaining the Bartender)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
the perfect show for short attention spans—open mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set
and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours, tonight including Livia Scott, Emily Epstein,
RG Daniels, Chelsea White, Josh Comers, Matt Ruby, Blaine Perry, Sean Donnelly,
and Aalap Patel—at John Morrison's Ochi's Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] star stand-ups Jessi Klein (Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN), Jon Fisch (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), and more at a free weekly comedy show in Brooklyn hosted by the razor-sharp Jena Friedman: Entertaining the Bartender (8:30 pm),
holiday-themed sketch comedy by UCBT students at O Holy Maude Night (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and a free weekly show featuring some of the finest comics in the country—with tonight's gala blowout including Janeane Garofalo (movie, TV, and stand-up comedy superstar), plus now-LA residents visiting for the holidays Matt Braunger (cast member of Mad TV), Brett Gelman (Comedy Central), and Sean Conroy (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central)—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central) at Whiplash (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 25 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.
There are two shows, at 6:30 and 9:00 pm (with entirely different sets of comics).
Tonight's 6:30 lineup includes fine stand-ups Livia Scott, Emily Epstein, RG Daniels, Gary Vider, Josh Comers, Matt Ruby, Gilad Foss, Mike Lawrence, Mick Diflo, Peggy O'Brien, Hilary Schwartz, Phoebe Robinson, Laura Spaeth, Blaine Perry, and Sean Donnelly.
And the 9:00 pm show includes talents Jon Bander, Chelsea White, Chris Conway, Phil O'Reilly, Mike Recine, Natasha Yudelevich, Dave Celestian, and Aalap Patel.
Ochi's Motel is hosted at 6:30 by Sean Donnelly and Blaine Perry:
...and at 9:00 pm by Aalap Patel and Matteson Perry:
To be entered into the weekly random drawing for performers,
please send email to ochismotel@gmail.com.
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 (e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Ringo Starr's 17th Annual Christmas Special
It's that time of year...when UCBT-NY puts on its unique mix of sketch, improv, and celebrity impersonation-based comedy. The official description:
"Ringo Starr is going to have a great Christmas special, whether he likes it or not. With a little help from Santa and his celebrity friends, Ringo's special will have everything you need to celebrate the season: music, laughs, and a surprise ending that's sure to fill you with the Christmas Spirit!" Starring Pat Baer, Aaron Glaser, and many more UCBT performers.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Jon Fisch, Jena Friedman, and Jessi Klein
Entertaining the Bartender with Jena Friedman
Razor-sharp and delightfully dark stand-up comic Jena Friedman (playwright of 2008 FringeNYC show Refugee Girls; for a stand-up video about sexual predators, eggs, and Tai food, please click here) hosts this entirely free weekly comedy show in Brooklyn. This is actually a version of an acclaimed show Jena used to do in a Chicago bar run by a gal named Tammy. When the bar started out it was often near-empty, so Jena began the show to entertain her friend and develop steady traffic. On both counts, it was a wild success...
Tonight's superb guests are
Jessi Klein (deliciously honest, brilliant, hilarious stand-up star; Rolling Stones' comedy
"Hot List;" Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn;
VH1's Best Week Ever; NBC's The Today Show; CNN; The Showbiz Show with David Spade;
voice of Lucy on Adult Swim's Lucy the Daughter of the Devil;
for a video stand-up sample about which celebrity would save
the most Jews, and on email etiquette, please click here and here),
Jon Fisch (Last Comic Standing 4, nabbing Audience Favorite award; Comedy Central),
Danny Lobell (interviewer of such comedy giants as George Carlin on radio show The Comical Radio), and
Lucas Held (co-host of biweekly NYC live comedy show Her Majesty's Stand-Up; writes popular blog The Most Famous Dolphin), and
musical guest Perfuma.
8:30 pm at Sound Fix Records, 110 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg Brooklyn; free
Take the L subway to Bedford Avenue and walk four blocks to N 11th Street
Writers, performers, and directors, most of whom are students at UCBT,
try out their sketch comedy routines. Tonight features all four UCBT house groups
performing holiday and favorite bits:
mixtape '98, 27 Kidneys, The Skuntz, and Stone Cold Fox.
Some of the material will probably be very funny.
And a lot of it probably won't.
But if you enjoy the raw energy of young artists trying out sketches,
come and support tonight's experiments, live on stage.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Leo Allen and Janeane Garofalo...
<
...Brett Gelman and Sean Conroy, and more at tonight's gala holiday edition of
Whiplash with Leo Allen: The Finest in Stand-Up Comedy, Free
Leo Allen is one of the most sharp, honest, and likeable stand-ups working in NYC. Leo was a writer for Saturday Night Live from 2002 through 2005. He's also performed two Comedy Central Presents 1/2-hour specials (one by himself and one with his writing partner Eric Slovin); done stand-up on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.; and acted on Ed and Sex and the City. Leo has now taken over the Monday-at-11:00 pm UCBT spot made super-special by Aziz Ansari's Crash Test and Jeremy Levenbach's Cavalcade! (in fact, Whiplash is produced by Jeremy).
Visiting from LA for the holidays are tonight's thoroughly wonderful guests:
Janeane Garofalo (quite simply, one of the most influential, and hilarious, comics
of our time; most recently co-host of The Majority Report on Air America Radio and co-star of the upcoming season of FOX's hit series 24; sample quote: "I guess I just prefer to see the dark side of things. The glass is always half empty. And cracked. And I just cut my lip on it. And chipped a tooth."; for two decades of impressive credits, please click here),
Brett Gelman (comedic chameleon who's currently ubiquitous as the Little Bit of Luck guy in New York Lottery ads; numerous credits include Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report, and ace improv troupe Death by Roo Roo; host of delightful weekly NYC live comedy show Gelmania, which just wrapped due to Brett moving to work in LA; for an interview, please click here; for samples of Brett's mind-blowing work with partner Jon Daly, please click here and here; please also explore their hip-hop parody album Fleetwood Cracked...and keep an eye out for their Cracked Out pilot for Comedy Central),
Sean Conroy (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, legendary improv group The Swarm), and
Matt Braunger (cast member of Mad TV; for sample stand-up video, please click here).
If you love comedy, make a habit of attending this stellar free weekly extravaganza.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 12/23/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
the perfect show for short attention spans—open mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set
and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours, who tonight include Livia Scott, Emily Epstein, Laura Spaeth,
Peggy O'Brien, Chris Conway, and John Morrison—at John Morrison's Broadway Motel (6:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] stellar comedic singer/songwriter Ben Lerman, plus guests including hilariously raunchy
singer/songwriter Jessica Delfino, presenting "a non-denominational holiday show for people
who believe in laughter" in Lerman Holiday (8:00 pm),
three full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes
The Scam, Bangs, The F*cking Kennedys, Bastian, and DeCoster—at Harold Night (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] and superb comics Tom Shillue, Sean Conroy, Matt Higgins, and Ross Hyzer
at the wonderful Seth Herzog's Sweet (9:00 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, Broadway's one-item food or drink minimum applies to everyone.)
A breathtaking 25 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.
Tonight's lineup includes talents Livia Scott, Emily Epstein, Laura Spaeth, Peggy O'Brien, Chris Conway, Mike Lawrence, Phil O'Reilly, Michael saperstein, Hernando Pardo, Alex Schaefer, and John Morrison.
Broadway Motel is hosted by Cory Jarvis and Doug Adler.
To be entered into the weekly random drawing for performers,
please send email to motelme@gmail.com.
6:00 pm at Broadway Comedy Club, 318 West 53rd Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
$5 cover plus one-item food or drink minimum
Ben Lerman is a superb comedic singer/songwriter who plays the ukulele. Tonight he creates "a non-denominational holiday show for people who believe in laughter."
Ben is a regular on Sirius Radio, has performed on gay network HereTV, and tours nationally "with an expansive catalogue of songs that will warm the heart and tickle the funny bone." He's also a witty and energetic comic, and recommended.
Tonight's stellar guests include Jessica Delfino.
Please Note: You can save $5 on the $20 cover (i.e., pay $15 per ticket)
by ordering online with discount code HyReviews.
Please also note there's a two-item minimum;
with tax & tip, figure on spending an additional $13 or up.
8:00 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
tickets are $15 if you order online using discount code HyReviews
The Harold is longform improv, pioneered by Del Close.
Tonight, five improv troupes—
The Scam, Bangs, The F*cking Kennedys, Bastian, and DeCoster—
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.
8:00-11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Seth Herzog, Tom Shillue, and Ross Hyzer
Hosted by the razor-sharp, dynamic, and hilarious Seth Herzog (VH1's Best Week Ever).
Seth is one of the finest hosts around—and this is one of the best comedy shows in NYC.
Tonight's superb guests include
Tom Shillue (Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; storytelling podcasts; host of acclaimed NYC monthly comedy show Moonwork; comedy CD Overconfident!; for stand-up samples, please click here and here),
Sean Conroy (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, legendary improv group The Swarm),
Matt Higgins (Comedy Central, PSNBC; former improv instructor at Yale School of Drama; also founding member of improv troupe Burn Manhattan; three-time finalist for the Andy Kaufman award; member of acclaimed improv troupe Centralia; for a stand-up sample, please click here), and
Ross Hyzer (host of NYC live extravaganza County Fair Comedy Show;
for stand-up videos, please click here and here).
9:00 pm at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street (corner of Stanton Street); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 12/24/08
The recommendation for the best in New York City comedy on Christmas Eve is
[TOP PICK] The Chosen Chicks declaring "Faster, Pussycat! Kvetch! Kvetch!" as they put on
a show for those without Christmas trees: Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad (7:00 pm & 9:30 pm).
If you aren't going to have a traditional Christmas Eve, why not spend it laughing with "chosen chicks" whose motto is Faster, Pussycat! Kvetch! Kvetch! The official description:
"Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad are going get jew, sucka. These badass balabustehs of comedy, music and show-stopping burlesque are coming to Comix for their 6th annual Xmas Eve bash. These are the gals who learned to smoke at Hebrew School, got drunk at their Bat-Mitzvahs, and would rather have more schtuppa than the chupah, featuring performers seen on Comedy Central, HBO, and Late Night TV. These chosen chicks boldly dare to deconstruct years of tradition, expectations, and guilt in a fast-paced vaudeville extravaganza. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen gets remixed, dreidals tap dance, and we all find out what’s in gefilte fish (Fear Factor for Jews).
"Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad has been spreading their own brand of nuevo schmaltz across the land to sold-out crowds in NYC, DC, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, Providence, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Pittsburgh, Madison, Detroit, Montreal, Burlington, Provincetown, The Berkshires, The Hamptons, and, of course, The Catskills. Audiences can’t get enough of these wayward girls!"
Please Note: You can save $5 on the $20 cover (i.e., pay $15 per ticket)
by ordering online with discount code HyReviews.
Please also note there's a two-item minimum;
with tax & tip, figure on spending an additional $13 or up.
7:00 pm & 9:30 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
tickets are $15 if you order online using discount code HyReviews
NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 12/25/08
There are no NYC comedy recommendations for Christmas;
all the usual suspects are closed.
But please tune in here again on Friday for the resumption of top comedy picks.
Meanwhile, hope you enjoy thoroughly happy holidays.
Warmest regards,
Hy
I've no comedy picks to offer for Christmas; but 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 $3.50 each—
please read Hy on Theatre Discounts.
And one more thing:
For details, please click here.
Wishing you very warm and joyous holidays.—Hy
NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 12/26/08
Legendary improv troupe The Swarm, and star stand-up Patrice Oneal
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
[TOP PICK] a TV and movie comedy star who frequently appears on HBO, Comedy Central, and Showtime,
and is a hilarious comedy club veteran: Patrice Oneal Headlining at Comix (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] a celebration of the festival of lights from a world-class improv/sketch troupe,
complete with latkes, prizes, and "Chanookka Harry:" Hanukkah with Hot Sauce! (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and a rare performance from one of the most brilliant, hilarious, and revered comedy troupes
in improv history—the legendary members of The Swarm (11:00 pm).
Patrice Oneal got his start at a place called Estelle's in Boston. He was heckling a comic, and the comic suggested maybe Patrice thought he could do better. Patrice did; and the following week he went on stage at Estelle's and brought down the house. From there he went on to work at the Comedy Connection, then moved to working at most of the clubs in and around Boston, New England, and New York.
Patrice has a wide range of comic tools. In one bit, Patrice, at 6'5'' and 300+ lbs., makes the audience hear and almost see the story of the eastern European gymnast quietly speaking of her difficult upbringing and training. The Boston Globe wrote, "It is a hilarious piece made all the more so by the contradiction between Oneal's very visible presence and that of the young white girl he is playing."
Patrice has done half-hour comedy specials for HBO, Comedy Central, and Showtime; was a regular on Comedy Central's Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn; and was a cast member on FOX's The Jury. He's also performed repeatedly on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs and HBO Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen; and has guest starred on such TV shows as NBC's The Office and FOX's Arrested Development.
Further, Patrice has acted in such hit movies as The 25th Hour, In the Cut, and Head of State.
Asked to whom he aspires, Patrice Oneal mentions only two names: George Carlin and Richard Pryor. Carlin for his distinct point of view and universal appeal; Pryor for his honesty, vulnerability and personal revelation.
This show is highly recommended.
Please Note: You can save $5 off the $35 cover tonight or $30 cover before day of show on Saturday (i.e., pay $30 or $25 per ticket) by ordering online with discount code HyReviews.
Please also note there's also a two-item minimum;
with tax & tip, figure on spending an additional $13 or up.
Tonight & Saturday at 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between
8th & 9th Avenues); $30 per ticket tonight or $25 for Saturday
if you order online today using discount code HyReviews
Gil Ozeri, Ben Schwartz, and Adam Pally, the brilliant members of Hot Sauce
Celebrate the festival of lights with sharp-witted & lightning-quick comedy troupe
Hot Sauce, winner of the 2006 Cage Match Improv Championship. The trio consists of
Gil Ozeri (SNL; animator and creator of Team Gibba),
Adam Pally (written for ABC; performed for MTV, Comedy Central,
UCBT's The Nights of Our Lives), and
Ben Schwartz (freelance writer for SNL's Weekend Update and
Late Show's David Letterman monologues;
staff writer for Adult Swim's wonderful Robot Chicken;
short filmmaker for SuperDeluxe.com; co-author of upcoming humor
postcard book Grandma's Dead: Breaking Bad News with Baby Animals).
For video samples of these talented guys' work, please click here and here.
The official description of tonight's show promises "We're going to make real latkes and hand out real gifts...We'll make you laugh, we'll make you cry, we'll make you light some mother f*cking candles!...Featuring tons of special guests and if we are lucky enough—A VISIT FROM CHANOOKKA HARRY HIMSELF!"
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10
Back: Will Hines, Zach Woods, Michael Delaney, and Bobby Moynihan
Front: Chris Gethard, Shannon O'Neill, and Silvija Ozols
Some of the smartest & finest improv comics in NYC—Michael Delaney,
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 $10
Billy Merritt, Andy Secunda, and Michael Delaney...
...and Dave Blumenfeld and Sean Conroy
One of the quickest, smartest, and funniest groups in comedy history
is legendary NYC improv troupe The Swarm, consisting of
Dave Blumenfeld, Sean Conroy, Michael Delaney, Billy Merritt and Andy Secunda.
Each of these guys is a comedy genius...and among the most talented and experienced improvisers alive. And since Dave, Sean, and Billy now reside in LA pursuing writing/performing careers, it's an rare and extra-special treat to get to see these amazing talents—who are visiting NYC for the holidays—performing together on the UCBT-NY stage.
Don't miss what promises to be a highly memorable show.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 12/27/08
Brilliant comics Chris Gethard (Magic Box of Stories), Patrice Oneal, and Ophira Eisenberg (The Liar Show)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
four sharp storytellers trying to mislead the audience at Andy Christie's The Liar Show (6:00 pm),
acclaimed comic Matt Higgins (Comedy Central), plus Jason Kalter (Rue Brutalia) and Chris Manley (New Exc!tement), each performing his favorite one-man sketch routines in Flyin' Solo (7:00 pm),
[MEGA-TOP PICK] one of the most razor-sharp and uproariously funny storytellers in the country performing this extraordinary new one-man show that should not be missed: Chris Gethard's Magic Box of Stories (7:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] a TV and movie comedy star who frequently appears on HBO, Comedy Central, and Showtime,
and is a hilarious comedy club veteran: Patrice Oneal Headlining at Comix (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] one of my all-time favorite improv troupes—which this season broke the Cage Match record
for winning streaks with 18 triumphs in a row, and has now taken over UCBT's prestigious prime-time
Saturday night slot—the brilliant and daring members of Death by Roo Roo (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] improvised TV shows about audience members via world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced
theatrical comedy show at The Complete Performer (10:30 pm),
and a comedy game show about life and trivia: Are You Paying Attention? (midnight).
Four funny people tell amazing stories. Three of the tales are absolutely true...but one of them is a pack of lies. The audience then asks questions to try and identify the fibber. Hosted by Andy Christie (The New York Times).
Tonight's stellar yarn-spinners are
Dave Dickerson (NPR's This American Life contributor; author of book House of Cards),
Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, VH1's Best Week Ever),
Jim O'Grady (The New York Times, 2008 Moth GrandSlam Champion), and
Andy Christie (The New York Times, 2007 Moth GrandSlam Champion, author of book I Wasn't Kidding).
The Liar Show was a smash hit at this August's Edinburgh Festival, and is recommended.
To reserve tickets, please call (212) 989-9319.
6:00 pm at Cornelia Street Cafe, 29 Cornelia Street (between West 4th Street and Bleecker);
tickets are $12, which includes one house drink
Matt Higgins and More: Flyin' Solo
Matt Higgins (above) has appeared on Comedy Central and PSNBC; is a former improv instructor at the Yale School of Drama, and founding member of improv troupe Burn Manhattan; is a three-time finalist for the Andy Kaufman award; and is currently a member of acclaimed improv troupe Centralia. (For a stand-up sample, please click here.) Tonight Matt will perform some of his best solo sketch comedy material.
Also performing solo tonight will be Jason Kalter (half of sketch duo Rue Brutalia), and Chris Manley (member of improv/clown troupe New Exc!tement).
7:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
Brilliant comedic storyteller Chris Gethard will shower us tonight with his magically hilarious tales
Chris Gethard's Magic Box of Stories
Chris Gethard is one of the most talented and brilliant storytellers and improvisors in New York. Chris can be seen every Friday night as a member of ace improv group The Stepfathers, and every month as a member of the razor-sharp storytelling show the The Nights of Our Lives. Chris is also the author of the book Weird New York.
And tonight Chris lets his storytelling prowess fully shine as he asks audience members to pick story titles out of a box filled with his wondrous, unforgettable, and jaw-droppingly funny tales. Since Chris has many more tales in the box than can be told during this 90-minute slot, every performance is fresh and unique.
Come catch this rising star demonstrate why he should be famous in a show that gets my highest recommendation.
7:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10
Patrice Oneal got his start at a place called Estelle's in Boston. He was heckling a comic, and the comic suggested maybe Patrice thought he could do better. Patrice did; and the following week he went on stage at Estelle's and brought down the house. From there he went on to work at the Comedy Connection, then moved to working at most of the clubs in and around Boston, New England, and New York.
Patrice has a wide range of comic tools. In one bit, Patrice, at 6'5'' and 300+ lbs., makes the audience hear and almost see the story of the eastern European gymnast quietly speaking of her difficult upbringing and training. The Boston Globe wrote, "It is a hilarious piece made all the more so by the contradiction between Oneal's very visible presence and that of the young white girl he is playing."
Patrice has done half-hour comedy specials for HBO, Comedy Central, and Showtime; was a regular on Comedy Central's Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn; and was a cast member on FOX's The Jury. He's also performed repeatedly on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs and HBO Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen; and has guest starred on such TV shows as NBC's The Office and FOX's Arrested Development.
Further, Patrice has acted in such hit movies as The 25th Hour, In the Cut, and Head of State.
Asked to whom he aspires, Patrice Oneal mentions only two names: George Carlin and Richard Pryor. Carlin for his distinct point of view and universal appeal; Pryor for his honesty, vulnerability and personal revelation.
This show is highly recommended.
Please Note: You can save $5 off the $35 cover (i.e., pay $30 per ticket)
by ordering online with discount code HyReviews.
Please also note there's a two-item minimum;
with tax & tip, figure on spending an additional $13 or up.
8:00 pm & 10:30 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
$30 per ticket if you order online today using discount code HyReviews
Death by Roo Roo: Your F*cked Up Family
Arguably the gutsiest improv troupe in NYC, and unquestionably among the finest groups in improv history, the brilliant comics of Death by Roo Roo—Anthony Atamanuik, Liz Cackowski, Neil Casey, John Gemberling, Curtis Gwinn, Adam Pally, and Gavin Speiller—interview an audience member about family and then act out his or her life story
via improvised scenes. Always razor-sharp, sometimes scary, and usually hilarious.
9:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10
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 $10
Ted Greenberg: The Complete Performer
It would be hard to go wrong with a show from Ted Greenberg, the Emmy Award winning writer for seven seasons of Late Night with David Letterman. So it's not surprising this 30-minute act was a hit at this year's FringeNYC, often selling out performances.
The Complete Performer is a parody of typical NYC acts in small venues—improv, mind reading, card tricks, playing with the audience. It's essentially a comedy club act, but with gags in place of standard jokes. (If you're okay with having surprises spoiled, you can get a feel for Ted's approach by clicking here.)
Come enjoy quirky laughs from this seasoned pro; and hang out afterwards to chat with Ted, who's one of the friendliest Emmy winners you're ever likely to meet.
10:30 pm at Soho Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street (between 6th Avenue & Varick); tickets are $15
This monthly event is "a live game show featuring three contestants chosen randomly from the audience to answer questions about politics, pop culture, and other things you should already know!" Written by John Frusciante, Aaron Glaser, Jon Gutierrez; hosted by John Frusciante; and featuring sketch comedy performers Phaea Crede, Mike Still, and Ari Scott.
Midnight at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 12/28/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
[TOP PICK] UCBT's playground for celebrities and ace improvisors,
ASSSSCAT 3000 (paid show at 7:30 pm, free show at 9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] typically stellar stand-ups at one of the funniest free productions in NYC—and
winner of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Variety Show—President Johnson (8:00 pm),
terrific NYC comics Jordan Carlos (The Colbert Report), Myq Caplan (Comedy Central),
M. Dickson (NC Comedy Arts Fest), and more at RG Daniels' free Sunday Night Stand-Up (8:00 pm),
and terrific stand-up comics Vanessa Hollingshead (HBO, Comedy Central, just back from touring Iraq),
Ophira Eisenburg (Comedy Central), Anne Necypor (Logo's Hot Gay Comics),
and Shawn Hollenbach (Here! TV's Busted) at a free gay-themed show
tonight guest-hosted by Scott Ryan: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour (10:00 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 $10; 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 ($10) & 9:30 pm (free) at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue)
Greg Johnson & friend
This is one of the best comedy shows in New York—and is entirely free.
It's hosted by sharp, quick-witted Greg Johnson (check out his hilarious blog by clicking here).
Tonight's guests haven't been announced, but the lineup usually includes some of the finest stand-up comics in New York.
8:00 pm at Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street at Stanton; free
Jordan Carlos, M. Dickson, and Myq Kaplan
Sunday Night Stand-Up with RG Daniels
This new, free stand-up comedy show features both established talents and up-and-comers. It's hosted by RG Daniels (quirky experimental comic; influences include Woody Allen and french fries).
Tonight's fine guests are
Jordan Carlos ("Alan" on The Colbert Report, Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, VH1's
Best Week Ever, co-host of Nickelodeon's Me TV, upcoming comedy feature film Ghost Town;
for stand-up video about preppy R&B, please click here),
Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham; for superb stand-up video about religion, gay marriage, and dumplings, please click here), and
M. Dickson (North Carolina Comedy & Arts Festival; for stand-up video about Law & Order: SVU and Jeopardy, please click here).
8:00 pm at Three of Cups downstairs lounge, 83 1st Avenue (off 5th Street); free
Ophira Eisenberg, Vanessa Hollingshead, and Shawn Hollenbach
The Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
Brad Loekle is away this week having a Feliz Navidad in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but taking his place with a fine show is guest host Scott Ryan.
This gay-themed stand-up extravaganza is entirely free if you're okay with standing; otherwise plan on ordering food or a drink if you prefer sitting at a table.
Tonight's terrific guests are
Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, VH1's Best Week Ever),
Vanessa Hollingshead (HBO, Comedy Central, comedy DVD An American Anglomanic; just back from touring Iraq; for stand-up videos, please click here),
Ann Necypor (Logo's Hot Gay Comics), and
Shawn Hollenbach (here! TV's Busted; co-producer of weekly NYC gay-themed live comedy show The Back Room).
10:00 pm at Therapy, 348 West 52nd Street (between 8th & 9th 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 $3.50 each—
please read Hy on Theatre Discounts.
Return to Previous NYC Comedy Picks
Copyright © 2008 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
