NYC Comedy Picks for Week of January 19, 2009

NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 1/19/09

Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez as The Pajama Men (Whiplash)

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 Helen Hong, Vince Averill, RG Daniels, Vicky Kuperman, Chelsea White, Becky Ciletti, Sean Donnelly, Blaine Perry, Aalap Patel, Matteson Perry, and John Morrison—at John Morrison's Ochi's Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] acclaimed Chicago sketch comedy duo Jordan Klepper and Steve Waltien in a rare NYC performance of their show mixing comedy and theatre: Steve and Jordan, Respectively (8:00 pm),

terrific stand-ups Chelsea Peretti (Comedy Central, Variety SHAC), Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn), Rob O'Reilly (Comedy Central), Luke Thayer (The Living Room), and Kara Buller, plus indie band Xylos—and "Kevin Bacon" (presumably seeking to start over after his massive losses to Bernie Madoff)—at a free weekly comedy show in Brooklyn hosted by the razor-sharp Jena Friedman: Entertaining the Bartender (8:30 pm),

two ace Chicago-trained improvisors, Peter Grosz (writer for The Colbert Report) and John Lutz (writer/actor for Saturday Night Live since 2004; 30 Rock), making up scenes as 2 Square (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] and a free weekly show featuring some of the finest comics in the country—with tonight's guests including wryly brilliant stand-up Todd Barry (David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central, Adult Swim) and, in a rare NYC appearance, award-winning comedy duo Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez as The Pajama Men (The Cody Rivers Show)—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central) at Whiplash (11:00 pm).

Ochi's Motel

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 Helen Hong, Chelsea White, Meg Cupernall, Sue Funke, Vince Averill, RG Daniels, Josh Comers, Matt Ruby, Gilad Foss, Mark Normand, Sean Donnelly, Blaine Perry, and John Morrison.

And the 9:00 pm show includes talents Vicky Kuperman, Becky Ciletti, Mike Drucker, Luke Cunningham, Dave Celestian, Francoise Gordon, Don Weir, Aalap Patel, and Matteson Perry.

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)

Jordan Klepper and Steve Waltien

Steve and Jordan, Respectively

A critically acclaimed two-man sketch show from veteran Chicago-based comics

Jordan Klepper and Steve Waltien delivers a rare NYC performance tonight.

During its initial run, Time Out Chicago wrote this about the show: "Steve and Jordan, Respectively is a crafty, theatrical hybrid of neurotic first-person confessions and top-shelf sketch that borders on performance art...It feels just as dramatically sound, culturally relevant, and honest in performance as any contemporary theater piece."

And Jordan & Steve describe their show as "An introspective, empathetic look into what it means to be on the verge of something, looking back on past mistakes, and wondering what’s next—through sketch comedy. Funny and honest, biography blends with fiction as Steve and Jordan attempt to address the issues that they encounter looking down the barrel of 30. These issues come to life in scenes, monologues and inner monologues with characters ranging from a pair of astronauts to a bestiality-inclined Sudanese farmer, to two struggling actors."

This superb show, which leaves NYC after tonight to continue on its national tour, can be seen for a mere five bucks. Dress warmly and come experience it.

8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5

Chelsea Peretti, Rob Cantrell, and Luke Thayer...

...and "Kevin Bacon," Rob O'Reilly, and Jena Friedman

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

Chelsea Peretti (exceptionally fresh, smart stand-up comic; Comedy Central's Live at Gotham; member of superb comedy troupe Variety Shac; writer for Village Voice, Details, Playgirl, Jest,

blackpeopleloveus.com, and Rejection Line: 212/479-7990),

Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, CBS's Late Late Show, VH1; off-Broadway show The Marijuana-Logues),

Rob O'Reilly (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Comedy Central's Live At Gotham; took second place out of 64 comics in the March 2008 Comedy Madness stand-up competition at Carolines; for stand-up video about why you shouldn't trust Trojans, please click here),

Luke Thayer (co-host of Brooklyn biweekly live show Living Room Comedy),

Kara Buller (Chicago Underground Comedy),

music from indie band Xylos,

and "Kevin Bacon" (apparently seeking exposure for new work after losing all his investments to Bernie "I've made off with your money" Madoff...).

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

John Lutz and Peter Grosz

2 Square

Superb comics Peter Grosz (writer for The Colbert Report, star of over 100 Sonic fast-food commercials, co-writer & co-star of UCBT sketch show The Steve Miller Band and Other Annoying Monsters) and John Lutz (writer & occasional actor on SNL since 2004; recurring character on 30 Rock) perform a two-man improv show (a version of their previous long-running and acclaimed Chicago show 4 Square, which also included Dan Bakkedahl and Rob Janas).

9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5

Leo Allen and Todd Barry...

...and Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez as The Pajama Men

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).

Tonight's thoroughly 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;

acted in the acclaimed Darren Aronofsky hit film The Wrestler;

check out Todd's newest comedy CD From Heaven) and

The Pajama Men (award-winning comedy duo Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez, who are famed for split-second character switches and weaving together multiple story lines at high speeds, and have performed to great acclaim across the US and the UK; "One of the most dazzling displays of comedy theatre I've ever seen. It's weird. And it's wonderful...Five Stars"—The London Times).

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 1/20/09

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 Amy Beckerman, Vicky Kuperman, Becky Ciletti, Hilary Schwartz, Laura Spaeth, Kara Buller, Linda San Lucas, Alison Grillo, Aalap Patel, Matteson Perry, and John Morrison—at John Morrison's Broadway Motel (6:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] writer Fred Van Lente (Incredible Hercules) and artist Ryan Dunlavey (Comic Book Comics)

joining in on a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),

three full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes

The F*cking Kennedys, Whorenado, The Scam, Bastian, and DeCoster—at Harold Night (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] superb storytellers, including Kambri Crews (Comix, Family Hour, The Moth), Andy Christie (The New York Times, The Liar Show) and Margot Leitman (Conan O'Brien, Stripped Stories) at SpeakEasy (8:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] and brilliant concept comic Dave Hill (HBO, VH1, Spike TV, The New York Times), star comedy duo The Sklar Brothers (HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, ESPN), top party DJ Mr. Blue, and possibly surprise guests at the wonderful Seth Herzog's Sweet (9:00 pm).

Broadway Motel

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 Dan St. Germain, Vicky Kuperman, Alice Wetterlund, Laura Nikifortchuk, Dan Upham, Alice Wetterlund, Ashley Adler, Doug Adler, and Cory Jarvis.

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

Writer Fred Van Lente's Incredible Hercules, and pulse-pounding action from artist Ryan Dunlavey

Comic Book Club

Hosted by Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler and Pete LePage,

who enjoy discussing comic books while getting laughs.

Tonight's industry guests are writer Fred Van Lente (Incredible Hercules) and artist Ryan Dunlavey (Comic Book Comics).

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.

(And for my two current faves, a delightful visit from Kevin "Batman" Conroy and a hilarious evening with Daily Show writer Eliot Kalan, please click here and here.)

Also be sure to watch a Penguin vs. Batman debate that uncannily predicted John McCain's campaign strategy by clicking here.

8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5

Harold Night

The Harold is longform improv, pioneered by Del Close.

Tonight, five improv troupes—

The F*cking Kennedys, Whorenado, The Scam, 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

SpeakEasy: Stories from the Back Room

There is little as satisfying as a well-told funny story...

that is, unless you can have an entire evening packed with them.

Sherry Weaver hosts this lovely show, which she says she created because

"she couldn't convince people to climb into bed with her at night and tell her stories."

Tonight's wonderful yarn-spinners include

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; and keep an eye out for Kambri's first autobiographical book in late 2009),

Margot Leitman (Late Night With Conan O'Brien, VH1, Spike TV; co-host of red-hot comedy show Stripped Stories; for Margot's fun reel, please click here), and

Andy Christie (writer for The New York Times; host of his own superb

NYC storytelling extravaganza The Liar Show).

8:30 pm at Cornelia Street Cafe, 29 Cornelia Street (between West 4th Street and Bleecker);

$10 ticket plus one item (food or drink) minimum

Seth Herzog and Dave Hill...

...and the Sklar Brothers and Mr. Blue

Sweet

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 thoroughly wonderful guests include

Dave Hill (one of the most original and hilariously sharp alternative comics in the country; written for The New York Times, Salon, HBO, and the eerie Web site Black Metal Dialogues; written & starred in MOJO TV's King of Miami; written and performed for VH1, Spike TV, The Learning Channel, and the much-missed Smoking Gun TV series; hosts monthly UCBT live comedy extravaganza The Dave Hill Explosion—for sample videos, please click here),

The Sklar Brothers (starred in MTV's Apartment 2F; Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; guest-starred in Emmy-winning episode of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm and in Entourage; guest starred on ABC's Grey's Anatomy (as conjoined twins); FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia; four seasons of ESPN's Cheap Seats; ESPN's SportCenter's The Bracket; Late Night with Conan O'Brien; VH1; new Web series Back  On Topps), and

and party DJ Mr. Blue.

9:00 pm at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street  (corner of Stanton Street); tickets are $5

NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 1/21/09

Margie Kment, Myq Kaplan, and Pete Holmes are among the comics

at tonight's gala networking party & comedy show Hold for the Laughs

Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy

(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:

five free hours of improvisation in The PIT's Super Free Wednesday (7:00 pm-midnight),

a mysterious new show in which comics talk about God: True Religion (7:30 pm),

fine NYC stand-up comics Jackie Monahan, Leah Dubie, Moody McCarthy, Emmy Rivera, Christina Cataldo, and Arthur Carlson trying out new material at the free Shrink (8:00 pm),

30 Rock actor and stellar storyteller Anthony Atamanuik delivering a fascinating autobiographical show about his doing massive drugs while writing children's television, plus "a one-man family sitcom," in the double-bill Pissing My Pants on Vine and Sertainly Seth (8:00 pm),

comics, writers, and others telling tales of their worst NYC experiences in New York Sh*tty (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] a wonderful networking event mixing folks from the NYC theatre and comedy scenes—plus homemade cookies!—followed by a full-blown comedy show with Pete Holmes (one of the quickest minds & funniest stand-ups in the country; Comedy Central, VH1, The New Yorker), James Smith (HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Comedy Central), Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central), and Becky Ciletti —hosted by the lovely & hilarious Margie Kment at Hold for the Laughs (9:30 pm party/networking/cookies, 10:00 pm show),

[TOP PICK] an entirely improvised musical from a genius comedy duo, and an improvised soap opera,

in the double-bill I Eat Pandas and Hot Lather: As the Diamond Burns (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] and a free, laid-back, and occasionally magical variety show where virtually anything can happen on a School Night (11:00).

Kurt Braunohler and Pat Shay

The PIT's Super Free Wednesday

For four hours every Wednesday, The PIT provides free shows featuring its improv house troupes. Vacation Island and The Wilhelm perform at 7:00 pm; Big Black Car and Fancy Dragon go on at 8:00 pm; and The Baldwins and Sid Viscous show their stuff at 9:30. Rounding out the evening are The Faculty, consisting of The PIT's superb improv instructors, including such talents as Ali Farahnakian, Kurt Braunohler, Ptolemy Slocum, Jen Nails, Pat Shay, Kevin Scott, and Rebekka Johnson.

If you then feel sufficiently inspired, you can participate in the free show Improdome at 11:00 pm, which allows audience members to get on stage and improvise with each other in trios for 5-7 minute sets.

7:00 pm-midnight at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); free

True Religion

A new comedy show in which "people talk about God."

There are no other details; but how can you not be intrigued?

7:30 pm at 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)

Jackie Monahan and Moody McCarthy

Shrink

This free weekly show tonight features terrific comics Jackie Monahan, Leah Dubie, Moody McCarthy, Emmy Rivera, Christina Cataldo, and Arthur Carlson.

8:00 pm at Otto's Shrunken Head, 538 East 14th Street (between Avenues A and B); free

Stellar storyteller Anthony Atamanuik, and one-man TV show Seth Kirschner

Anthony Atamanuik: Pissing My Pants on Vine and Seth Kirschner: Sertainly Seth

Two unique comedy shows for a mere five bucks.

The headliner is Pissing My Pants on Vine, a one-man autobiographical show about doing drugs and booze while writing for children's television from the wonderful Anthony Atamanuik. Anthony is an actor on NBC's 30 Rock; a hilarious reporter who covered the New Hampshire primaries for The Huffington Post; an ace storyteller on NYC monthly comedy show The Nights of Our Lives; and a member of champion improv troupe Death by Roo Roo.

Also on this double-is Seth Kirschner's "one-man family sitcom" in which a high school student must deal with his fears of—wait for it—acting. Yes, it sounds painful; but UCBT giving it a Wednesday night prime time slot indicates it's worth checking out. Directed by Todd Blass.

8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5

Ilana & Eliot Glazer

New York Sh*tty

New York has eight million stories. This show focuses on the ones that are icky. The official description:

"The traditional 'New York experience' is all but a mirage now, replaced by chipotles, cosmotinis, and management companies starving for horizontal space. Although it's become a cliche to romanticize Ed Koch's New York—one rampant with drugs, crime, and bankruptcy—you have to honor the city's two-faced ability to enthrall and excite you one day and wring you dry the next. Simply put, New York can suck—hard—and brother-sister duo Eliot & Ilana Glazer invite comedians, writers, bloggers, and performers to share their worst experiences in this new cathartic storytelling series."

Tonight's lineup hasn't been announced; but with the right storytellers, this could be terrific.

9:00 pm at 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)

Pete Holmes, Becky Ciletti, and James Smith...

...and Myq Kaplan and Margie Kment

Hold for the Laughs

This is an exciting attempt to bring NYC's vibrant comedy and theatre worlds together.

It opens at 9:30 pm with a networking party featuring free snacks (including addictively delicious homemade cookies) in which theatre and comedy folks can meet each other, and also get to know the artists involved in upcoming theatrical shows produced by the sponsor, Small Pond Entertainment. Come chat it up with producers, actors, comedians, technicians, theatre company reps, and other lovely folks who work in NYC's performing arts.

The event then shifts at 10:00 pm into a full-blown comedy show hosted by the

lovely and hilarious Margie Kment—who also baked the superb cookies (for stand-up video about dating a stoner, please click here).

Tonight's wonderful stand-ups and comedic storytellers are

Pete Holmes (brilliant, lightning-fast stand-up;  VH1's Best Week Ever,

Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Motherload; warm-up comic for The Daily Show; writer for CollegeHumor.com; cartoonist for mags ranging from The New Yorker to Cosmo Girl;

host of UCBT's monthly open mic stand-up show Gutbucket),

Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham; for superb stand-up video about religion, gay  marriage, and dumplings, please click here),

James Smith (NYC-based Australian comic; HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Comedy Central; for stand-up video on what it's like to be Australian in New York, please click here), and

Becky Ciletti (“Friends ask me if I'll ever have babies, but I don't know. Do babies eat Ramen?”).

Please Note: It's recommended that you reserve in advance by emailing holdforthelaughs@gmail.com. First, this will allow you to purchase tickets for $10 instead of $12. Second, this will give you the opportunity to fill out a short questionnaire about your role in the NYC comedy and/or theatre community; your answers will be included in an information packet handed out to everyone to enhance networking both before and after the show. And third, the show sometimes sells out, so it's wise to ensure seats at this superb party celebrating NYC's theatre & comedy scenes.

9:30 pm for networking, 10:00 pm for comedy show at the Sage Theatre,

711 Seventh Avenue, 2nd floor (between 47th & 48th Streets);

tickets are $10 if you reserve by emailing holdforthelaughs@gmail.com, $12 at the door

Glennis & Eliza: I Eat Pandas and Hot Lather: As the Diamond Burns

Two unique improvisation shows for a mere five bucks.

Glennis McMurray and Eliza Skinner are simply geniuses

at taking a suggestion from the audience and creating

an entire musical based around it, using only their imaginations,

immense talent, and the aid of their wonderful improv pianist

Frank Spitznagel. Each of these gals is a powerhouse performer;

what they manage to create together tends to be sheer magic.

You don't have to take my word for it, either:

the duo won the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Improv Group; and they

recently starred in the Fringe festival hit Gem! A Truly Outrageous Parody,

which won two FringeNYC 2008 Awards.

Eliza will soon be moving to LA. Don't miss one of your final chances

to enjoy these comedic wizards at play on an NYC stage.

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

Justin Purnell

School Night

Host Justin Purnell provides a mix of guests who perform 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.

Come support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises,

that this wonderful rollercoaster of a show makes possible.

Please note that while it costs nothing to get in, if you have a good time (which is likely), you should drop a dollar or two into the contribution bucket on your way out. It's the only way this unique show—which has been running for four years—can stay alive as a beloved showcase.

11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free

NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 1/22/09

Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy

(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:

[TOP PICK] superb comedic actress Amanda Duarte performing a one-woman show about working in  the entertainment biz: Lucky Pink Wonderland (7:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] Ann Carr in a one-woman show about the crap New York actresses endure, and hot Broadway actresses Sarah Litzsinger & Kate Reinders as award-winning comedy duo TASTiSKANK, in the double-bill Use It and Skanks and the City (8:00 pm),

typically superb stand-up comics at a free weekly Brooklyn show

hosted by Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate, and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:00ish pm),

[TOP PICK] world-class sketch troupe Pangea 3000, hilarious comedy duo Team Submarine, and surreal troupe Murderfist performing both their best and strangest routines in what promises to be a spectacular sketch comedy revue: A-Side/B-Side (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] and The Stepfathers (one of the finest improv troupes in the country) and Ben Rodgers (a lone performer who's become an improv force of nature) delivering brilliant comedic performances while competing for audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).

A few of the faces of stellar actress/writer Amanda Duarte

Lucky Pink Wonderland

I first met Amanda Duarte when she was kind enough to visit my screenwriters workshop for an evening of cold readings. She was an exceptionally skilled and quick-thinking actress while performing the movie pages; but what was even more notable were her off-hand comments during our critiquing afterwards. At one point Amanda said a scene was "funny as balls." I remarked that I'd never realized balls were comedic. Amanda instantly replied, "Take my word, Hy. I've seen a lot more of them than you have." It was then I realized that in addition to being a stellar actress, Amanda is a razor-sharp wit.

Both qualities are in ample evidence in Amanda's one-woman show, which explores the crazy behavior of celebrities, and the highly unglamorous life of performers seeking to attain their own fame. Some sample moments:

Hollywood star teaching her 4-year-old adopted trophy-daughter the right values by ordering a Diet Coke: "Emma, what does Mommy say? It's not a diet, it's a live-it. Now drink it up and be pretty."

A fading star in a restaurant: "I'm just trying to have lunch with my friend here today, so no autographs, okay? Oh. Sorry. I'll have the garden salad."

Failed actress turned waitress trying to force alcohol at noon on a fellow waitress in AA who just landed a TV role: "Let's celebrate with a drink! Really, one little glass isn't gonna hurt, is it? Look, you're being rude. Well, glad I don't have to live like that. Thank God I don't have a drinking problem, 'cause I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't have a drink."

A recent Variety review describes it all as "Very, very funny...It's hard to leave the theater without feeling like a little bite has been taken out of your soul." What more can one ask for?

Like Amanda, the show is smart, funny, raunchy, memorable...and recommended.

7:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8

Ann Carr, and Sarah Litzsinger & Kate Reinders

Ann Carr: Use It and TASTiSKANK: Skanks and the City

Two all-women comedies for a mere five bucks.

The evening kicks off with a one-woman show written and performed by Ann Carr (VH1's The Winners Circle, Comedy Central Motherload's Honesty Wedding, UCBT's High School Talent Show,The Pit's Keith & Donna's Grateful Dead Listening Hour) dealing with the darker side of the biz: "If you find yourself crying openly in a Starbucks about the webisode audition you just went on, you need to find a way to channel that shit. Ann Carr bites the hand that feeds her (well, almost feeds her) and draws upon her host of experiences as an actress in New York by making fun of the industry and the people who fuel it." Directed by improv genius Eliza Skinner.

The double-bill then continues with ex-Broadway stars Sarah Litzsinger and Kate Reinders as comedy duo TASTiSKANK (for their music video You're the Worst Sex I've Ever Had, please click here), who "explore the ups and downs of their quote-unquote love lives, relying on valium and their friendship to get them through." These gals were the winners of the 2007 Breakout Award at the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival, and were also "voted two of the 25 Sexiest New Yorkers by the New York Post, which makes them REALLY REALLY sexy (and yes, they're single)."

8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5

Eugene Mirman and John Mulaney...

...and Matt McCarthy, and hosts Gabe Liedman & Jenny Slate

Big Terrific, hosted by Gabe Liedman & Max Silvestri

Gabe Liedman & Jenny Slate (adorable and foul-mouthed comedy duo Gabe & Jenny; for hilarious Jenny video, please click here) and Max Silvestri (VH1's Best Week Ever, weekly podcast Best Night Ever, videos for 236.com) host this free weekly Brooklyn show.

Tonight's guests haven't been announced yet but, as you can see from last week's lineup (above), they're usually stellar NYC comics. To check for a last-minute update, please click here.

8:00ish 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

Pangea 3000, Team Submarine, and Murderfist: A-Side/B-Side

Three sketch comedy groups show off their best (A-Side) and oddest (B-Side) material.

First up is world-class sketch troupe Pangea 3000, consisting of Andrew Cleary, Sam Kemmis, Dan Klein, Arthur Meyer, and Seth Reiss. These clever guys have blown the roof off with such instant classics as a spelling bee for fart noises, and a doctor announcing devastating news and then going off to calmly eat a chicken sandwich while family members panic around him. To view two of Pangea 3000's surreal tales of games guys play, involving whoopee cushions and tag, please click here and here.

The fun then continues with Team Submarine, i.e., hilarious comedy duo Nate Fernald & Steve O'Brien, who were one of the highlights of SketchFest NYC 08; these guys perform very smartly written dialogues, delivered with a crisp timing and comfortable camaraderie that will remind you of such classic teams as Abbott & Costello...and will have you on the floor with laughter.

The triple-bill concludes with a group that specializes in the B-Side of comedy: Murderfist, which creates dark sketches that are unsettling, and may elicit more discomfort than laughs. (For example, to watch a somewhat grueling tale of an unlikely gay couple done in the style of a silent film, please click here.) But if you get a kick out of East Village performance art, you'll probably like this troupe.

This promises to be a spectacular 90 minutes of sketch comedy—and it's a mere five bucks.

9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5

vs.

Cage Match: The Stepfathers vs. Ben Rodgers

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.)

Tonight features a battle of titans.

In one corner is The Stepfathers, consisting of some of the sharpest & funniest improv comics in the country: Michael Delaney, Chris Gethard, Will Hines, Shannon O'Neill, Silvija Ozols, Andy Secunda, and Zach Woods.

Some of these folks are comedy geniuses; and they're on stage practicing their craft

in front of rapt audiences every Friday at 9:30 pm at UCBT.

They were also a juggernaut this season, winning six Cage Match bouts in a row...

and typically beating their skilled opponents by a country mile.

Don't expect any such easy victory tonight, however, because in the other corner is Ben Rodgers, who's become a breathtaking improv force of nature this season. Normally the pitch-perfect and thoroughly hilarious co-announcer of Cage Match, and member of improv troupe Outlook of the Poet (which won the epic 2008 3-on-3 Improv Tournament), Ben is the only person in the history of Cage Match to compete solo! Ben wowed audiences this season with his ability to take over the stage and conjure complex tales filled with quirky characters using only his quick-witted imagination, acting skills, guts, and charisma.To read a description of the electric night Ben won against another of the very finest improv troupes in the country, Death by Roo Roo, please click here; and to read about Ben's defeat by improv giant C, C + C Improv Factory, please click here.

Can one man triumph over seven extraordinarily skilled improvisors—particularly when a key element of this unique art is forming a group mind?

There's no telling what'll 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 1/23/09

Charlie Sanders (Minnesota Muslim) and The Whitest Kids U' Know

Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy

(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:

[TOP PICK] genius guest comics Anthony Jeselnik (Conan O'Brien, HBO, NBC, Comedy Central) and Dave Hill (HBO, VH1, Spike TV, The New York Times), plus regulars including Roger Hailes (Chappelle's Show, VH1), joining in on occasionally uncomfortable comedy hosted by Blaine Perry & Pat Stango: Don't Touch Me There (7:30 pm),

fine NYC stand-ups joining delightful hosts Jackie Monahan, Leah Dubie, Amy Beckerman, and Gloria Bigelow at Dykes on Mics (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] rising star Charlie Sanders performing one of the most vibrant and hilarious autobiographical shows you'll ever see, plus sharp sketch comedy duo Greg & Lou debuting a show about an art heist, in the double-bill Minnesota Muslim and Grand Theft Auto...Oh (8:00 pm),

stand-ups Jessica Halem, Scott Ryan, Chantal, Jason Saft, and more

at a gay-themed comedy show hosted by Jenny Rubin: The Back Room (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers (9:30 pm),

a groundbreaking and surreal improv troupe tackling our new hard times

in Centralia: The Really Great Depression (9:30 pm),

singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical (10:00 pm),

a star sketch comedy troupe—with a popular TV series on IFC—performing tonight and Saturday live on stage at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: The Whitest Kids U' Know (10:30 pm),

and a free opportunity for you to perform sketch on the UCBT stage at Liquid Courage (12:20ish am).

Anthony Jeselnik (being lauded by Robin Williams), Blaine Perry & Pat Stango, and Dave Hill

Don't Touch Me There

Blaine Perry and Pat Stango host this comedy show

that doesn't mind being unsettling.

A typical Stango bit: "It creeps me out when I visit my parents' house and listen to them

say what a great sex life they still have. It especially freaks me out because

they died in a car accident 10 years ago."

If that made you laugh, you're a Don't Touch Me There kind of person.

Tonight's thoroughly wonderful guests include

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 Presents 1/2-hour special, HBO, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live,  NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, MTV's Most Valuable Players; staff writer for NBC's upcoming NYC replacement for Conan O'Brien's show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon; for stand-up videos, please click here) and

Dave Hill (one of the most original and hilariously sharp alternative comics in the country; written for The New York Times, Salon, HBO, and the eerie Web site Black Metal Dialogues; written & starred in MOJO TV's King of Miami; written and performed for VH1, Spike TV, The Learning Channel, and the much-missed Smoking Gun TV series; hosts monthly UCBT live comedy extravaganza The Dave Hill Explosion—for sample videos, please click here),

plus sketches and other bits from regulars/co-producers Steve Bossous, Sean Donnelly, Eliza Faria-Santos, and Roger Hailes.

7:00 pm doors, 7:30 pm show at Karma Lounge, 51 1st Avenue (between 3rd and 4th Streets); free

Gloria Bigelow, Amy Beckerman, Leah Dubie, and Jackie Monahan

Dykes on Mics

Free gay-themed stand-up comedy show featuring the superb gals above

as regulars/hosts, plus guest comics.

7:30 pm at 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)

Ace storyteller Charlie Sanders, and sharp comedy duo Lou Perez & Greg Burke

Charlie Sanders: Minnesota Muslim and Greg & Lou: Grand Theft Art...Oh

A phenomenal storytelling event, and one-woman sketch comedy, for a mere 10 bucks.

Charlie Sanders is an extraordinarily dynamic and committed comic who's performed numerous sketch comedy routines on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and is a star member of world-class improv troupes Reuben Williams, Buffoons, and C, C + C Improv Factory (which won the 2008 Cage Match Improv Championship). Tonight, however, Charlie shows another side of his vast talents by telling jaw-dropping—and entirely true—tales of his experiences growing up white in midwestern suburbia...as a Muslim.

This is one of the most hilarious and brilliantly performed one-man shows you'll ever see—with definite theatrical potential—and has my highest recommendation. Don't miss rising star Charlie Sanders demonstrate what he can do when running on all gears.

The fun then continues with smart writing and committed performances from 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 of the duo, please click here.

Tonight's all-new sketch show is described as follows: "There's one final job going down at the museum. The security's tight, the stakes are high, and the night watchman is...rocking out? Greg & Lou present action, intrigue, and sex with inanimate objects. Grand Theft Art... Oh, where every sketch is a masterpiece waiting to be stolen." Co-written and directed by AJ Morales.

8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10

Jenny Rubin, Dave Rubin, Paul Case, and Shawn Hollenbach

The Back Room

Gay-themed comedy (with both gay & straight comics),

hosted by the charming Jenny Rubin (WE TV’s Cinematherapy and The Gutter).

Tonight's stand-ups include

guest comics Jessica Halem, Scott Ryan, Chantal, and Jason Saft,

plus

Back Room co-producer Paul Case (MTV, D-Listed Radio, here! TV's Bent),

Back Room co-producer Shawn Hollenbach (here! TV's Busted), and

Back Room co-producer Dave Rubin (here! TV's Dave Rubin Project and Hot Gay Comics).

9:00 pm at 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)

Back: Will Hines, Zach Woods, Michael Delaney, and Bobby Moynihan

Front: Chris Gethard, Shannon O'Neill, and Silvija Ozols

The Stepfathers

Some of the smartest & finest improv comics in NYC—Michael Delaney,

Chris Gethard, Will Hines, Bobby Moynihan, Shannon O'Neill, Silvija Ozols,

Andy Secunda, and Zach Woods—make up a series of scenes from a one-word audience suggestion.

Just to give you a feel for the talent involved, Delaney and Secunda are members of legendary improv troupe The Swarm; Gethard is a storytelling genius; and Moynihan (who still comes by on Fridays when he can steal the time) since 2008 is a stellar cast member of Saturday Night Live.

With art and grace, these quick-witted comedy stars will make you laugh—a lot.

Be sure to also come see this troupe next Thursday, when they compete against equally brilliant troupe Death by Roo Roo for the 2009 Cage Match Championship.

9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10

Centralia: The Really Great Depression

Acclaimed improv troupe Centralia consists of Kevin Scott, Jay Rhoderick, and 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; for a stand-up sample, please click here).

The official description: "On the heels of its successful runs of Uncle and Au Bon Panic, Centralia is back with an improvisational journey through the new Hard Times, weaving surreal and hilarious tales inspired by market nosedives, corporate bailouts, and bank implosions. As we teeter on the brink of new Hoovervilles, breadlines and asking a brother to spare a dime, Centralia delivers its patented brand of script-less scenes, songs and mayhem. Featuring the amazing musical talents of Stuart Bogie (Antibalas, TV On The Radio, Fela)."

9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $10

The Made-Up Musical

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

The Whitest Kids U' Know

Popular NYC-based sketch comedy group The Whitest Kids U' Know stars in its own TV series on IFC; the 2009 season is slated to air Tuesdays at 10:00 pm starting January 27th.

The troupe got its big break at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, winning the Best Sketch Group award. That led to deals with Paramount Pictures, Collegehumor.com (where they continue to have a loyal following), and eventually the IFC series that's given them a national audience.

The group consists of Sam Brown, Zach Cregger, Trevor Moore, Darren Trumeter, and Timmy Williams.

Please Note: You can save $5 off the $25 cover tonight or $20 cover before day of show on Saturday (i.e., pay $20 or $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.

Tonight & Saturday at 10:30 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between

8th & 9th Avenues); $20 per ticket tonight or $15 for Saturday

if you order online today using discount code HyReviews

Liquid Courage

The ultimate in audience participation: any group can submit a sketch and perform it!

If all you want is to be entertained, this show probably isn't a good choice.

But if you'd like to act on the UCBT stage, and/or have your sketch writing judged by an exceptionally savvy audience, this is a golden opportunity.

Sign-up begins at 10:30 pm and runs till 11:45 pm; sketches will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's wise to arrive early. For a complete list of the rules, please click here.

12:20ish am at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free

NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 1/24/09

Demetri Martin (Moonwork) and The Improvised Shakespeare Co.

Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy

(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:

[TOP PICK] razor-sharp improvisors making up plays on the spot using the language and themes of the Bard: Improvised Shakespeare (5:00 pm and 10:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] four sharp storytellers—tonight including hilarious Margot Leitman (Conan O'Brien, Stripped Stories) and Rob Gorden (Spike TV)—trying to mislead the audience at Andy Christie's The Liar Show (6:00 pm),

an exciting new NYC show developed at Chicago's legendary iO theatre in which veteran

improvisors create a play on the spot based on audience suggestions: New Play (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] 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),

sharp NYC stand-ups at a free comedy show guest-hosted tonight by the hilarious Joe Mande & Noah Garfinkel in Queens' Long Island City: This Is New York (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] stellar comics Demetri Martin (star of new Comedy Central show Important Things), Andres du Bouchet (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, FOX), Michelle Buteau (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), Dan Allen (Comedy Central), and folk rock band Brazz Tree—plus free beer!—at Tom Shillue's acclaimed Moonwork (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] one of my all-time favorite improv troupes—which in 2008 broke the Cage Match record

for winning streaks with 17 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),

organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track! (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] inventive & hilarious sketch comedy from The Harvard Sailing Team (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] improvised furious action from world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),

a star sketch comedy group—with a popular TV series on IFC—performing at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: The Whitest Kids U' Know (10:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced

theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home and, tonight, an open bar!—

at The Complete Performer (10:30 pm),

and a dozen NYC comedic performers, including Mindy Raf, Carolyn Castiglia, Rob Lathan, Shawn Hollenbach, and show creators Ilana & Eliot Glazer performing highly unusual acts at High School Talent Show (midnight).

Improvised Shakespeare

A highly acclaimed troupe of Chicago-based comics grace NYC today and tomorrow with their special brand of hilarity: improv using the language and themes of William Shakespeare. Or, as they describe it: "A right noble bande of goodlie players, charged with the improvisation of divers plays in the Shakespearean manner." To see a video of these guys at play, please click here.

Please Note: You can save $5 off the $20 ticket price by ordering online using code SHAKES.

This current NYC run ends tomorrow.

5:00 pm & 10:00 pm at Barrow Street Theatre, 27 Barrow Street (7th Ave., south of Christopher)

Tickets are $15 online if you use code SHAKES, or $20 at the door

The Liar Show

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, 2007 Moth GrandSlam Champion, author of book I Wasn't Kidding).

Tonight's stellar yarn-spinners are

Margot Leitman (Late Night With Conan O'Brien, VH1, Spike TV; co-host of red-hot comedy show Stripped Stories; for Margot's fun reel, please click here),

Rob Gorden (former co-host of Spike TV's Geek-Ray Vision and NYC's The Rob and Mark Show; for flat-rate phone sex service ad, please click here).

Raimy Rosenduft (The Moth GrandSlam finalist), and

Ryan Britt (Nerve.com, The Moth).

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

New Play: Improvised Theatre in One or Two Acts

Chicago's legendary iO Theatre developed an improv form called Play in which comics took an audience suggestion and then created "a play of two acts or less" on the spot. Bringing this exciting comedic game to NYC are Chicago-trained improv veterans Peter Grosz (writer for The Colbert Report, member of acclaimed Chicago improv troupe 4 Square, star of over 100 Sonic fast-food commercials), Deb Downing, Ed Herbstman, Katie Caussin, Melanie Hoopes, Jonathan Karpinos, and Kelly Haran, with direction by Sandy Marshall.

According to the official description, "the ensemble writes a play while they are performing it, streamlining the cumbersome and often wasteful 'process' traditionally used to develop scripts. Eliminating rewrites, readings, rehearsals, and other distractions, the cast of New Play harnesses the power of live theatre with no preparation, opening (and closing) a brand new play each week.

"New Play doesn't rehash the stereotypes of well-known theatrical styles or authors for easy laughs. Instead, the cast explores original stories and characters every show, as if in the voice of some yet undiscovered playwright. The results range from poignant to hilarious, and occasionally both at the same time.

"The show may contain strobe lights, loud explosions, nudity, objectionable themes, and gunfire. Or it may not."

If you love both improv and theatre, how can you resist?

7:30 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5

Becky Drysdale, Anthony King, Christina Gausas, and Tami Sagher

Let's Have a Ball

Some of the sharpest writers and performers in NYC get together for long-form improv fun.

Among the players often performing are 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), 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 Dan Goor (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show).

7:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10

Not Derrick

This Is New York

Derrick is away at Sundance this week trying to sell its first feature film for a small fortune.

Substituting are the two stellar comedy hosts of Totally J/K, quick-witted best buds Noah Garfinkel and Joe Mande (2008 ECNY Award winner for Best Emerging Comic).

To get a feel for Noah & Joe, please check out their dueling birthday videos by clicking here and here; their recent appearance on The McLaughlin Group by clicking here;

and for other videos by clicking here and here.)

Tonight's guests haven't been announced as of this writing; to check for a last-minute update, please click here.

8:00 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

Tom Shillue, Demetri Martin, and Andres du Bouchet

Moonwork

Acclaimed monthly comedy show hosted by Tom Shillue (Comedy Central Presents,

Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, storytelling podcasts;

for stand-up samples, please click here and here), who demonstrates his storytelling prowess via an extended witty monologue at the end of the show.

Tonight's superb guests include

Demetri Martin (immensely popular comedy star whose TV series Important Things debuts on Comedy Central next month; has his own segment, Trendspotting, on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart  [13 appearances]; Late Night with Conan O'Brien [4 appearances]; Comedy Central Presents 30-minute special, plus Comedy Central 2007 one-hour special Demetri Martin. Person. [both specials now available on DVD]; These Are Jokes CD/DVD),

Andres du Bouchet (writer for & performer on FOX's Talkshow with Spike Feresten; also performed on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, and Comedy Central's Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn, and ESPN's Cheap Seats; to watch Andres explain song lyrics, please click here; and for lots more videos, please click here),

Michelle Buteau (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central's Premium Blend;

for stand-up video about Utah, sharing, and tits, please click here),

Dan Allen (Comedy Central's Premium Blend; fun comedy site FlockOfMullets.com and blog TaoOfDan.com; host of monthly NYC live comedy show ¡Sacapuntas!; for stand-up video on Dan's vegan ex-girlfriend, please click here), and

superb acoustic folk rock musical group Brazz Tree.

9:00 pm at Phil Coltoff Center, 219 Sullivan Street (bet. Bleecker & West 3rd);

tickets are $20...which includes free beer

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

4 Track!

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.

9:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5