NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 3/30/09
Kurt & Kristen (Tell Your Friends), and a spectacular gathering of NYC's finest comics at The Pete Holmes Roast
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 Ochi's Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] magical comedy duo Kristen Schaal (The Daily Show, HBO's Flight of the Conchords) & Kurt Braunohler (Penelope, Princess of Pets; 2008 ECNY Award for Best Director), Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show), Ophira Eisenberg (brilliant storyteller; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime), Matt Goldich (writer for VH1's Best Week Ever; Comedy Central), and more at Liam McEneaney's free Tell Your Friends (8:00ish pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] Glenn Wool (UK-based comedy star), Sam Brown (Whitest Kids U' Know), Adam Newman (Street Meat), Mark Normand (We're All Friends Here), Chessley Calloway, Hilary Schwartz, videos by Happy Sunshine Kung Fu Flower, and more at a free weekly variety show in Brooklyn hosted by endearing dark comedy stand-up Jena Friedman: Entertaining the Bartender (9:00 pm),
[MEGA-TOP PICK] [FREE] and a blowout spectacular featuring some of the finest comics in the country—Leo Allen (Roastmaster), Todd Barry, Anthony Jeselnik, Jessi Klein, John Mulaney, Kumail Nanjiani, TJ Miller, Seth Herzog, and more—honoring one of the most quick-witted, organic, and hilarious stand-ups to ever light up a stage: The Pete Holmes Roast (11:00 pm).
Lottery-style open mic for stand-up comics trying out material,
with 4½ minutes per performer...in return for a $5 contribution to the weekly prize kitty.
(In addition, Ochi's 1-item food or drink minimum applies to everyone.)
A breathtaking 25 comics perform in this 2½ hour show; producer
John Morrison (above) has described it as "comedy on crack."
If you're seeking consistent laughs, this might not be the best way to spend
your evening. But if you're patient and adventurous, it's a potentially wild ride.
And if you're a performer looking for some stage time, it's a nice opportunity.
Plus if you stick around till the show's end to support your fellow comics,
you have a chance at winning the cash from the kitty, along with smaller prizes.
There are two shows, at 6:30 and 9:00 pm (with entirely different sets of comics).
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)
Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler...
...and Ophira Eisenberg, Liam McEneaney, and Wyatt Cenac
Tell Your Friends: Kurt & Kristen
This free weekly comedy show is produced by Liam McEneaney
(VH1's Best Week Ever, Comedy Central's Premium Blend,
former writer for Standup Nation with Greg Giraldo).
Tonight's host is Sean Donnelly.
And tonight's wonderful guests are:
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;
Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; AMC's Mad Men;
upcoming feature film Cirque du Freak (with Salma Hayek);
co-star of Web video 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),
Kurt Braunohler (frequent comedy partner of Kristen Schaal, performing sketches that are hilariously indescribable; Comedy Central; co-star of Web series Penelope, Princess of Pets, for which Kurt won the 2008 ECNY Award as Best Director, and which is being turned into a UK TV series),
Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; cast member on upcoming HBO Kanye West show; star of upcoming 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).
Ophira Eisenberg (sharp stand-up and brilliant storyteller; Comedy Central's Premium Blend, VH1's Best Week Ever, Showtime's Queer as Folk; The Guardian),
Matt Goldich (writer for VH1's Best Week Ever; Comedy Central's Premium Blend, NY1's The Call, contributor to book Bar Mitzvah Disco; for a stand-up sample, please click here),
and musical guest Pete Fitzpatrick.
8:00ish pm at Lolita Bar, 226 Broome Street (between Allen and Orchard Streets); free
Nearest subway stops are Delancey Street via the F or Delancey-Essex via the J/M/Z
Glenn Wool, Sam Brown, 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
Glenn Wool (UK-based comedy star), Sam Brown (Whitest Kids U' Know), Adam Newman (Street Meat), Mark Normand (We're All Friends Here), Chessley Calloway, Hilary Schwartz, videos by Happy Sunshine Kung Fu Flower.
9:00 pm at Public Assembly (70 North 6th Street) in Williamsburg Brooklyn; free
Take the L subway to Bedford Avenue; cross streets are Wythe and Kent
Comedy geniuses Todd Barry, Jessi Klein, and John Mulaney...
...and comedy geniuses Anthony Jeselnik, Pete Holmes, and Kumail Nanjiani
Todd Barry, John Mulaney, Anthony Jeselnik, and More: The Pete Holmes Roast
Some of the funniest comics in the country gather tonight for the opportunity to make fun of one of the most lightning-fast and organic stands-ups to ever grace a stage:
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;
co-host of smash hit new Tuesday night comedy show Punch Up Your Life;
for a hilarious range of videos, please click here).
Celebrating Pete by poking fun at him will be a breathtaking group of comedic talent:
Leo Allen (Roastmaster), Todd Barry, Anthony Jeselnik, Jessi Klein, John Mulaney, Kumail Nanjiani, TJ Miller, Seth Herzog...and more!
You might expect to pay $40-$60 for a show like this. And it would be worth it.
However, it's entirely free.
Please reserve your tickets before all the seats are gone by clicking here.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 3/31/09
Hannibal Buress (Sweet) and TJ Miller (Punch Up Your Life)
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] five assistant editors at Marvel Comics—Alejandro Arbona, Tom Brennan, Daniel Ketchum, Lauren Sankovich, and Jordan D. White—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
Whorenado, Ragnaröck, The Scam, Bastian, and Bangs—at Harold Night (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] TJ Miller (David Letterman, ABC's Carpoolers, film star), Gabe Liedman & Jenny Slate (co-hosts of Big Terrific), and other stellar comics performing at this spectacular 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] and Paul F. Tompkins (host of VH1's Best Week Ever), Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson), Dan Naturman (Last Comic Standing, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien), Greg Johnson (co-host of President Johnson), Nick Stevens (VH1), and more at the wonderful Seth Herzog's Sweet (9:00 pm).
Lottery-style open mic for stand-up comics trying out material,
with 4½ minutes per performer...in return for a $5 contribution to the weekly prize kitty.
(In addition, Broadway's one-item food or drink minimum applies to everyone.)
A breathtaking 25 comics perform in this 2½ hour show; producer
John Morrison (above) has described it as "comedy on crack."
If you're seeking consistent laughs, this might not be the best way to spend
your evening. But if you're patient and adventurous, it's a potentially wild ride.
And if you're a performer looking for some stage time, it's a nice opportunity.
Plus if you stick around till the show's end to support your fellow comics,
you have a chance at winning the cash from the kitty, along with smaller prizes.
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 guests are five assistant editors at Marvel Comics: Alejandro Arbona, Tom Brennan, Daniel Ketchum, Lauren Sankovich, and Jordan D. White.
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
The Harold is longform improv, pioneered by Del Close.
Tonight, five improv troupes—
Whorenado, Ragnaröck, The Scam, Bastian, and Bangs—
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
Film & TV star TJ Miller, adorably foul-mouthed comedy duo Gabe & Jenny...
...and brilliantly funny hosts Pete Holmes and Jessi Klein
This new, 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 proving to also be one of 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 include
TJ Miller (razor-sharp stand-up who's performed on Late Show with David Letterman and Opie & Anthony; co-star of ABC sitcom Carpoolers; co-star of hit movie Cloverfield, and upcoming comedy features She's Out of Your League and The Goods: the Don Ready Story), and
Gabe Liedman & Jenny Slate (adorable and foul-mouthed comedy duo Gabe & Jenny; co-hosts of NYC live comedy show Big Terrific; for hilarious Jenny video, please click here).
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
Hannibal Buress and Paul F. Tompkins...
...and Greg Johnson, Seth Herzog, and Dan Naturman
Hosted by the razor-sharp, dynamic, and hilarious Seth Herzog (VH1's Best Week Ever).
Seth is one of the finest hosts around—and this is one of the best comedy shows in NYC.
Tonight's superb guests include
Paul F. Tompkins (host of VH1's Best Week Ever; Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, The Daily Show, and The Root of All Evil; HBO's Mr. Show, Tenacious D, and Real Time with Bill Maher; ABC's Pushing Daisies; feature films include Anchorman, Magnolia, and Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny; for stand-up video about dogs, please click here),
Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson; upcoming concert film The Awkward Kings of Comedy),
Dan Naturman (Last Comic Standing, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents; for a stand-up video about commitment and the Internet, please click here),
Greg Johnson (sharp, quick-witted stand-up comic who co-hosts the weekly NYC live comedy show President Johnson),
Nick Stevens (VH1's All Access; Boston fan Fitzy on ESPN; hosted 2001-2007 NYC live comedy production The Shark Show),
and more.
9:00 pm at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street (corner of Stanton Street); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 4/1/09
Todd Barry (Big Terrific), John Oliver (Friends of The Daily Show), and Jamie Lee (Now We're Talking)
Comedy stars Janeane Garofalo and Mike Birbiglia (Totally J/K) and Anthony Jeselnik (Now We're Talking)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[FREE] five free hours of improvisation in The PIT's Super Free Wednesday (7:00 pm-midnight),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] brilliant star stand-ups Todd Barry (David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central, The Wrestler), Anthony Jeselnik (staff writer for Jimmy Fallon; HBO, Comedy Central), and Kumail Nanjiani (Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report) at a free weekly Brooklyn extravaganza hosted by Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate, and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:00ish pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] Pete Holmes (one of the quickest & sharpest minds in comedy; VH1's Best Week Ever, Comedy Central, The New Yorker, co-host of smash hit Tuesday night live comedy show Punch Up Your Life), Jared Logan (hilarious kinetic comic; Comedy Central), Taylor Williamson (extremely likeable zen-like comic; CBS' Craig Ferguson), Jamie Lee (VH1.com's Best Night Ever, Collegehumor.com, Life & Style), and more at a new free weekly comedy show hosted by Matt Maragno & the luminous Margie Kment: Now We're Talking (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] John Oliver (stand-up comedy genius and star correspondent of The Daily Show),
Adam Lowitt (Daily Show producer, host of This Is It!), and much more at a stand-up
show from Co-Executive Producer of The Daily Show: Rory Albanese and Friends (8:00 pm),
[FREE] NYC stand-ups DJ Hazard, Brian Longwell, soce the elemental wizard, Julie Perkins, Sue Funke, and Chris Conway at the free Shrink (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] an hour-long play made up on the spot by razor-sharp, passionate improvisors Scott Adsit (30 Rock, Moral Orel) and Christina Gausas (Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report) at Adsit & Gausas (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).
For details, please click here.
HyReviews.com's Videos of the Month:
Brilliant & Beloved NYC Comics in Prime Time—
Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, and Aubrey Plaza
in NBC's Parks and Recreation, and
Demetri Martin in Comedy Central's Important Things
Has Amy Poehler Ever Looked More Beautiful?
The Prince and the Pauper—with John Oliver!
Lost Footage of The Prince and the Pauper
Demetri on Things Greater Than or Equal To
Demetri on Walls, Babies, and Earthquakes
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. In honor of April Fool's Day, the improvisors have been randomly mixed together to form all-new groups—for one night only.
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
Comedy geniuses Todd Barry, Anthony Jeselnik, and Kumail Nanjiani...
...and co-hosts Gabe Liedman and Jenny Slate
Big Terrific, hosted by Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate, and 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 thoroughly wonderful guests are
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),
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),
Kumail Nanjiani (red-hot rising stand-up star; winner of the 2009 ECNY Awards for both Best Male Stand-Up and Best One-Person Show; Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, The Hot List , and Open Mic Fight; terrific one-man show Unpronounceable about experiences with Islam—for my review, please click here; co-host of monthly NYC live comedy show Game Bros. Live!; to get a feel for Kumail's style, please check out his very funny stand-up about the dark side of video games, odd memories, and the many ways cell phones are eliminated in horror films by clicking here).
8:00ish pm at Cameo, 93 North 6th Street (behind Lovin' Cup) in Williamsburg Brooklyn; free
Take the L subway to Bedford Avenue and walk two blocks; between Berry & Wythe
Pete Holmes and Jamie Lee...
...and Margie Kment, Jared Logan, and Taylor Williamson
This fun new weekly stand-up comedy show is hosted by luminous, enormously likeable, and razor-sharp Margie Kment, and character-based comic Matt Maragno.
Tonight's superb guests are
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;
co-host of smash hit new Tuesday night comedy show Punch Up Your Life;
for a hilarious range of videos, please click here),
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).
Taylor Williamson (quirky, fun, extremely likeable stand-up with zen-like appeal; CBS' Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson; for stand-up video about a pregnant mannequin, please click here' for stand-up video about who's the funniest in Taylor's family, please click here),
Jamie Lee (VH1.com's Best Night Ever; producer of monthly NYC live comedy show for shelter animals Diamonds in the Fluff; Archers of Ha, Collegehumor.com; writer for Life & Style Magazine's "Fashion Slip-ups"), and
Mike Lawrence (Florida's Nerd Comics).
8:00 pm at Rodeo Bar, 375 Third Avenue (corner of 27th Street); free
John Oliver, Rory Albanese, and Adam Lowitt
The Daily Show's Rory Albanese and Friends
The Daily Show's co-executive producer & multiple Emmy Award winner Rory Albanese produces this monthly show, which features Daily Show performers & staffers.
Tonight's lineup is subject to change, but the scheduled comics include
John Oliver (genius who's one of the very finest—and nicest—stand-up comics in the biz;
delightful & hilarious star correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;
superb 2008 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
Adam Lowitt (producer at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; host of NYC live comedy show
It Is It!; for a video stand-up sample, please click here).
This comedy club show has a $20 cover plus two-item food or drink minimum (with tax & tip, figure another $13 or up).
To learn more and/or to order, please click here.
8:00 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
$20 ticket plus two-item food or drink minimum
This free weekly show tonight features NYC stand-up comics DJ Hazard, Brian Longwell, soce the elemental wizard, Julie Perkins, Sue Funke, and Chris Conway.
8:00 pm at Otto's Shrunken Head, 538 East 14th Street (between Avenues A and B); free
Christina Gausas and Scott Adsit
Adsit & Gausas: Improvised One-Hour Play
A dynamo improv duo creates a one-act play on the spot "that can be hilarious and physical and heart-breaking and still—come and see for yourself."
The superb performers are
Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-director & cast member of Adult Swim's brilliant & Emmy-winning Moral Orel) and
Christina Gausas (sharp, passionate, standout improvisor/actress; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report, The Al Franken Show, Let's Have a Ball, Dorff & Gausas).
Where else are you going to see a razor-sharp play for just five bucks?
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Justin Purnell
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 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 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 4/2/09
Tonight offers a rare opporunity for an intimate hour with Mary Tyler Moore
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] [$] an intimate talk with a TV comedy legend: Mary Tyler Moore (8:00 pm),
Dave Ahdoot and Ethan Fixell relating their YouTube-documented romantic adventures
live on stage—possibly accompanied by visits from some of the gals—on Double Date Us (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] John Oliver (stand-up comedy genius and star correspondent of The Daily Show), Anthony Jeselnik (also a stand-up genius; staff writer for Jimmy Fallon; HBO, Comedy Central), Shayna Ferm (hilarious singer/songwriter & sketch performer), and more at Comedy Below Canal (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] Adira Amram (brilliant songwriter/singer/performer who parodies sexuality and pop culture), Jamie Lee (VH1.com's Best Night Ever, Collegehumor.com, Life & Style), and writer Mike Albo as guests on the best sexy storytelling comedy show in NYC: Margot Leitman's & Giulia Rozzi's Stripped Stories (9:30),
[TOP PICK] brilliant & sexy writer/singer Mindy Raf as her super-feminist character Leibya Rogers in the debut of what's likely to be a hilarious one-woman show: Leibya Fair (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and two vibrant improv troupes, The Stepfathers and Decoster, competing for audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).
A Conversation with Mary Tyler Moore
An intimate hour with TV comedy legend Mary Tyler Moore, followed by a book signing.
The official description: "Mary Tyler Moore is one of the most recognized actresses of the past 50 years. A seven-time Emmy Award winner, three-time Golden Globe winner, and Academy Award nominee, she's among the most decorated and beloved Hollywood figures of her generation, both on television and the big screen. She is also a long-time activist for diabetes research and currently serves as the International Chairperson of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She is the author of Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes, a revealing and often funny account of her life in Hollywood, as well as an inspiring memoir of the private challenges she has faced. She discusses both her public as well as private persona in this rare on-stage interview."
8:00 pm at 92nd Street Y, Lexington Avenue at 92nd; tickets are $27
Take the 4/5/6 subway to 86th Street stop
Dave and Ethan: Double Date Us
Dave Ahdoot and Ethan Fixell challenged pairs of women to double date them,
then documented the results on YouTube. Tonight they relate their tales live on stage...
along with guest appearances. "And possibly even a live date."
Please note: A ticket to this show buys you entree to The PIT's Valentine's Day Party at 11:00 pm (which otherwise costs $5).
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $10
John Oliver, Shayna Ferm, and Anthony Jeselnik
Thoroughly wonderful comics are performing tonight at 92YTribeca:
John Oliver (genius who's one of the very finest—and nicest—stand-up comics in the biz;
delightful & hilarious star correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;
superb 2008 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
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),
Shayna Ferm (brilliant, hilarious singer/songwriter; member of world-class sketch group Fearsome; comedic music album Blonde; for samples of Shay's songs, please click here),
and more.
9:00 pm at 92YTribeca Mainstage, 200 Hudson Street (intersection of Canal & Hudson Streets); $15
Take the 1/6/E subway to Canal Street stop
Margot & Giulia are two fun-lovin' gals...who are world-class storytellers
Stripped Stories: Spring Awakenings
Sexual storytelling with a comedic slant.
Tonight's theme is "Spring Awakenings."
Expect shocking and highly entertaining yarns from stellar guests
Adira Amram (brilliantly funny and sexy writer/singer; Jane Magazine Editors Choice; one-woman show at Ars Nova, Get Psyched!; for sample songs & videos, please click here),
Jamie Lee (VH1.com's Best Night Ever; producer of monthly NYC live comedy show for shelter animals Diamonds in the Fluff; Archers of Ha, Collegehumor.com; writer for Life & Style Magazine's "Fashion Slip-ups"), and
Mike Albo (writer for Gawker.com, author of The Underminer).
Plus there'll be hilarious tales from the two sensual hosts, Giulia Rozzi (MTV, VH1's Best Night Ever podcasts) and Margot Leitman (Late Night With Conan O'Brien, VH1, Spike TV); and "audience interviews, sex games, and hookups...hopefully."
Come to laugh, to get turned on, and to make choices you'll regret in the morning.
This is a wonderful show, and highly recommended.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
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Mindy Raf as her scary super-feminist character Leibya Rogers
Mindy Raf is a brilliantly funny and sexy writer/singer who's performed on
VH1's Best Week Ever, been a relationship columnist for CollegeHumor.com,
a comedy writer for WABC, an actor on SuperDeluxe.com's The Post Show,
and the author of several successful young adult novels.
Tonight, however, she plays her popular character Leibya Rogers, who likes to say such things as "When I sing, your soul jumps out of your body and nestles in between my legs" and "My nipples taste like tofu!" In this one-woman show, Leibya's hoping to bring her Feminist Music Festival, Leibya Fair, to the quiet all-American town of Uhrichsville Ohio, and she needs you to eat her baked goods, hear her musical poetry, and vote on whether or not the town's financial advisory board should grant her the money.
Mindy is a jewel, and this show—sight unseen—is highly recommended.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
vs.
Cage Match: The Stepfathers vs. The F*cking Kennedys
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's defending champion is The Stepfathers, consisting of some of the sharpest & funniest improv comics in the country: Michael Delaney, Chris Gethard, Will Hines, Bobby Moynihan, Shannon O'Neill, Silvija Ozols, Andy Secunda, and Zach Woods.
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 might not be participating tonight) since 2008 is a stellar cast member of Saturday Night Live.
Tonight's contender is DeCoster, which consists of highly talented veteran improvisors: Matt DeCoster (Monkeydick, Kill Your Darlings, two-man sketch show 7 Fights), Eric Bernat (Creep), Kirk Damato (Kill Your Darlings, Cagney, Blackout), Ryan Karets, Pamela Murphy (Kill Your Darlings), Megan Neuringer (Creep), Betsy Stover, and Ari Voukydis (Mark & Ari).
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 4/3/09
Kristen Schaal & friend (TV Pilot Reading), and Rob Riggle (Headlining at Carolines)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] magical comedy duo Kristen Schaal & Kurt Kurt Braunohler perform a reading—with English accents!—to test out the hilarity of their TV pilot to be aired on London's Channel 4: Penelope—Princess of Pets (8:00 pm),
[$] a former correspondent for The Daily Show and cast member of Saturday Night Live headlining at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Rob Riggle (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
[$] a hilarious 30 Rock star as part of tonight's lineups at Stand Up NY: Judah Friedlander and More (8:00 pm & 10:00 pm),
superb comics Leibya Rogers, Leah Dubie, Robert Keller, Anne Altman, and more at a gay-themed comedy show hosted by Jenny Rubin: The Back Room (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers (9:30 pm),
singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical (10:00 pm),
[$] a provocative comedy star who's written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle's Show and David Letterman, headlining at Carolines : Paul Mooney (10:00 pm & 12:30 am),
[TOP PICK] a comedic freestyle rap contest, tonight including all past winners!—Victor Varnado (Conan O'Brien), Carolyn Castiglia (VH1), Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report), Thomas Middleditch (Baby Wants Candy), Billy Scafuri (Harvard Sailing Team), and Amber Petty (Penny)—hosted by genius comedic musical hosts Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan (Freestyle Love Supreme) and Eliza Skinner (I Eat Pandas), at The BEATdown (11:00 pm),
and a free opportunity for you to perform sketch on the UCBT stage at Liquid Courage (12:20ish am).
Penelope Princess of Pets TV Pilot Reading
A one-time reading of a TV pilot from magical comedy duo Kurt & Kristen:
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 video 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) &
Kurt Braunohler (frequent comedy partner of Kristen Schaal, performing sketches that are hilariously indescribable; co-star of Web series Penelope, Princess of Pets, for which Kurt won the 2008 ECNY Award as Best Director, and which is being turned into a UK TV series).
These brilliant performers will be testing out their script for their half-hour pilot Penelope: Princess of Pets, which will eventually air on London's Channel 4. Everyone will read in English accents. How can you resist?
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $10
Rob Riggle: Headlining at Comix
Rob Riggle has been a correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, a cast member on Saturday Night Live....and a US marine.
Rob's also acted on Arrested Development, The Office, Human Giant, and the feature film Talladega Night; and is a beloved improvisor and sketch comic at both the NYC and LA UCB stages.
In addition, Rob's a hilarious, organic, honest stand-up whose act has in the past included an unforgettably hilarious routine about a typical male having sex.
This comedy club show has a $30 cover plus two-item food or drink minimum (with tax & tip, figure another $13 or up).
To learn more and/or to order, please click here.
8:00 pm & 10:30 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
$30 ticket plus two-item food or drink minimum
Judah Friedlander and More at Stand Up NY
Comedy club Stand Up NY's lineup tonight includes the hilarious Judah Friedlander, a very funny stand-up and occasional agent of chaos. Cast member of 30 Rock; performed on VH1’s Best Week Ever, HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, MTV’s Wonder Showzen, and NBC's The Tonight Show; acted in over 20 films, including such hit comedies as Meet the Parents, Zoolander, and Full Grown Men; nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his role in American Splendor.
When asked in an interview about his influences, Judah responded: "Audiences. They are often the forgotten ingredient in stand-up comedy. Stand-up is live entertainment, and a live audience is needed. Also, whatever is happening at the moment. I play off of that. The moment is a big influence. If you’re not playing the moment you’re not doing stand-up comedy–someone just reciting material but not responding with what’s going on in the room is not stand-up comedy."
This comedy club show is $15, plus a two-drink minimum (figure another $13 or up).
To learn more and/or to order tickets, please click here.
8:00 pm & 10:00 pm at Stand Up NY, 236 West 78th Street (off Broadway); $15 plus 2-drink min.
Jenny Rubin, Dave Rubin, Paul Case, and Shawn Hollenbach
Gay-themed comedy (with both gay & straight comics),
hosted by the charming Jenny Rubin (WE TV’s Cinematherapy and The Gutter).
Tonight's superb comics include
Leibya Rogers, Leah Dubie, Robert Keller, and Anne Altman,
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: 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
Paul Mooney: Headlining at Carolines
Fire-tongued comedy star Paul Mooney is performing tonight through Sunday at Carolines. Mooney's numerous credits include writing for Richard Pryor, Saturday Night Live, and In Living Color, and performing on Late Show with David Letterman and Chappelle's Show. For video samples, please click here and here.
This New York comedy club show has a $31 cover plus two-drink minimum (with tax & tip, figure another $13 or up).
To order tickets, please click here.
10:00 pm at Carolines, 1626 Broadway (between 49th and 50th Streets);
$31 ticket plus two-drink minimum
This lively show is a comedic freestyle rap competition.
(Think 8 Mile, only way funnier.)
It's hosted by two comedic musical geniuses:
Shockwave (Chris Sullivan, cast member of PBS' The Electric Company
and amazing human beatbox of Freestyle Love Supreme;
The Age wrote he "uses his mouth like a sound effects program that
no computer could possibly match for depth of stored data or
instantaneous retrieval." And Seth Herzog wrote, "One of the most entertaining
sound effect/comedic artists you'll ever see. He stole the show at the
closing night of Mo Pitkins," referring to a 3-hour blowout that Seth hosted
and that featured such artists as Moby!), and
Eliza Skinner (member of the genius improv musical groups I Eat Pandas
and Baby Wants Candy; drummer and singer in comedic alt band Stickerbook;
MTV's Damage Control).
Tonight's contestants are all past winners battling to win the first season's finals:
Victor Varnado (Conan O'Brien), Carolyn Castiglia (VH1), Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report), Thomas Middleditch (Baby Wants Candy), Billy Scafuri (Harvard Sailing Team), and Amber Petty (Penny).
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
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 4/4/09
Genius musical improv troupe Baby Wants Candy, way fun The Liar Show, and the hilarious Rob Riggle (Headlining at Comix)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] four sharp storytellers—tonight consisting of Leslie Goshko (delightful, razor-sharp standup, sketch performer and storyteller; Manhattan Monologue Champion; host of Sideshow Goshko), Martin Dockery (storyteller acclaimed as "fantastic" by The New York Times), Jeffrey Solomon (Moth GrandSlam Champion), and Joey Novick (Politics Unusual)—trying to mislead the audience at Andy Christie's way fun The Liar Show (6:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] star improvisation from writers & performers at 30 Rock, The Colbert Report,
and The Daily Show who joyously declare Let's Have a Ball (7:30 pm),
[$] a former correspondent for The Daily Show and cast member of Saturday Night Live headlining at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Rob Riggle (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
[FREE] sharp NYC comics at a free stand-up comedy show hosted by star sketch/improv troupe Derrick in Queens' Long Island City: This Is New York (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] one of my all-time favorite improv troupes—which in 2008 broke the UCBT improv competition record for winning streaks with 17 triumphs in a row, and this year delivered a magnificent performance to capture the Cage Match Championship—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] [DISCOUNTED] a musical made up on the spot from a magical Chicago improv group tonight concluding its current NYC run: Baby Wants Candy (10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] improvised furious action from world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer (10:30 pm),
five superb female comics who are also a terrific experimental cover band
interviewing a comedy celeb and rockin' the house as Stickerbook (midnight),
[$] and a provocative comedy star who's written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle's Show and David Letterman, headlining at Carolines : Paul Mooney (12:30 am).
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
Leslie Goshko (exceptionally sharp comedic actress/writer; 2008 Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion; host of monthly NYC live comedic storytelling extravaganza Sideshow Goshko; for Leslie's award-winning comedy bit about Internet dating, please click here; and for her bit on "the End Times Awareness Carnival," please click here),
Martin Dockery (acclaimed as "fantastic" by The New York Times; four-time The Moth Grandslam finalist; Talking Stick, Mouthpiece, one-man show Wanderlust),
Jeffrey Solomon (Moth GrandSlam Champion), and
Joey Novick (author of Politics Unusual).
The Liar Show was a smash hit at this August's Edinburgh Festival, and is highly 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
Becky Drysdale, Anthony King, Christina Gausas, and Tami Sagher
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
Rob Riggle: Headlining at Comix
Rob Riggle has been a correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, a cast member on Saturday Night Live....and a US marine.
Rob's also acted on Arrested Development, The Office, Human Giant, and the feature film Talladega Night; and is a beloved improvisor and sketch comic at both the NYC and LA UCB stages.
In addition, Rob's a hilarious, organic, honest stand-up whose act has in the past included an unforgettably hilarious routine about a typical male having sex.
This comedy club show has a $30 cover plus two-item food or drink minimum (with tax & tip, figure another $13 or up).
To learn more and/or to order, please click here.
8:00 pm & 10:30 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
$30 ticket plus two-item food or drink minimum
Donald Glover, DC Pierson, and Dominic Dierkes of Derrick
Derrick is three sharp and enormously appealing performers,
Dominic Dierkes, Donald Glover, and DC Pierson, who are sketch comedy
stars via their wildly popular YouTube videos—
for some samples, please click here and here and here—
and won the 2009 ECNY Award for Best Sketch Comedy Troupe.
The guys also completed a comedy feature film, which they
wrote, composed, and star in—and which recently premiered at Sundance!
(To view the trailer of Mystery Team, please click here.)
In this weekly free show in Queens' Long Island City, these impressively
multi-talented comics host a comedy showcase featuring NYC stand-ups
...and perform some stand-up and/or sketch themselves.
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
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. These winners of the prestigious 2009 Cage Match Championship are always razor-sharp, sometimes scary, and usually hilarious.
9:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10
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
Baby Wants Candy is a Chicago-based troupe that has wowed audiences around the world with their skill at creating a completely improvised hour-long musical. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment; even the song lyrics and the "choreography" are made up on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. For brief scenes from previous shows, please click here.
Please Note: Tickets are normally $20, but you can purchase them for just $12 by using discount code GWINN either at the door or online.
10:30 pm at Actors’ Playhouse, 100 7th Avenue South (south of Christopher Street);
tickets are only $12 (i.e., $8 off) with discount code GWINN
Anthony King demonstrates that in addition to running UCBT-NY brilliantly, he's a superb improvisor and actor. Joining him are stellar talents Eugene Cordero, Porter Mason, Lennon Parham, Ben Rodgers, Charlie Sanders, Eric Scott, Kate Spencer, Charlie Todd, and Joe Wengert. These improv stars tonight let "the gloves come off in a show that will give you a bloody nose from laughing so hard, and a bruise on your knee from slapping it the way people do when they laugh...Come get your head blown off as some of NYC's funniest improvisers attack the stage."
10:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10
Ted Greenberg: The Complete Performer
It would be hard to go wrong with a show from Ted Greenberg, the Emmy Award winning writer for seven seasons of Late Night with David Letterman. So it's not surprising this 30-minute act was a hit at this year's FringeNYC, often selling out performances.
The Complete Performer is a parody of typical NYC acts in small venues—improv, mind reading, card tricks, playing with the audience. It's essentially a comedy club act, but with gags in place of standard jokes. (If you're okay with having surprises spoiled, you can get a feel for Ted's approach by clicking here.)
Come enjoy quirky laughs from this seasoned pro; and hang out afterwards to chat with Ted, who's one of the friendliest Emmy winners you're ever likely to meet...and even promises to drive some audience members home!
Tickets are $15 at the door, or $15.50 online using discount code STIX (otherwise $18).
10:30 pm at Soho Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street (between 6th Avenue & Varick); tickets are $15
Stickerbook is a terrific experimental cover band whose members include some of the funniest women in NYC: Jen Hammaker (theremin, keys, vocals), Becky Poole (saw, accordion, guitar), Eliza Skinner (drums, accordion, vocals), Sue Galloway (guitar, keys, vocals), and Becky Yamamoto (keys, tambourine, vocals, beard). In addition to jammin', they typically interview a comedy luminary (past guests have included writers & performers from Saturday Night Live and The Colbert Report). Please sample their stuff via their MySpace page, and then come see them perform live this evening for a mere five bucks.
Midnight at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Paul Mooney: Headlining at Carolines
Fire-tongued comedy star Paul Mooney is headlining at Carolines. Mooney's numerous credits include writing for Richard Pryor, Saturday Night Live, and In Living Color, and performing on Late Show with David Letterman and Chappelle's Show. For video samples, please click here and here.
This New York comedy club show has a $31 cover plus two-drink minimum (with tax & tip, figure another $13 or up).
To order tickets, please click here.
12:30 am at Carolines, 1626 Broadway (between 49th and 50th Streets);
$31 ticket plus two-drink minimum
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 4/5/09
Rich Vos (The Comedians), Kate McKinnon (Electro Shock), and Andy Blitz (The Comedians)
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] [FREE] UCBT's playground for celebrities and ace improvisors,
ASSSSCAT 3000 (paid show at 7:30 pm, free show at 9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] a blow-up gathering of star comics—Andy Blitz (comedy genius; writer & performer for Conan O'Brien since 1999), Rich Vos (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central Presents, Tough Crowd, The View), DC Benny (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), and Bonnie McFarlane (David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents, HBO)—at what's often among the funniest free productions in NYC, from hosts Greg Johnson and Jacqueline Novak: The Comedians (8:00 pm),
typically some of the best comics in the biz joining comedy giant Eugene Mirman for his weekly shindig at Brooklyn's Union Hall: Tearing the Veil of Maya (8:00 pm),
[FREE] Mike Drucker (freelance writer for Saturday Night Live and The Onion), Keith Alberstadt (Last Comic Standing; contributing writer for SNL's Weekend Update and National Lampoon), Jamie Lee (VH1, Collegehumor.com, Life & Style), and Nick Cobb (AMC) at RG Daniels' free Sunday Night Stand-Up (8:00 pm).
[FREE] talented NYC comics at Vince Averill's & Jesse Popp's free show Beauty Bar Comedy (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] superb comics Kate McKinnon (hilarious cast member of Logo's Big Gay Sketch Show), Michelle Buteau (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), Brian Barry, and Zach Toczynskiat a free gay-themed show hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour (10:00 pm),
[$] and a provocative comedy star who's written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle's Show and David Letterman, tonight concluding his headlining run at Carolines: Paul Mooney (10:00 pm).
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre's signature show, which features a monologist telling stories based on audience suggestions and a group of top improvisers (sometimes including stars such as SNL's Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz) creating scenes based on the stories. There are two shows every Sunday which share the same format, but are otherwise entirely different because everything is improvised. The 7:30 pm show is $10; advance tickets might be sold out by the time you read this, but a limited number of seats are available at the door for
those who arrive early enough to nab 'em...and even more tickets are available for those willing to watch the show standing. The 9:30 show is free, with tickets distributed outside the theatre at 8:15 pm; but again, you may need to come early and wait on line to ensure getting into this first come, first served performance.
7:30 pm ($10) & 9:30 pm (free) at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue)
Rich Voss and Andy Blitz...
...and Greg Johnson and DC Benny
This is one of the best comedy shows in New York—and is entirely free.
It's hosted by sharp, quick-witted Greg Johnson (check out his hilarious blog by clicking here) and Jacqueline Novak (Comedy Central Live Tour, XM Radio, CollegeHumor.com; for "response to heckler" video, please click here).
Tonight's thoroughly wonderful guests include
Andy Blitz (comedy genius best known for being a writer and performer for
Late Night with Conan O'Brien since 1999; also a thoroughly unique stand-up
whose sets—ranging from talking peanut butter to jet-flying cats—tend to be unforgettable;
to read about Andy's memorable hosting of Crash Test at UCBT, please click here),
Rich Vos (star on two seasons of Last Comic Standing; Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; regular on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn; first white comic on Def Jam; wrote for Chris Rock; played Lenny Bruce on NBC's American Dreams; unlikely performer on The View; regular Opie and Anthony radio show),
DC Benny (Last Comic Standing finalist, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special
and Comedy Central's Premium Blend, The Chris Rock Show, Showtime at the Apollo, Friday Night Videos; TV and movie actor for Law & Order, The Cosby Show, Spider-Man 3, and Five Nights in Brooklyn), and
Bonnie McFarlane (Last Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents, HBO).
8:00 pm at Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street at Stanton; free
Eugene Mirman
If you live in Brooklyn, or simply don't mind going a few subway stops beyond Manhattan,
some of the best funny minds in New York can be found at this weekly show
run by comedy giant, and winner of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Host,
Eugene Mirman (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special,
Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Jump Cuts, HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1,
The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman and En Garde, Society! comedy albums; new book The Will to Whatevs: A Guide to Modern Life).
Tonight's guests haven't been announced, but they're usually stellar.
8:00 pm at Union Hall, 702 Union Street at 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn; tickets are $7
Take the R train to Union Street and walk 1 block east; or take
the F train to 4th Avenue, walk north on 4th Avenue and turn right on Union Street, and go 1 block up;
or take the 2/3/4/5/Q train to Atlantic Avenue, walk south on 5th Avenue, and make a left on Union Street.
Keith Alberstadt, Mike Drucker, and Jamie Lee
Sunday Night Stand-Up with RG Daniels
This free weekly stand-up comedy show features both established talents and up-and-comers. It's hosted by RG Daniels (sweetly quirky experimental comic; influences include Woody Allen and french fries; occasionally refers to himself as "Hanukah-face").
Tonight's terrific guests are
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),
Keith Alberstadt (Last Comic Standing; contributing writer for SNL's Weekend Update and National Lampoon; CMT, XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio; for a stand-up video about tiny shriveled balls, please click here),
Jamie Lee (VH1.com's Best Night Ever; producer of monthly NYC live comedy show for shelter animals Diamonds in the Fluff; Archers of Ha, Collegehumor.com; writer for Life & Style Magazine's "Fashion Slip-ups"), and
Nick Cobb (AMC's Date Night, member of sketch troupe Turn Left).
8:00 pm at Three of Cups downstairs lounge, 83 1st Avenue (off 5th Street); free
Vince Averill and Jesse Popp
This long-running free weekly comedy show is hosted by Vince Averill (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, DC Comedy Festival) and Jesse Popp (Comedy Central's Premium Blend).
Tonight's guests haven't been announced, but they're typically sharp NYC comics.
9:00 pm at Beauty Bar, 231 East 14th Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues); free
Michelle Buteau and Brad Loekle
The Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
Brad Loekle (cast member of TruTV’s weekly The Smoking Gun Presents, co-host of Sirius Radio’s weekly OUT Q, columnist for monthly magazine Key West Gay Rag) hosts this gay-themed weekly stand-up comedy show. It's entirely free if you're okay with standing; otherwise plan on ordering food or a drink if you prefer sitting at a table.
Tonight's superb stand-ups are
Kate McKinnon (sharp, witty actress who "gets" both verbal and physical comedy down to her bones; cast member of Logo TV's The Big Gay Sketch Show; delightful one-woman UCBT show Disenchanted: "Watch the beloved fairy princesses of your childhood pop a few Klonopins and eat themselves into a coma"),
Michelle Buteau (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central's Premium Blend;
for stand-up video about Utah, sharing, and tits, please click here),
Brian Barry, and Zach Toczynskiat.
10:00 pm at Therapy, 348 West 52nd Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues); free
Paul Mooney: Headlining at Carolines
Fire-tongued comedy star Paul Mooney is headlining at Carolines. Mooney's numerous credits include writing for Richard Pryor, Saturday Night Live, and In Living Color, and performing on Late Show with David Letterman and Chappelle's Show. For video samples, please click here and here.
This New York comedy club show has a $31 cover plus two-drink minimum (with tax & tip, figure another $13 or up).
To order tickets, please click here.
10:00 am at Carolines, 1626 Broadway (between 49th and 50th Streets);
$31 ticket plus two-drink minimum
Alternatively, consider seeing a funny and/or musical
Broadway, off-Broadway, or off-off-Broadway show.
To learn how theatre tickets can be purchased for around 50% off—
or, in some cases, for as little as $3.50 each—
please read Hy on Theatre Discounts.
And to learn about three fine low-cost productions
that are revivals of FringeNYC 2008 shows, please click here.
Copyright © 2009 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
