NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 1/11/10
Morgan Murphy, Anthony Jeselnik, and other brilliant staff writers for Jimmy Fallon perform tonight at Tell Your Friends
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
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
[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): Adam Wade is a hilarious storyteller who's won the Moth GrandSlam twice, and is a record-breaking 10-time StorySlam Champion; has written for The New York Times Magazine; and is host of True Tales of College. Tonight Adam debuts a one-man show at Under St. Marks that's likely to be a treat: The Adam Wade from New Hampshire Show: Tales of Life, Love, and Little League
[FREE] 7:45 pm: NYC stand-ups Rory Scovel, Nick Turner, Calvin Cato, Thomas Dale, and Michael Cho Young performing at a free weekly show in the Manchester Pub hosted by Phoebe Robinson: Case of the Mondays Comedy
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): A blowout gathering of the writing staff of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon—brilliant stand-ups Anthony Jeselnik, Morgan Murphy, Jon Friedman, Eric Ledgin, and Jon Rineman—plus musical guest Beth Jean, all performing in the Lolita Bar with host Liam McEneaney at Tell Your Friends
[MEGA-TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($17 online or at the door with discount code ISCFBK): Genius improvisors from Chicago delivering one of the funniest shows you'll ever see by making up a play on the spot using the language and themes of the Bard. This is the finest improv troupe in the world, and one of the best comedy shows of any kind, anywhere. Tonight concludes the five-night NYC run, and is sold out; but there might be a stray audience member near the box office trying to sell an extra ticket. Until May 2010, this is the last chance for New Yorkers to enjoy the breathtakingly skilled Improvised Shakespeare Company
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm ($15 both online and at the door using discount code JODY, otherwise $20): This top musical improv troupe has wowed audiences around the world with its skill at making up an hour-long musical moment by moment. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment, even the song lyrics and the "choreography" are invented on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. Come see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award last August for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event during this final night of its current NYC run: Baby Wants Candy
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
9:30 pm ($5): Two more of UCBT's house sketch comedy troupes, Thunder Gulch and Gramps', trying out new bits at Maude Night
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: A blowout gathering of some of the finest comics in the country—tonight including Eugene Mirman, Kumail Nanjiani, Sean Patton, Tony Camin, and Max Silvestri—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central) at Whiplash
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 1/12/10
Rory Scovel and Sean Patton (Headlining at Comix)
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
7:00 pm ($5): A sketch show from Chris & Rebecca Smith, two members of world-class sketch troupe The Harvard Sailing Team who are married to each other: The New York Smiths
7:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Hilary Schwartz and Rachael Parenta hosting an intriguing show at Ochi's Lounge described as "emotionally inappropriate comedy:" Please, Someone Kill Me
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Delightful hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage—along with a guest who (unusually) hasn't yet been announced—conduct a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club
8:00 pm to midnight
($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight
featuring UCBT house troupes People People, Scootch, Bastian, DeCoster, and
The Bishop
followed by UCBT advanced students playing an improv game in which scenes flow from one location to another—all
at Harold Night
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm: Superb stand-ups Anthony Jeselnik (writer for Jimmy Fallon; Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central Presents), Jared Logan (Comedy Central), Sheng Weng (Comedy Central), and Michelle Biloon (Comedy Central) performing at the Housingworks Bookstore Cafe for a free weekly show hosted by brilliant stand-up Pete Holmes (Comedy Central Presents, The Daily Show, VH1's Best Week Ever, The New Yorker)...and that used to be co-hosted by the equally brilliant Jessi Klein, but Jessi's now busy as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live: Punch Up Your Life
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:30 pm ($15 online using discount code RORY & 2-item min.) Three hilarious rising star stand-ups performing for one night only at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Sean Patton, Kumail Nanjiani. and Rory Scovel
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Tom Shillue (stellar comedic storyteller; Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents), Bobby Tisdale (legendary co-host of Invite Them Up), Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central, AMC, Verizon FIOS guy, Front Page Films), and more 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.): Delightful stand-ups Leah Dubie and Amy Beckerman hosting guest stand-ups (who haven't been announced) performing in Ochi's Lounge at Dykes on Mics
[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 1/13/10
The brilliantly talented Jessica Delfino proves she's one of a kind hosting Skits 'n' Tits
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[FREE] 7:00 pm to midnight: Five free hours of improvisation in The PIT's Super Free Wednesday
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Top writers and comedians joining world-class storyteller Adam Wade (two-time Moth GrandSlam Storytelling Champion and record-breaking 10-time StorySlam Champion; for Adam's award-winning tale of being an NBC page on Conan O'Brien, please click here) in Ochi's Lounge to share their favorite true campus anecdotes at True Tales of College
[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
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm: Lightning-fast & thoroughly hilarious 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, brilliant host of hit show Punch Up Your Life and Gutbucket), wonderful and eternally inventive Leo Allen (former writer for Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central Presents, Conan O'Brien, upcoming HBO series Funny or Die, brilliant host of top comedy show Whiplash), Ali Wong (hilarious & fearless human dynamo stand-up), and Kevin Barnett (stand-up from Florida) performing at a free weekly comedy show at Brooklyn's Cameo (behind Lovin' Cup) hosted by Max Silvestri: Big Terrific
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): An hour-long play made up on the spot by razor-sharp, passionate improvisors Scott Adsit (30 Rock, Moral Orel) and Christina Gausas (Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report) at Adsit & Gausas
[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($5): From Examiner.com:" I can sell this show in 10 words or less…pasties, beautiful ladies, hysterical comedy, a house band, and beer…done. The electric trio made up of Jessica Delfino, Diane O’Debra, and Steph Sbelli (who both sing raunchy songs and perform sketch comedy) put on their smashing monthly variety show Skits n Tits that can only be described as hilarious, bad ass, and sexy. Catch some of the hottest up and coming acts in burlesque and comedy." Tonight's guests are stellar comedic singer/songwriter Ben Lerman; stand-ups Adrienne Iapalucci, Jessica Kirson, Mike Amato, and Mike Lawrence; burlesque stars The Chi-Ciones, Lil Miss Lixx, and Sizzle Dizzle; and "a special celebrity guest you won't wanna miss," all performing in The Bowery Poetry Club at the monthly extravaganza known at Skits 'n' Tits
[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 1/14/10
For one night only, razor-sharp & hilarious Leo Allen Headlines at Comix and Gilbert Gottfried Headlines at Carolines...
...and Giulia Rozzi & Margot Leitman celebrate the three-year
anniversary of their superb show Stripped
Stories,
and delightful
Andrée Vermeulen debuts her one-woman show French
Toast
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 ($24.50 & 2-drink min.) A one-of-a-kind comedy star headlining at Carolines: Gilbert Gottfried
[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): Rob Lathan and Will Hines showcase their self-published book Get Psyched! (based on Rob's character Dr. Lanny Latham), "a 123-page guide to how getting psyched will immediately solve every problem in your life instantly -- in seven easy steps!," via readings from such top comedic talent as Adira Amram, Christina Gausas, and Tom Shillue: Get Psyched! The Book! Live!
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): The delightful Andrée Vermeulen debuting her more-or-less one-woman show: "After applying for The Greatest French Person in the World Award, Andrée uncovers a dark family secret (she may actually be...Belgian!), and is forced to decide whether or not believing in something is enough to make it true"—for a hint of how much fun you're likely to have, view a video scene with Andrée and her real-life boyfriend Thomas Middleditch by clicking here; and Nick Ross performing a show about his combating cancer, with a deliciously vibrant and adorable performance by actress Leslie Meisel as a variety of secondary characters (including the cancer itself...), in the double-bill French Toast and Highly Evolved Human
8:00 pm ($5): iO Chicago's Lyndsay Hailey performing her critically acclaimed one-woman show 30% Chance of Hailey
8:00 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
9:00 pm ($12): Andrea Rosen, Myq Kaplan, DC Benny, Caroline Rhea, and hosts Matt McCarthy & Katina Corrao performing at Comedy Below Canal
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Celebrating the three-year anniversary of NYC's best sexy storytelling show are thoroughly wonderful storytellers Tom Shillue and Ophira Eisenberg, plus stellar comedic singer/songwriter Ben Lerman, performing around tonight's theme 3 ( as in three-somes, third base, and third time's the charm) for sensual hosts Margot Leitman's & Giulia Rozzi's Stripped Stories
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:30 pm ($13 online using discount code VIPJAN & 2-item min.): Leo Allen is one of the most talented and beloved stand-ups in NYC. Leo's a former long-time writer for Saturday Night Live; performed two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials; performed on Conan O'Brien; is the co-host of the upcoming HBO series Funny or Die; and is the wonderful host of top weekly stand-up show Whiplash. Come see Leo perform a deliciously long set, with openers from brilliant rising stars Brooke Van Poppelen and Joe Mande: Leo Allen Headlining at Comix
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Vibrant improv troupes Death by Roo Roo and Bangs battling for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match
NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 1/15/10
Comedy dynamo Shannon O'Neill debuts Prison Freaks: A Talent Show, and sketch troupe Murderfist performs Late and Dirty
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): Comedy dynamo Shannon O'Neill debuting her extravaganza about an annual talent show in "Charlie Sheen Prison, the only talent show starring the criminally retarded and insane," directed by the wonderful Will Hines; and disarmingly charming comedy duo Mamrie Hart and Stephen Soroka performing silly skits and—most memorably—tackling the news on the fly based on audience requests, in the double-bill Prison Freaks: A Talent Show and BoF in This Old Thing
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Brilliant comedic singer/songwriter Mindy Raf (VH1, College Humor), Myq Kaplan (The Tonight Show, Comedy Central Presents), John F. O'Donnell (Comedy Central), Micah Sherman, and Nick Vatterott performing at Brooklyn's Coco 66 for host Nick Turner's and new co-host Jason Saenz 's Too Cool for School
9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Stellar singer/songwriter Ben Lerman, and sharp NYC stand-ups Leah Dubie, Jamie Lee, Lisa Kaplan, and Chris Doucette, performing in Ochi's Lounge at a gay-themed show hosted by the lovely Jenny Rubin: The Back Room
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers
10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical
11:00 pm ($5): Ace sketch troupe Olde English, plus comedy guests who are asked to perform entirely new material, at what might their last UCBT show for a while: Very Fresh: The Finale
11:00 ($5): NYC's heavy metal version of a sketch troupe, providing odd, unsettling, and fearless dark comedy...and for tonight promises all-new material: Murderfist: Late and Dirty
[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
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 1/16/10
Stellar NYC comics, including the brilliant Sara Schaefer and Kumail Nanjiani, have fun with comic books at Comics Love Comics
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 ($3): Stand-ups doing comic book related material at one of NYC's best comic book stores, Jim Hanley's Universe, with tonight's superb guests Kumail Nanjiani (David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report, Jimmy Kimmel, writer/performer for Comedy Central's Michael & Michael Have Issues), Sara Schaefer (brilliant, inventive, luminous comic; staff writer for Jimmy Fallon; VH1's Best Week Ever), Victor Varnado (Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central, NBC's My Name is Earl, Adult Swim; films Pluto Nash, End of Days, A Guy Thing, The Awkward Kings of Comedy), Myq Kaplan (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents, Human Giant), Dan Mintz (HBO's Lucky Louis, Comedy Central Presents, Important Things with Demetri Martin), Jake Youngmore, and show producer Matt Maragno: Comics Love Comics
[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Lightning-fast & thoroughly hilarious Pete Holmes (Comedy Central Presents, The Daily Show, John Oliver and Friends, VH1's Best Week Ever, The New Yorker, host of hit shows Punch Up Your Life and Gutbucket), Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, Verizon Fios guy, Front Page Films), Giulia Rozzi (VH1, co-host of Stripped Stories), Claudia Cogan (MTV, Logo, here! TV), Pat Stango & Blaine Perry (Don’t Touch Me There), Raquel D'Apice, Morgan Venticinque, and Mark Anthony Ramirez performing in Ochi's Lounge at Lil' Seany Boy
[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
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10 suggested donation): Jamie Lee (who's also the producer and host), Pat Stango, Ray Devito, Kara Klenk, Kate Berlant and Calise Hawkins performing at Karma Lounge for a show benefiting an animal shelter: Diamonds in the Fluff
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history, 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 pm ($10): Comedy duo Chris O'Neill and Paul Valenti won the Best Sketch Troupe award at the Snubfest Comedy Festival in Chicago and the New Jacks Comedy competition at Comix; and tonight will demonstrate why at The Chris and Paul Show
[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): An open contest to see who can create the most shockingly funny & filthy sketch running three minutes or less. If you're easily offended, don't even consider attending; but if you appreciate comedy that pushes the envelope without hurting anyone (with the possible exception of prudes), you'll applaud this wild, uninhibited breaking of taboos to get laughs. If a routine is dreadful (many will be), the festivities will be maintained by superb hosts Gil Ozeri, John Flynn, and John Frusciante at The Dirtiest Sketch in NYC Contest
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 1/17/10
Stellar comedic singer/songwriter Jessica Delfino helps celebrate the release of Kong Magazine
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
[FREE] 7:30ish pm: NYC stand-ups (who haven't been announced this week) performing at a free weekly LES show at Pianos hosted by Greg Johnson: The Comedians
[FREE] 8:00 pm: The Golden Globes and NYC live comedy join forces when stand-ups Adam Lehman, Jessimae, and Brad Loekle are your sarcastic hosts for the entire evening as Therapy telecasts the Awards on the Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Sharp stand-ups Joe DeRosa (Comedy Central Presents), Dan Boulger (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham), Lee Camp (writer for The Onion), Andy Haynes, and more 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: Superb stand-ups Sara Schaefer (brilliant, inventive, luminous comic; staff writer for Jimmy Fallon; VH1's Best Week Ever), Joe Mande (Comedy Central; co-host of Totally J/K; author of upcoming book about hipsters from St. Martin's Press), Sean Donnelly, (host of Ochi's Motel and Lil Seany Boy), and more performing in the East Village's Beauty Bar at Vince Averill's & Jesse Popp's free weekly show Beauty Bar Comedy
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:30 pm: Brilliant raunchy singer/songwriter Jessica Delfino hosts a show at Pianos celebrating the debut of a magazine for women mixing comedy and sex: Kong Launch: Naked on the 17th
Copyright © 2010 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
