NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 7/27/09
Wyatt Cenac (Whiplash), John Oliver (Morrison Motel), and Arden Myrin (Gravid Water)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
the perfect show for short attention spans, open mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set
and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours—tonight including Dan St. Germain, Adam Lehman, RG Daniels, Julia Segal, Luke Cunningham, Shannon Brandt, Raquel D'Apice, Mark Normand, Matt Ruby, Danny Solomon, Sean Donnelly, Blaine Perry, Aalap Patel, and Matteson Perry.—at John Morrison's Ochi's Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] luminous Broadway & TV actors Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Tony nominee for Avenue Q; Sesame Street), Arden Myrin (Mad TV, Reno 911), Brian Patacca (Minor Gods), and Julie Sharbutt (Shakespeare In The Park: Twelfth Night) mixing it up with some of the best improvisors in the world—Tara Copeland, Michael Delaney, Thomas Middleditch, and Tami Sagher—as they crash improv into classic theatre scenes at Gravid Water (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] the brilliant staff writers of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, who are all stellar stand-ups and/or comedic performers in their own right—Anthony Jeselnik (phenomenal comic specializing in darkly shocking jokes and one of my favorite stand-ups ever), Morgan Murphy (former writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live), AD Miles (Conan O'Brien, Dog Bites Man, Reno 911, TV Funhouse, Human Giant), and Ali Waller (former writer for Comedy Central's The Showbiz Show with David Spade)—performing at Liam McEneaney's Tell Your Friends: Jimmy Fallon Edition (8:00ish pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] John Oliver (star correspondent of The Daily Show and genius stand-up comic), Jared Logan (hilarious razor-sharp comic; Comedy Central), Claudia Cogan (MTV, Logo, here! TV), Mike Drucker (freelance writer for SNL, The Onion, McSweeney's), Blaine Perry (co-host of Don't Touch Me There and Ochi's Motel), and Sean Donnelly (XM Radio; host of Lil' Seany Boy and co-host of Ochi's Motel) at John Morrison's Morrison Motel (8:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] a one-man show from a razor-sharp sketch comic, and a series of funny horror tales, in the double-bill Matt McCarthy and I Laughed Until I Died (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] and a free weekly show featuring some of the best stand-up comics in the country—who tonight include Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show) and Joe Mande (winner of the 2008 ECNY Award winner for Best Emerging Comic; co-host of live comedy show Totally J/K; author of upcoming book about hipsters from St. Martin's Press)—guest-hosted tonight by John Mulaney (staff writer for Saturday Night Live; Conan O'Brien, VH1's Best Week Ever; 2008 ECNY Award for Best Male Stand-Up Comedian) 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 groups of stand-ups.
Tonight's 6:30 lineup includes RG Daniels, Luke Cunningham, Raquel D'Apice, Beth McGregor, Mark Normand, Matt Ruby, Danny Solomon, Jay Bois, Dan Mahoney, Matt Maragno, Chris Doucette, Upa Lupa, Sean Donnelly, and Blaine Perry.
And the 9:00 pm lineup includes Dan St. Germain, Adam Lehman, Julia Segal, Shannon Brandt, J-L Cauvin, Jay Welch, Blance Dominguez, Mike Payne, 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)
Stephanie D'Abruzzo and Julie Sharbutt...
...and Thomas Middleditch, Tara Copeland, and Michael Delaney
Classic theatre scenes performed by professional actors who stay on book—
and an improv comic who hasn't read the play and has to make up lines on the fly.
Starring these world-class improvisers (in alphabetical order):
Tara Copeland (always-inventive star at both UCBT and The Magnet; currently co-starring in new improv troupes Sleepover and The Scam; previous improv shows have included Mother, The Tiny Spectacular, Ms. Jackson, and The Made-Up Musical),
Michael Delaney (genius improvisor, actor, and improv instructor; Late Night with Conan O'Brien; Will Ferrell Broadway Bush comedy You're Welcome America; member of UCBT star troupe The Stepfathers and legendary troupe The Swarm),
Thomas Middleditch (quick-witted organic talent and rising star who honed his improv skills at Second City and iO Chicago, and is a member of superstar improv troupes Improvised Shakespeare and Baby Wants Candy; one-man show Littlebitch; co-host of NYC live comedy show Game Bros. Live!), and
Tami Sagher (writer for 30 Rock; writer and producer for Mad TV 2001-2006).
And also starring some of NYC's top theatre & TV actors:
Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Tony nominee for Avenue Q; Sesame Street),
Arden Myrin (Mad TV, Reno 911),
Brian Patacca (Minor Gods), and
Julie Sharbutt (Shakespeare In The Park: Twelfth Night).
Gravid Water is directed, co-stars, and is hosted by Stephen Ruddy,
and is one of the finest comedy productions in New York.
If you want to introduce an actor friend to the world of improv, start with this wonderful show.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Morgan Murphy and Anthony Jeselnik
Tell Your Friends: The Writers of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
This long-running weekly comedy show is produced and hosted by Liam McEneaney
(VH1's Best Week Ever, Comedy Central's Premium Blend,
former writer for Standup Nation with Greg Giraldo).
Tonight's wonderful guests are the writers of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon:
Anthony Jeselnik (phenomenal comic specializing in darkly shocking jokes and one of
my favorite stand-ups ever; staff writer for NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents 1/2-hour special, HBO's Down & Dirty, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, MTV's Most Valuable Players; for hilarious stand-up videos, please click here),
Morgan Murphy (acclaimed LA comic now moved to NYC to be staff writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon; Comedians of Comedy; Variety's 2007 "Top 10 Comics to Watch;" Comedy Central's Premium Blend; Last Call with Carson Daly; former long-time writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live, and for Crank Yankers; for sample stand-up videos, please click here and here and here),
AD Miles (head writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Dog Bites Man, Reno 911, TV Funhouse, Human Giant, Tim & Eric, Law & Order; feature films Role Models, Wet Hot American Summer, The Ten, The Baxter, The Believer), and
Ali Waller (staff writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon; former writer for Comedy Central's The Showbiz Show with David Spade).
8:00ish pm at Lolita Bar, 226 Broome Street (between Allen and Orchard Streets); tickets are $5
Nearest subway stops are Delancey Street via the F or Delancey-Essex via the J/M/Z
John Oliver and John Morrison
John Morrison, a wise & razor-sharp comic who produces the NYC weekly
open mic show Ochi's Motel, welcomes a mix of veteran & rising stand-up talents in this monthly showcase.
Tonight, however, is a blowout collection of powerhouse talent. The headliner is
John Oliver (genius who's one of the very finest—and nicest—stand-up comics in the biz;
delightful & hilarious star news correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;
superb hour-long Comedy Central special Terrifying Times; co-writer/star
of The Department for BBC Radio 4, and host/star of BBC stand-up radio show Political Animal).
And the other guests include some of the sharpest stand-ups in NYC:
Jared Logan (hilarious kinetic comic; Comedy Central's Live at Gotham; named Best Comedian by the Chicago Comedy Awards; won Detroit's contest for Comedy Idol; for stand-up video about fast food and comic books, please click here; for set on scary things, including toy ads for girls, please click here),
Claudia Cogan (MTV, Logo Network, here! TV, Sirius OutQ; for stand-up video about Claudia's aspirations to be a stripper, please click here; for video about her being unemployed, please click here),
Mike Drucker (freelance writer for Saturday Night Live, The Onion, McSweeney's, 23/6, Black20; winner of Disney's 2007 So You Think You're Funny competition and performer on Comedy Central's The Watchlist; for Drucker's explanation of how life is like video games and comic books, please click here; and to learn why Drucker's girlfriend wouldn't give him a gold star, please click here),
Sean Donnelly (XM Radio; host of weekly NYC live comedy show Lil' Seany Boy and co-host of weekly NYC open mic live comedy show Ochi's Motel; member of sketch comedy & funny short film troupe Don't Touch Me There; for a stand-up video, please click here), and
Blaine Perry (co-host of NYC live comedy shows Don't Touch Me There and Ochi's Motel).
Please Note: This show will probably sell out.
It's therefore highly recommended that
you reserve seats by calling
(212) 989-9319.
8:30 pm at Cornelia Street Cafe, 29 Cornelia Street (between West 4th Street and Bleecker);
$10 for tickets, plus $7 drink minimum
Matt McCarthy's Sketch Comedy and I Laughed Until I Died
Two intriguing comedy shows for a mere five bucks.
First up is a one-man sketch show by Matt McCarthy (razor-sharp stand-up who's performed on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham; won 2009 ECNY Award for Best Performance in a Commercial for his work as the Verizon FIOS Guy; co-host of NY live comedy extravaganza The Matt and Katina Show; for stand-up videos about unsolicited advice and measuring love, please click here and here).
The double-bill then continues with a series of five funny horror tales under the umbrella title I Laughed Until I Died. To view a trailer for the show, please click here.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Wyatt Cenac, Joe Mande, and John Mulaney
Whiplash with Leo Allen: The Finest in Stand-Up Comedy, Free
Leo Allen is out of town tonight. But guest-hosting is someone fully capable of filling Leo's spot:
John Mulaney (one of the finest stand-up comics in the country; since August 2008 has been staff writer for Saturday Night Live; frequently appears on VH1's Best Week Ever; performed stand-up twice on Late Night with Conan O'Brien; just aired his first Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; won the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Male Stand-Up Comedian; selected by Variety as among the 10 Comics to Watch for 2008; just released his first comedy CD, The Top Part; to check out videos of John's two Conan sets, please click here and here).
Tonight's wonderful guests include
Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; cast member on upcoming HBO Kanye West show; star of indie feature film Medicine for Melancholy; former staff writer/editor for three years on King of the Hill; for a blacks vs. gays competition, please click here) and
Joe Mande (winner of the 2008 ECNY Award winner for Best Emerging Comic; co-host of superb NYC live comedy show Totally J/K; comedic play Workdays with Maury; just signed book deal with St. Martin's Press based on his blog Look at This Fucking Hipster; for some video samples, please click here and here and here).
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 7/28/09
Heather Fink and Michael Showalter (Sweet), and John Oliver (Punch Up Your Life and Sweet)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
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 Broadway Motel (6:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] Marvel Comics writer Stuart Moore (Wolverine: Noir), and Marvel & DC Comics writer Ivan Brandon (Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape, Viking) joining in on a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),
four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Robber DeCoster, Ragnaröck, The Scam, Badman, and Bastian—followed by UCBT students at all levels performing with improv veterans, all at Harold Night (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] John Oliver (star correspondent of The Daily Show and genius stand-up comic), Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson, concert film The Awkward Kings of Comedy), performing at the final summer 2009 edition of this free show hosted by brilliant stand-ups Jessi Klein (Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN, Adult Swim) and Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1's Best Week Ever, The New Yorker): Punch Up Your Life (8:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] John Oliver (star correspondent of The Daily Show and genius stand-up comic), Michael Showalter (co-star of Comedy Central's Michael and Michael Have Issues; MTV's The State, legendary comedy troupe Stella, writer/director/star of feature film The Baxter, co-writer/co-star of feature film Wet Hot American Summer), Natasha Leggero (Jay Leno, Craig Ferguson, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Reno 911!, and The Sarah Silverman Program; It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), and Heather Fink (MTV, Adult Swim, CollegeHumor.com, Dr. Phil, co-host of Street Meat) performing at the wonderful Seth Herzog's Sweet (9:00 pm),
and delightful stand-up comics Jackie Monahan, Leah Dubie, Amy Beckerman, and Gloria Bigelow performing and hosting guest comics Joanne Filan, Pat Galante, and Adrienne Iapalucci at Dykes on Mics (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.
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
Hosted by Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler and Pete LePage,
who enjoy discussing comic books while getting laughs.
Tonight's industry guests are Marvel Comics writer Stuart Moore (Wolverine: Noir, The Escapist), and Marvel & DC Comics writer Ivan Brandon (Marvel Comics Presents, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion, Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape, Viking).
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.) Please also check out the YouTube version of the show by clicking here.
Also be sure to watch a tale about Wolverine's powers from sketch duo Greg & Lou by clicking here; a Penguin vs. Batman debate that uncannily predicted John McCain's campaign strategy by clicking here; and a Green Lantern sneak peak by clicking here.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
The Harold is longform improv, pioneered by Del Close.
Tonight, five improv troupes—
DeCoster, Ragnaröck, The Scam, Badman, and Bastian—
each give it a go for 30 minutes, with
short breaks in between, for a total of 3 hours.
And at 11:00 pm there'll be The Lottery, in which UCBT students
at
all improv levels get a chance to perform on stage with improv veterans.
Some of these 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.
This show is perennially sold out of seats; but if you're okay
with standing,
come
and laugh with a boisterous packed house.
8:00-midnight pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
John Oliver and Hannibal Buress...
...and brilliantly funny hosts Pete Holmes and Jessi Klein
This free weekly stand-up show is a spectacular addition to NYC Tuesday night comedy. Its hosts are two of the finest comics in the country:
Jessi Klein (deliciously honest, brilliant, hilarious stand-up star—and now also proving to be, along with Pete, among the finest comedy hosts in NYC; 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) and
Pete Holmes (one of the quickest & sharpest minds in comedy; VH1's Best Week Ever, Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Motherload; 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;
for a hilarious range of videos, please click here).
Tonight's thoroughly wonderful guests are
John Oliver (genius who's one of the very finest—and nicest—stand-up comics in the biz;
delightful & hilarious star news correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;
superb hour-long Comedy Central special Terrifying Times; co-writer/star
of The Department for BBC Radio 4, and host/star of BBC stand-up radio show Political Animal),
Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson; concert film The Awkward Kings of Comedy), and
James Bewley (creator of DaleRadio).
Please note: This is the last installment of Punch Up Your Life for the summer. To celebrate its spectacularly successful first year, there will be an after-show party with free beer, wine, and snacks. As always, admission is entirely free.
8:30 pm at Housing Works’ Bookstore Café, 126 Crosby Street (bet. Prince & Houston); free
Nearest subway stops are Bleecker Street on the #6 and Broadway-Lafayette on the B/D/F/V
John Oliver...
...and Seth Herzog, MIchael Showalter, and Natasha Leggero
Hosted by the razor-sharp, dynamic, and hilarious Seth Herzog (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, VH1's Best Week Ever and The Great Debate).
Seth is one of the finest hosts around—and this is one of the best comedy shows in NYC.
Tonight's wonderful guests are
John Oliver (genius who's one of the very finest—and nicest—stand-up comics in the biz;
delightful & hilarious star news correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;
superb hour-long Comedy Central special Terrifying Times; co-writer/star
of The Department for BBC Radio 4, and host/star of BBC stand-up radio show Political Animal),
Michael Showalter (one of the sharpest comedy minds in the biz; co-star of Comedy Central's Michael and Michael Have Issues; MTV's seminal sketch show The State, legendary comedy troupe Stella, writer/director/star of feature film The Baxter, co-writer/co-star of feature film Wet Hot American Summer),
Natasha Leggero (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Reno 911!, and The Sarah Silverman Program; It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia; for stand-up video, please click here; for reel, please click here),
Heather Fink (unforgettably quirky stand-up nominated for a 2008 ECNY Award; MTV's Nick Cannon's Short Circuitz, Adult Swim's Fat Guy Stuck in Internet, CollegeHumor.com, Dr. Phil; co-host of monthly NYC live comedy show Street Meat; for videos demonstrating Heather's acting skills, please click here and here).
9:00 pm at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street (corner of Stanton Street); tickets are $5
Gloria Bigelow, Amy Beckerman, Leah Dubie, and Jackie Monahan
Free gay-themed stand-up comedy show featuring the superb gals above
as regulars/hosts, plus these NYC comics as guests:
Joanne Filan, Pat Galante, and Adrienne Iapalucci.
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)
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 7/29/09
Kate McKinnon (Best Actress), Dave Attell (ComedyJuice), and Pete Holmes (The Daily Show & Friends and ComedyJuice)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[FREE] six free hours of improvisation in The PIT's Super Free Wednesday (6:00 pm-midnight),
[TOP PICK] brilliantly funny character actress Kate McKinnon (co-star of Logo's Big Gay Sketch Show) debuting her exciting new one-woman show about the entertainment biz (Five women, one f*cked up industry.), plus a comedic play with music, dancing, and fisting from Mary Elizabeth Ellis & Artemis Pebdani, in the double-bill Kate McKinnon: Best Actress and Mother May I Dance with Mary Jane's Fist? (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] John Oliver (stand-up comedy genius and star correspondent of The Daily Show), Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show, cast member of upcoming HBO Kanye West show), Pete Holmes (one of the very best stand-ups in the country; warm-up comic for The Daily Show; Comedy Central,VH1's Best Week Ever, The New Yorker, co-host of hit show Punch Up Your Life), and JR Havlan (five-time Emmy Award-winning staff writer of The Daily Show) performing stand-up with Co-Executive Producer of The Daily Show Rory Albanese at The Daily Show and Friends (8:00 pm),
[FREE] sharp NYC comics Pat O'Shea, Lisa Kaplan, Joe Pontillo, Joel Stice, Mangina, and Lisa Haim at a free weekly show hosted by Sharon "Mama" Spell: Shrink (8:00 pm),
[FREE] Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson, concert film The Awkward Kings of Comedy), Jesse Popp (Comedy Central, Beauty Bar Comedy), Greg Barris (Heart of Darkness, MTV's All That Rocks), and Bob Powers (author of new humor book The Terrible, Horrible, Temp-to-Perm Debacle) at a free weekly Brooklyn extravaganza hosted tonight by Gabe Liedman and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] a show featuring rejected material and the associated tales of woe from top writers and comedic performers—who tonight include Margot Leitman, Will Leitch, Eliot Glazer, and Andy Ross—at Jon Friedman's The Rejection Show (9:30 pm),
[MEGA-TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] a not-to-be-missed monthly event, this powerhouse showcase for star stand-ups at the elegant Comix Comedy Club tonight features Dave Attell (comedy superstar; Comedy Central's Insomniac with Dave Attell, Comedy Central Presents; multiple appearances on David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Howard Stern, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn), Pete Holmes (one of the very best stand-ups in the country; warm-up comic for The Daily Show; Comedy Central, VH1's Best Week Ever, The New Yorker, co-host of hit show Punch Up Your Life), Christian Finnegan (three Comedy Central specials, commentator on MNBC's Countdown with Keith Oberman and VH1's Best Week Ever; Chappelle's Show, The Today Show), Godfrey (NBC's 30 Rock, Comedy Central Presents, VH1; films Zoolander, Original Gangsters, Soul Plane; 7 Up Yours ads), Jay Larson (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson), and The Greg Wilson (Comics Unleashed): Dave Attell, Pete Holmes, Christian Finnegan, Godfrey, and More at ComedyJuice (10:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 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 five hours every Wednesday, The PIT provides free shows featuring its improv house troupes. Halfbear and Ali Farahnakian kick things off at 6:00 pm; The Wilhelm and Tomahawk perform at 7:00 pm; Big Black Car and Mrs. Esterhouse go on at 8:00 pm; The Baldwins and Punch show their stuff at 9:00; and Party Lights and The Faculty (consisting of The PIT's superb improv instructors, including such talents as Ali Farahnakian, Kurt Braunohler, Ptolemy Slocum, Pat Shay, Kevin Scott, Chris Grace, and Rebekka Johnson) round out the evening at 10:00.
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.
6:00 pm-midnight at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); free
Kate McKinnon plays five anxious actresses hoping to win an Oscar
Kate McKinnon: Best Actress and Ellis & Pebdani: Mother May I Dance with Mary Jane's Fist?
The debut of an exciting one-woman show, plus a comedic play, all for a mere five bucks.
Kate McKinnon is a brilliant sketch comic & stand-up who "gets" both verbal and physical comedy down to her bones. Kate's been a stellar cast member for three seasons, and counting, of Logo TV's The Big Gay Sketch Show. Kate's also previously performed the delightful one-woman UCBT show Disenchanted ("Watch the beloved fairy princesses of your childhood pop a few Klonopins and eat themselves into a coma"). And Kate recently won Logo's Brink of Fame Comic award—but in all the ways that matter, Kate's already a star.
And stardom is the subject of the new one-woman show Kate's debuting tonight. It provides the perspectives of each of five very different female movie stars as they wait to hear which of them won the 2011 Academy Award for Best Actress. Expect dazzling acting from Kate...and, I'm guessing, a very interesting script.
The double-bill then continues with the debut of a comedic play about dancing, fighting, and fisting from writers/co-stars Mary Elizabeth Ellis (the waitress on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Artemis Pebdani (foul-mouthed Artemis on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia; for memorable audition video, please click here). The official description: "Mary Jane Stevens moves with her abusive mother to a new town to escape her abusive father. But the abuse doesn't stop there. She begins taking dance classes with the sensually abusive Delice Svensson and finds herself dancing for her life!" The show also features Jen Hammaker, Stephen Bel Davies, and Ian Unterman. Music and Direction is by Cormac Bluestone.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
John Oliver, Rory Albanese, and Wyatt Cenac
The Daily Show's co-executive producer & multiple Emmy Award winner Rory Albanese hosts this monthly stand-up comedy show, which features Daily Show writers and performers.
Tonight's lineup is subject to change, but the scheduled comics are
John Oliver (genius who's one of the very finest—and nicest—stand-up comics in the biz;
delightful & hilarious star news correspondent for The Daily Show;
superb hour-long Comedy Central special Terrifying Times; co-writer/star
of The Department for BBC Radio 4, and host/star of BBC stand-up radio show Political Animal),
Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show; cast member on upcoming HBO Kanye West show; star of indie feature film Medicine for Melancholy; former staff writer/editor for three years on King of the Hill; for a blacks vs. gays competition, please click here),
Pete Holmes (one of the quickest & sharpest minds in comedy; warm-up comic for The Daily Show; VH1's Best Week Ever, Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Motherload; 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;
co-host of smash hit Tuesday night comedy show Punch Up Your Life,
for a hilarious range of videos, please click here), and
JR Havlan (five-time Emmy Award-winning staff writer for The Daily Show).
This comedy club show is $20. There's also a two-item food or drink minimum (with tax & tip, figure another $13 or up).
To learn more and/or to order tickets, please click here.
8:00 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
tickets are $20, plus two-item food or drink minimum
Sharon Spell
This free weekly show features a mix of comedic storytelling, stand-up, and sketch hosted by Sharon "Mama" Spell.
Tonight's guests are Pat O'Shea, Lisa Kaplan, Joe Pontillo, Joel Stice, Mangina, and Lisa Haim.
8:00 pm at Otto's Shrunken Head, 538 East 14th Street (between Avenues A and B); free
Hannibal Buress and Jesse Popp...
...and hosts Gabe Liedman and Max Silvestri
Big Terrific, hosted by Gabe Liedman and Max Silvestri
Gabe Liedman & Jenny Slate (adorable and foul-mouthed comedy duo Gabe & Jenny; for Jenny's dating tips, please click here and here) and Max Silvestri (VH1's Best Week Ever, weekly podcast Best Night Ever, videos for 236.com) produce & host this free weekly Brooklyn show.
Jenny is in LA for a month or so pursuing the riches and fame she thoroughly deserves, so it'll be just the guys hosting tonight.
Tonight's fine guests are
Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson; concert film The Awkward Kings of Comedy),
Jesse Popp (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, co-host of weekly NYC live stand-up show Beauty Bar Comedy for 7 years running),
Greg Barris (MTV's All That Rocks; producer of comedy show Heart of Darkness), and
Bob Powers (author of the 2008 darkly comedic interactive adventure for adults You Are a Miserable Excuse for a Hero, which is a choose-your-own-ending book aimed at ambivalent 30-year-olds who are terrified of making choices: "The main character in this book is you, a 33-year-old actor/waiter with very little hope of ever being successful. With every day you are that much closer to giving up on your dreams and going to grad school, and every choice feels weighted with the possibility that it will send you down a path to failure. So you've been doing all you can to make no choices whatsoever. When the girl you went on a first date with last night has been kidnapped, it's up to you to save her. Each chapter ends with a pair of choices as to how the story should progress. Do you want to burst into the kidnappers' hideout and kill everyone in sight? Or do you want to just unplug your phone and get really drunk? It's your choices and your story, with over 30 different endings!" This is the first book in the Just Make A Choice! Adventure Series; just released is Book 2, The Terrible, Horrible, Temp-to-Perm Debacle).
8:00 pm doors, 8:30 pm show at Cameo, 93 North 6th Street (behind Lovin' Cup) in Brooklyn; free
Take the L subway to Bedford Avenue and walk two blocks; between Berry & Wythe
Margot Leitman and Jon Friedman
Jon Friedman hosts a delightful parade of rejected material
by exceptional writers and performers.
Tonight's guests include Margot Leitman, Will Leitch, Eliot Glazer, and Andy Ross.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Dave Attell...
...Pete Holmes and Christian Finnegan...
...and Godfrey and The Greg Wilson
ComedyJuice: Dave Attell, Pete Holmes, Christian Finnegan, Godfrey, and More
ComedyJuice is a popular & long-running comedy series in LA that's now also making a home for itself in NYC at the elegant Comix Comedy Club. Produced by Scot Richardson, this extraordinary monthly event hosts superstar national talent, as well as CA comics not often seen in NYC.
With only a few NYC performances to date, ComedyJuice has already become one of my all-time favorite shows. For example, two months ago Jim Gaffigan appeared unannounced and delivered one of the finest stand-up sets I've ever seen; and last month Bill Burr was every bit as great, becoming a force of nature for 30 minutes, and delivering a stand-up set so incredibly sharp and hilarious that my head is still buzzing from it.
Tonight's wonderful star stand-ups are
Dave Attell (one of the funniest and most popular comics in the country; star of Comedy Central's Insomniac with Dave Attell for four seasons; Comedy Central Presents special; multiple appearances on Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Howard Stern Show, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn; FOX's Arrested Development, NBC's Ed),
Pete Holmes (one of the quickest & sharpest minds in comedy; warm-up comic for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; VH1's Best Week Ever, Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Motherload; 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;
co-host of smash hit Tuesday night comedy show Punch Up Your Life,
for a hilarious range of videos, please click here),
Christian Finnegan (two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials and recent hour-long Comedy Central special Au Contraire; commentator on MNBC's Countdown with Keith Oberman and VH1's Best Week Ever; Chappelle's Show, The Today Show, host of TVLand's Game Time, former staff writer for Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn; comedy CD Two For Flinching; for stand-up videos on how to get rid of a boring guy and what your movie choices say about you, please click here and here),
Godfrey (NBC's 30 Rock, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, VH1, BET; films include Zoolander, Original Gangsters, Soul Plane, Johnson Family Vacation; spokesman for 7 Up Yours ad campaign),
Jay Larson (Variety's "Comics to Watch;" Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, CBS' Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson; AMC's Date Night; Web series The Steamer; star of film Nacho Mountain about underground competitive eating; for stand-up video about uncomfortable anniversaries, please kick here), and
The Greg Wilson (Comics Unleashed; for unsettling video about Teen Jesus, please click here).
Expect to laugh...a lot.
Please Note: You can get $5 off the $20 cover (i.e., pay just $15 per ticket) by ordering online using discount code LAFF. There's also a two-item food or drink minimum (with tax & tip, figure another $13 or up).
To learn more and/or to order, please click here.
10:00 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
tickets are $15 online using discount code LAFF, plus two-item food or drink minimum
Justin Purnell
Host Justin Purnell (The Colbert Report) 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 uniquely organic 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 beloved show—which has been running for over five years—can stay alive as a vibrant showcase.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 7/30/09
Dave Hill: Big in Japan, David Cross (Comedy Below Canal), and Ben Rodgers (Cage Match)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] Dave Hill debuting what promises to be a very special show about his popularity overseas: Dave Hill: Big in Japan (6:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] two of the sharpest & most respected comics in NYC, Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler, honing a show they'll be performing at this August's Edinburgh Festival: Hot Tub Variety (8:00 pm),
sharp improvisors directed by James Eason "take an audience suggestion and break it into a million funny pieces" in The Deconstruction (8:00 pm),
clever wordplay, conceptual comedy, and relentless silliness—applied to a parody of the already-goofy film Con Air—from sketch troupe Elephant Larry (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] TV & movie comedy stars David Cross, Arj Barker, Wyatt Cenac, and Jon Glaser performing stand-up in a star-studded show hosted by Bobby Tisdale at the 92YTribeca comedy showcase Comedy Below Canal (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] and two vibrant improv troupes, Death by Roo Roo and Froduce, in a battle to win audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).
Dave Hill is one of the most original and hilariously sharp alternative comics in the country. Dave's 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; and written and performed for VH1, Spike TV, The Learning Channel, IFC, and Smoking Gun TV. Dave also creates comedic short films for both SuperDeluxe.com and Bud.com; for some of his best work, please click here.
Dave says, "Sometimes I miss being able to walk into the free clinic and stuff without being harassed by people who watch television really late at night, but for the most part I gotta say this 'fame thing' suits me well. Really, really well." Indeed it does.
Tonight Dave debuts a show about his popularity overseas.
To learn more, please click here and here.
I'm guessing this will be great.
Also on this double-bill is a one-man show from Nick Zimmerman, who previously performed the popular UCBT one-man show Out of Africa My Mind.
6:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC comedy royalty Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler
Hot Tub Variety is a beloved comedy show which ran for years to huge audiences in the Lower East Side. It's now drawing even larger crowds for its new weekly run on Thursdays at UCBT, hosted by two phenomenally talented writer/performers:
Kristen Schaal (lovely, brilliant, breathtakingly talented writer/actress/comic;
thoroughly delightful correspondent and shining star on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;
co-star of HBO's Flight of the Conchords; writer for MTV's Human Giant;
AMC's Mad Men; upcoming feature film Cirque du Freak (with Salma Hayek);
co-star of Web & upcoming UK TV series Penelope: Princess of Pets; winner of numerous comedy awards, including the prestigious 2nd Annual Andy Kaufman Award and the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Female Stand-Up; to read about Kristen's killer set headlining at Comix, please click here) and
Kurt Braunohler (Kristen's frequent comedy partner, performing sketches that are hilariously indescribable; Comedy Central; co-star of Web & upcoming UK TV series Penelope, Princess of Pets, for which Kurt won the 2008 ECNY Award as Best Director).
Kristen & Kurt are currently focused on honing a show they'll be performing at this August's Edinburgh Festival. They'll therefore be doing more-or-less the same show each Thursday, while trying out new bits and variations to see what works best.
Come see this duo weave their special comedy magic before they head off to sold-out performances in the UK.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
James Eason
Sharp improvisors, some of whom are former members of legendary improv troupe Mother, "take an audience suggestion and break it into a million funny pieces." This new comedy group consists of Frank Bonomo, Paul W. Downs, Jesse Falcon, Jessica Elaina Eason, Alan Fessenden, Rachel Hamilton, Louis Kornfeld, Alex Marino, Doug Moe, Chet Siegel, Lauren Strope, and is directed by James Eason.
8:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Elephant Larry Presents Con Air
Elephant Larry (above) is a NYC-based sketch group consisting of Geoff Haggerty, Stefan Lawrence, Chris Principe, Jeff Solomon, and Alex Zalben (former artistic director of The PIT, co-host of the fabulous Comic Book Club, and co-producer of the spectacular annual SketchFest NYC). The troupe specializes in conceptual humor, silliness, and wordplay—for example, demonstrating that a caveman and the Cookie Monster sound remarkably alike when saying such things as "Me have problem with subject/verb placement..." For videos about a sci-fi version of Beckett and using Adobe Photoshop, please click here and here.
Tonight's show revolves around an already-goofy movie, the 1997 Jerry Bruckheimer blockbuster Con Air. The guys clearly love the film, though, and if anything pay too much respect to it via sketches that parody scenes you might not remember even if you've seen Con Air recently. I'd prefer the smart, witty, observant guys of this troupe set their sights higher than an easily forgettable airplane flick; but it's always nice to see them performing on stage...and particularly in wigs and dresses.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Arj Barker and David Cross
Comedy Below Canal: David Cross, Arj Barker, Wyatt Cenac, Jon Glaser, and Bobby Tisdale
This star-studded show is hosted tonight by Bobby Tisdale.
And its thoroughly wonderful guests are David Cross, Arj Barker, Wyatt Cenac, and Jon Glaser.
What more needs be said?
For more info and/or to order tickets, please click here.
9:00 pm at 92YTribeca Mainstage, 200 Hudson Street (intersection of Canal & Hudson Streets); $12
Take the 1/6/E subway to Canal Street stop
vs.
Cage Match: Death by Roo Roo vs. Froduce
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.)
This season's champion, with 15 wins and counting, is one of the greatest troupes in improv history—Death by Roo Roo, consisting of uniformly brilliant comics Anthony Atamanuik, Neil Casey, John Gemberling, Curtis Gwinn, Gil Ozeri, Adam Pally, and Gavin Speiller.
DBRR was by far the winning-est group last season, trouncing 17 troupes in a row—handily breaking the previous Cage Match winning streak record of 14 set by Optimist International in 2002! It went on to win last season's Cage Match Championship with breathtaking skill and comedic grace. And it's repeating history this season, steamrolling over opponents with apparent ease.
I've had to miss most of Cage Match this season due to deadlines, but caught it last week—and it was one of the greatest shows I ever expect to see. Musical improv troupe Veal delivered a wonderful series of scenes & songs about airplanes, and proved it deserves more appearances on the UCBT stage. But then Curtis Gwinn, Gavin Speiller, John Gemberling, Adam Pally, and Gil Ozeri came on to perform improv about, of all things, a bake-off—and blew the roof off with almost superhuman skill, timing, and comedic mastery. The audience voted 130 to 59, which might make it seem the challeger wasn't so hot. In fact, Veal was superb; but the guys of Roo Roo are superstars.
Tonight's contender is Froduce (an abbreviation of Frozen Produce), which is an NYC sketch & improv troupe founded in April 2008 consisting of Katie Cunningham, Katie East, Eugene Ashton Gonzalez, James Ferrarella, Mike Fiedler, Vincent Milosevich, and James Robilotta. For a video of Froduce prepping for the match, please click here.
This evening's Cage Match is sold out of seats; but if you're okay with standing, come and enjoy with a boisterous packed house.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 7/31/09
About Last Night: Apologies for getting last night's Cage Match challenger wrong; it's Froduce (not Produce). For a revised listing, please click here.
And yes, Death by Roo Roo won (121-32). That's 16 in a row...and two wins away from DBRR breaking its own all-time record from last year. The next Cage Match is the last one for several weeks, and will certainly sell out; to reserve seats while they're still available, please click here.
And to catch Roo Roo in its own show tomorrow night (which also usually sells out), please click here.
Anne Altman (Misery Date), Louis C.K. (Headlining at Carolines), and sketch troupe Murderfist (Late and Dirty)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
five women performing an improvised, and possibly tipsy, parody of The View at Focus (7:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] superb storytellers Margot Leitman, Jon Friedman, Leah Dubie, and host Anne Altman tell dating horror stories at the fun new show Misery Date (7:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] one of the funniest storytellers alive, with an emphasis on tales of marriage and family, headlining tonight through Sunday at Carolines: Louis C.K. (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers (9:30 pm),
singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical (10:00 pm),
NYC's heavy metal version of a sketch troupe, providing odd, unsettling, and fearless dark comedy: Murderfist: Late and Dirty (11:00 pm),
sketch troupes Bleak! Comedy and The Straightmen competing for audience laughs & votes at Backyard Brawl (11:00 pm),
[FREE] and a free opportunity for you to perform improv with UCBT veterans at Jammin' with Ralph (12:20ish am).
This show is a parody of The View that's mostly improvised by performers Brigid Boyle, Emily Bryan, Nicole Cascio, Caroline Ficksman, and Alexis Saarela. The official description:
"Hey, Darlings! Come sit down with a cup of coffee (or perhaps a martini) and join the panel
of five of New York's most talkative and opinionated women as they discuss the week's events, and interview alluring guests from the worlds of literature, politics, comedy, and more.
This show will keep you in Focus. Let's talk about issues, over drinks!"
7:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Misery Date: Online, Blind, and Simply Ridiculous Dating Stories
This intriguing new show tells tales of dating gone awry. The official description:
"Are you single and frustrated? Perpetually the third wheel? Sexless and the City? Anne Altman (Mortified, diary blog Two Can Anne) feels your pain because she's experienced the lion's share of terrible dates in this town: Cheap Guy, Gross Guy, Dumb Guy, Silent Guy, Militant Zionist Guy, "No Doubt About It" Guy (his favorite phrase), Creepy Vasectomy Guy, Yoga Guy, Guy Who Smelled Like a Hamper, Yellow Rubber Bracelet Guy, and she could go on. Oh, and she will—-misery loves company, so she's invited some similarly disenchanted folks to share their miserable stories for a cathartic evening of laughs, pity, and a sliver of hope!"
Tonight's superb guest storytellers include Margot Leitman, Jon Friedman, Leah Dubie, and host Anne Altman.
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)
Louis C.K.
Louis C.K.: Headlining at Carolines
Louis C.K. is one of the most hilarious stand-ups and storytellers alive.
A comedian, TV writer, producer, and filmmaker, he's best known for creating and starring in HBO's first family sitcom Lucky Louie. But this 20-year veteran of stand-up is also a regular on the Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien—in fact, he was one of Conan's original staff writers.
Louis has also performed three stand-up comedy specials for HBO (the most recent being Louis C.K.: Shameless) and a Comedy Central Presents half-hour special.
As a writer and producer, Louis won an Emmy Award for his work on HBO’s The Chris Rock Show; and he co-wrote the Chris Rock feature film I Think I Love My Wife.
In addition, Louis both wrote and directed the cult feature film Pootie Tang.
The show is pricey at $49.00 plus a two-drink minimum.
But if you've got the cash, this is a good way to spend it.
Please note that most of the performances are already sold out. At the time of this writing, though, seats are still available for a few shows.
To order tickets, please click here, and then click the green Buy Now button for the date and time you want.
8:00 pm & 10:30 pm at Carolines, 1626 Broadway (between 49th and 50th Streets);
$49.00 plus two-drink minimum
Back: Zach Woods, Bobby Moynihan, Andy Secunda, Michael Delaney, and Shannon O'Neil
Front: Chris Gethard, Silvija Ozols, and Will Hines
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.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10
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
Murderfist is essentially a heavy metal version of a sketch comedy group. (And if you think that's weird, just wait till you see them perform...) The troupe's dark comedy is often unsettling, but sometimes also exhilarating in the energy it generates.
The official description of tonight's show:
"Moments after setting off on their quest for one thousand testicles, Murderfist slipped between the cracks of reality. Somewhere between Seventh Avenue and the gates Hell, late night comedy festered and boiled. Witness as the stars align on the last Friday of every month and brand new sketch material spews from the inter-dimension truck stop that is Late and Dirty with Murderfist."
11:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $10
vs. 
Backyard Brawl: Bleak! Comedy vs. The Straightmen
This show pits two sketch comedy troupes against each other, with each group performing three sketches in hopes of garnering audience laughs & votes.
The brawl is hosted by Sidecar (talented & brave trio Alden Ford, Matt Fisher, and Justin Tyler; for a sample sketch about their interrogation technique, please click here).
Tonight's contenders are
The StraightMen (sketch troupe consisting of stand-up comics Rob O'Reilly, Barry Rothbart, and Nick Turner; for video about a robot roommate, please click here)
and last month's winner Bleak! Comedy.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
To perform improvisation at UCBT, you must spend years taking classes and carefully perfecting your craft...or you can come to this monthly free show, which allows audience members to jump on stage and participate!
Hosted by popular long-form improv troupe The Law Firm, which consists of superb talents Matt Fisher, Jonathan Gabrus, Sue Galloway, Fran Gillespie, Nate Lang, Thomas Middleditch, Matt Moses, and Gregory Tuculescu.
12:20ish am at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 8/1/09
It's August—and for me, that means it's time to start focusing on the New York International Fringe Festival, as one of my claims to small fame is seeing & reviewing more FringeNYC shows than anyone, ever. This year FringeNYC will run August 14th-30th, host 201 productions, and attract around 75,000 audience members. For my coverage, which has already begun and will be updated daily, please click here.
To provide enough time to devote to the Fringe, I'll be providing condensed comedy recommendations during August. On the up side, I'll be listing shows for two or more days at a time.
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with shows over $10 marked with $) include:
Louis C.K. is headlining at Carolines through Sunday
[$] 6:00 pm: Terrific storytellers Martin Dockery, Ryan Britt, Juliet Wayne, and Andy Christie try to fool the audience at Andy's The Liar Show
7:00 pm: Top female comics—Shayna Ferm, Sara Benincasa, Ali Wong, Jamie Lee, Abbi Crutchfield, Jiwon Lee, Chelsea White, and Meg Cupernall—performing at Lil' Seany Boy
7:30 pm: Improvisation from writers & performers at 30 Rock, The Colbert Report,and The Daily Show joyously declaring Let's Have a Ball
[$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm: One of the funniest storytellers alive, with an emphasis on tales of marriage and family, headlining tonight and Sunday at Carolines: Louis C.K.
8:00 pm: Gay white Jewish hip-hop comic Andrew Singer, a.k.a. soce the elemental wizard, throwing a release party at the Bowery Poetry Club for his first CD: Master of Fine Arts
9:00 pm: The gutsiest improv troupe in NYC, Death by Roo Roo
[$] 9:00 pm: Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer
9:30 pm: Sara Benincasa performing her one-woman show AGORAFABULOUS!
10:30 pm: All-star improv troupe Reuben Williams
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 7/26/19
Marc Maron performs tonight at The Comedians
[TOP PICK] [FREE at 9:30] 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm: UCBT's signature improv comedy extravaganza ASSSCAT 3000
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm: comedy legend Marc Maron, Cassidy Henehan, Julia Segal, and other superb stand-ups at a weekly LES show at Pianos hosted by Greg Johnson & Jacqueline Novak: The Comedians
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Bobby Miyamoto, Mike Trainor, Leah Bonnema, and Phil Murphy performing at RG Daniels' free weekly show at Three of Cups' lounge: Sunday Night Stand-Up
[FREE] at 9:00 pm: Roger Hailes, Chris Jurek, Nick Turner, and Ryan Conner performing at Vince Averill's & Jesse Popp's free stand-up show Beauty Bar Comedy
[FREE] 10:00 pm: human dynamo Ali Wong, Scott Ryan, Lori Summer, and Mehran performing stand-up at a free gay-themed show hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
Copyright © 2009 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
