NYC Comedy Picks for Week of November 17, 2008

NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 11/17/08

Greg Johnson (Whiplash), and Glennis McMurray & Eliza Skinner (I Eat Pandas)

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

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

the perfect show for short attention spans—open mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set

and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours, tonight including Jena Friedman, Emily Epstein,

Vicky Kuperman, Margie Kment, Karen Batista, Dan Cartwright, Mark Normand, Sean Donnelly,

Blaine Perry, and John Morrison—at John Morrison's Ochi's Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] an entirely improvised musical from a genius improv duo (and among Eliza Skinner's

final NYC performances before moving to LA), and an improvised soap opera,

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

[TOP PICK] and a free weekly show featuring some of the finest comics in the country—tonight including two of the best comedy hosts in NYC, Seth Herzog (VH1, Sweet) and Greg Johnson (Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show)—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central) at Whiplash (11:00 pm).

Ochi's Motel

Lottery-style open mic for stand-up comics trying out material,

with 4½ minutes per performer...in return for a $5 contribution to the weekly prize kitty.

(In addition, Ochi's 1-item food or drink minimum applies to everyone.)

A breathtaking 25 comics perform in this 2½ hour show; producer

John Morrison (above) has described it as "comedy on crack."

If you're seeking consistent laughs, this might not be the best way to spend

your evening. But if you're patient and adventurous, it's a potentially wild ride.

And if you're a performer looking for some stage time, it's a nice opportunity.

Plus if you stick around till the show's end to support your fellow comics,

 you have a chance at winning the cash from the kitty, along with smaller prizes.

There are two shows, at 6:30 and 9:00 pm (with entirely different sets of comics).

Tonight's 6:30 lineup includes such fine stand-ups as Jena Friedman, Karen Batista, Margie Kment, Vicky Kuperman, Dan Cartwright, and Mark Normand.

And the 9:00 pm show includes such talents as Emily Epstein, Sue Funke, Sean Donnelly, Blaine Perry, and John Morrison.

Ochi's Motel is hosted by Sean Donnelly and Blaine 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)

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

Two unique improvisation shows for a mere five bucks.

Glennis McMurray and Eliza Skinner are simply geniuses

at taking a suggestion from the audience and creating

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

immense talent, and the aid of their wonderful improv pianist

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

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

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

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

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

which won two FringeNYC 2008 Awards.

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

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

The double-bill then continues with Hot Lather, an improv group that specializes

in the soap opera format. Its members include some powerhouse performers:

Mike Cavanaugh, Matt Fisher,  Jon Gutierrez, Molly Lloyd, Anna Rubanova, Achilles Stamatelaky, Mike Still, Abra Tabak, Andree Vermeulen, and Paul Welsh,

with direction by Rob Webber.

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

Three of the best comedy hosts in NYC: Seth Herzog, Greg Johnson, and Leo Allen

Whiplash with Leo Allen: The Finest in Stand-Up Comedy, Free

Leo Allen is one of the most sharp, honest, and likeable stand-ups working in NYC. Leo was a writer for Saturday Night Live from 2002 through 2005. He's also performed two Comedy Central Presents 1/2-hour specials (one by himself and one with his writing partner Eric Slovin); done stand-up on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.; and acted on Ed and Sex and the City. Leo has now taken over the Monday-at-11:00 pm UCBT spot made super-special by Aziz Ansari's Crash Test and Jeremy Levenbach's Cavalcade! (in fact, Whiplash is produced by Jeremy).

Tonight's wonderful guests include two of the best comedy hosts in New York:

Seth Herzog (VH1's Best Week Ever and All Access, Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show, host of superb NYC weekly live comedy show Sweet), and

Greg Johnson (sharp, quick-witted stand-up comic who co-hosts the weekly

NYC comedy extravaganza The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show,

which won the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Variety Show).

If you love comedy, make a habit of attending this wonderful free weekly extravaganza.

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

NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 11/18/08

Livia Scott (Empowerment), Seth Herzog (Sweet) and Pete Holmes (VH to the One Showcase)

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

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

the perfect show for short attention spans—open mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set

and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours, who tonight include Vicky Kuperman, Margie Kment, Doug Adler,

Gilad Foss, Sarah Fearon, and John Morrison—at John Morrison's Broadway Motel (6:00 pm),

a blowout fundraiser featuring some of the most talented and hilarious female comics in NYC—

Livia Scott, Shayna Ferm, Carolyn Castiglia, Becky Donohue, Ophira Eisenberg, Helen Hong,

and host Leah Bonnema—at a 3-hour bash of Empowerment, Pampering, and Great Entertainment (7:00 pm),

16 NYC stand-ups—including Taylor Williamson (Late Late Show), Josh Homer (Comedy Central),

Andy Pitz (David Letterman), Julian McCullough (2008 NYCF Champion), Liz Miele (Comedy Central), and

Mike Drucker (The Onion)—competing for audience laughs and votes at Eric I's Comedy Showdown (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] brilliant stand-up Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1, The New Yorker), rising star

Kumail Nanjiani (Comedy Central), Big Jay Oakerson (HBO, Comedy Central , Showtime, MTV),

Joselyn Hughes (Macho!), Sean Patton (Just for Laughs Festival), and Cassidy Henehan

in the debut of VH1's biweekly live comedy show VH to the One Comedy Showcase (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] comics journalist Brian Heater (The Daily Cross Hatch), and comics creators Tom Hart,

Sarah Glidden, and John Kerschbaum, joining in on a lively & hilarious

discussion about comic books at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),

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

DeCoster, Ragnaröck, Bangs, Bastian, and The Law Firm—at Harold Night (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central), Wyatt Cenac (correspondent

for The Daily Show), and Max Silvestri (VH1) at one of the finest and funniest shows

in NYC, the wonderful Seth Herzog's Sweet (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] and sharp stand-ups Tom McCaffrey (Comedy Central, VH1, The Onion),

Marina Franklin (Last Comic Standing, Chappelle's Show), Jared Logan (Chicago Comedy Awards),

Liz Miele (Comedy Central), plus Team Submarine (hilarious sketch comedy duo) at Sweet Haven (9:00ish pm).

Broadway Motel

Lottery-style open mic for stand-up comics trying out material,

with 4½ minutes per performer...in return for a $5 contribution to the weekly prize kitty.

(In addition, Broadway's one-item food or drink minimum applies to everyone.)

A breathtaking 25 comics perform in this 2½ hour show; producer

John Morrison (above) has described it as "comedy on crack."

If you're seeking consistent laughs, this might not be the best way to spend

your evening. But if you're patient and adventurous, it's a potentially wild ride.

And if you're a performer looking for some stage time, it's a nice opportunity.

Plus if you stick around till the show's end to support your fellow comics,

 you have a chance at winning the cash from the kitty, along with smaller prizes.

Tonight's lineup includes such talents as Vicky Kuperman, Margie Kment, Doug Adler, Gilad Foss, Sarah Fearon, Chanelle Futrell, and John Morrison.

Broadway Motel is hosted by Cory Jarvis and Doug Adler.

To be entered into the weekly random drawing for performers,

please send email to motelme@gmail.com.

6:00 pm at Broadway Comedy Club, 318 West 53rd Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);

$5 cover plus one-item food or drink minimum

Brilliant comics Livia Scott, Shayna Ferm, and Becky Donohue...

...and Carolyn Castiglia, Ophira Eisenberg, and Helen Hong

An Evening of Empowerment, Pampering, and Great Entertainment

To raise funds for a film project, some of NYC's finest female comics are getting together to entertain you from 8:00 to 10:00 pm. Further, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm you can come enjoy a spa and cocktail hour that includes manicures, tarot readings, and life coaching.

The entertainment was organized by Ken Simon (razor-sharp and hilarious actor; I Am Star Trek, Harry in Love, Men—What Can You Do?), and will be hosted by Leah Bonnema (XM and Sirius Radio).

Tonight's wonderful comics are

Livia Scott (brilliant comedic chameleon who's a stellar stand-up and sketch comic, and also an extraordinary actress; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, world-class sketch groups Meat and Dirty Jeans & Thunderchief, host of NYC comedy show Livia's Castle of Enchantment, 2008 ECNY Award-nominated one-woman show Goodnight, O.J.),

Shayna Ferm (singer/songwriter stand-up who's one of the sharpest and finest comics in the biz; member of world-class sketch group Fearsome; comedic music album Blonde; for samples of Shay's songs, please click here),

Carolyn Castiglia (VH1's White Rapper Miss CKC, MTV, Sirius Satellite Radio, The Huffington Post, host of NYC live comedy shows Meat & Potatoes and Chicks and Giggles),

Becky Donohue (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and

Shorties Watchin' Shorties; TLC's Trading Spaces; Fashion Police writer for US Weekly),

Helen Hong (TLC's What Not to Wear; E!'s Exposed: 25 Most Notorious Fashion Week Moments; Helen says " I love it when people ask me 'Where are you from?' and I say 'New York' and they say 'No, where are you really from???' I know they want me to name some Asian country like Japan or Korea. Instead I just stab them in the eye with a chopstick and scream 'I'm from the Land of Deadly Chopsticks, you evil Round Eye!' And then I shuffle away like a dainty geisha...;"

for Helen's hilarious stand-up video about false assumptions

and verbal misunderstandings, please click here), and

Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, VH1's Best Week Ever,

E!; Fashion Police writer for US Weekly),

plus singer-musician Susan Oetgen.

7:00 pm-10:00 at R Bar, 218 Bowery (between Rivington and Prince Streets);

$15 for admission alone, or $20 for admission plus six raffle tickets

Take the R/W subway to Prince Street, or 6 subway to Spring Street, or F/V subway to 2nd Avenue stop

Liz Miele, Julian McCullough, and Taylor Williamson

Eric I's Comedy Showdown

This biweekly extravaganza is a comedy competition hosted by Eric I.

Tonight's small mob of 16 participating stand-ups are, in scheduled order, Taylor Williamson (Late Late Show), Josh Homer (Comedy Central), Andy Pitz (David Letterman), Julian McCullough (2008 NY Comedy Festival Champion), Liz Miele (Comedy Central), Mike Drucker (The Onion), David Baker (UK comic), Maddog Mattern (Sirius Radio, XM), Kevin McCaffrey (writer for David Letterman), Joe Pontillo (Village Lantern), Craig Hillelson (The Buy Back Show), Sean Donnelly (sketch show Don’t Touch Me There), Gabe Pacheco (Joy!), Leanna Conley (Broads Of Broadway), Stephanie Acevedo (Funny Chick For Whom I Need A Credit), and Meghan Hanley), each of whom will perform a short set.

The audience will then vote on which of the comics was the most hilarious. The two winners will receive additional stage time to make comedic fun of the losers; and also move on to a final round later this year to determine a season champion (with a prize of $500, and bragging rights).

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)

Pete Holmes and Joselyn Hughes...

...and Cassidy Henehan, Kumail Nanjiani, and Sean Patton

VH to the One Comedy Showcase

TV network VH1 kicks off this new NYC live comedy show tonight, which will play

every other Tuesday at famed rock club The Bitter End.

The comics at this opening evening are superb:

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),

Kumail Nanjiani (rising stand-up star; Comedy Central's 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), and

Big Jay Oakerson (Comedy Central Presents, HBO, Showtime, MTV),

Joselyn Hughes (Comedysmack.com, Maxim radio, half of sketch duo Macho!; for video questioning the effectiveness of rape whistles, please click here),

Sean Patton (2008 Montreal Just for Laughs Festival, LES' The Tommy Danger Show, founder of the New Orleans Comedy Festival; for stand-up audio clip about vitamin-coated condoms and stand-up video about drugs & weapons, please click here and here), and

Cassidy Henehan (for very long video attempt to break a bottle over a guy's head post-Katrina, please click here).

8:00 pm at The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker Street (bet. La Guardia Place and Thompson Street);

tickets are $5; take the A/C/E/F/V subway To West 4th Street stop

Comic Book Club

Hosted by Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler and Pete LePage,

who enjoy discussing comic books while getting laughs.

Tonight's industry guests are Brian Heater (Editor-in-Chief of comics Web magazine The Daily Cross Hatch), Tom Hart (Hutch Owen), Sarah Glidden (How to Understand Israel in 60 Days), and John Kerschbaum (Petey and Pussy) .

To get a feel for the smart, playful vibe of Comic Book Club, please check out its podcasts—

that is, audio recordings of previous shows in their entirety—by clicking here.

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

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

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

Harold Night

The Harold is longform improv, pioneered by Del Close.

Tonight, five improv troupes—

DeCoster, Ragnaröck, Bangs, Bastian, and The Law Firm—

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

Leo Allen and Wyatt Cenac...

...and Seth Herzog and Max Silvestri

Sweet

Hosted by the razor-sharp, dynamic, and hilarious Seth Herzog (VH1's Best Week Ever).

Seth is one of the finest hosts around—and this is one of the best comedy shows in NYC.

Tonight's wonderful guests include

Leo Allen (one of the most sharp, honest, and likeable stand-ups working in NYC; writer for Saturday Night Live from 2002 through 2005; performed two Comedy Central Presents 1/2-hour specials (one by himself and one with his writing partner Eric Slovin); done stand-up on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.; acted on Ed and Sex and the City; host of NYC weekly live comedy show Whiplash),

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), and

Max Silvestri (VH1's Best Week Ever, weekly podcast Best Night Ever, videos for 236.com, co-host of NYC live comedy show Big Terrific).

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

Sweet Haven

This show comes from sketch troupe Peoples Republic of Komedy, whose members learned how to be funny in Seattle and then sunk all their savings into making a mark in NYC. They're off to a great start with this weekly extravaganza which uses uses sketch (and even a theme song) to create a comedic framework for their talented stand-up guests—who tonight are:

Marina Franklin (Last Comic Standing, Chappelle's Show, Comedy Central's Premium Blend),

Tom McCaffrey (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Shorties Watchin' Shorties, and Secret Stash Movie; VH1's All Access; The Onion),

Jared Logan (hilarious kinetic comic; 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), and

Liz Miele (Comedy Central; took third place at the March Comedy Madness competition;

for 12-minute set at Carolines, please click here), and

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

9:00ish pm at SB3, 33 Avenue B (red & gold building at corner of 3rd Street); free

NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 11/19/08

Rhys Darby (Comedy Below Canal), Demetri Martin (Hold for the Laughs), and John Mulaney (Hold for the Laughs)

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

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

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

[TOP PICK] Violet Krumbein demonstrating she's one of the most breathtakingly original

and darkly funny talents in NYC, and Thomas Middleditch (member of genius improv troupe Baby Wants Candy)

showing off a myriad of comedic characters via a dynamic one-man show, in a don't-miss double-bill:

Human Painkiller and Littlebitch (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] a fun auction of dreadful art, hosted with style by the hilarious Judah Friedlander (30 Rock)

and featuring a musical full set by indie band Xiu Xiu, at New York Magazine's Bad Art Auction (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] three of the finest stand-ups in NYC—Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1), Chelsea Peretti (Comedy Central, Variety SHAC), and Seth Herzog (VH1, Sweet)—plus New Zealand/UK star Rhys Darby (HBO's Flight of the Conchords) at a new weekly show hosted by 92YTribeca: Comedy Below Canal (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] some of most razor-sharp and uproariously funny storytellers in the country—Anthony Atamanuik, Jonathan Gabrus, Curtis Gwinn, Joe Mande, and Dave Martin—telling tales of "The Guiltiest Night Of My Life" at one of the finest shows in NYC, The Nights of Our Lives (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] an exciting monthly event bringing NYC theatre and comedy folks together,

tonight featuring a networking party at 9:30, and then a comedy show at 10:00 with top stand-ups

Demetri Martin (The Daily Show, star of upcoming series Important Things), John Mulaney

(Conan O'Brien, writer for Saturday Night Live), Dan Mintz (HBO, Comedy Central, MTV),

and Giulia Rozzi (VH1, Stripped Stories) at Margie Kment's Hold for the Laughs (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] and typically stellar stand-up comics who perform their sets but are periodically interrupted by the host—one of the funniest men on the planet, Doug Benson—at a very special show called The Benson Interruption (11:00 pm).

Kurt Braunohler and Pat Shay

The PIT's Super Free Wednesday

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

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

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

A couple of the many faces of Thomas Middleditch...

...and the uniquely dark comedy of Violet Krumbein

Violet Krumbein: Human Painkiller and Thomas Middleditch: Littlebitch

A superb one-man show and mind-blowing one-woman show

from two rising comedy stars you shouldn't miss...all for a mere five bucks.

The evening kicks off with Violet Krumbein, an immensely appealing rising star who's performed on Comedy Central, Adult Swim, and UCBT Harold Night improv troupes Tantrum and Whorenado. (For a sample of Violet's sharp acting and vocal skills, please click here.) Tonight Violet demonstrates she has one of the most disturbingly inventive comedic minds to ever grace an NYC stage via a show she wrote and performs solo—with the aid of a dancer's grace, impeccable timing, and myriad props...including an unforgettable life-size doll. Imagine combining the playfulness of Sesame Street with the dark side of Andy Kaufman and you'll get some glimmer of what's in store for you. Not for every taste; but if you feel adventurous, don't miss this breathtakingly original show by the stunningly beautiful and delightfully twisted Ms. Krumbein. Directed by Megan Neuringer (VH1's Best Week Ever, All Access).

The double-bill then continues with Thomas Middleditch, a quick-witted organic talent who honed his improv & comedy skills at Second City and iO Chicago, and is currently a member of superb improv troupes Baby Wants Candy, Broad Shoulders, and The Improvised Shakespeare Co. Thomas is also the star of the upcoming film Splinterheads; the co-host of monthly UCBT show Game Bros. Live!; and a wildly popular character performer at the monthly Morrison Motel. It's the latter skills Thomas will be drawing on for this one-man show as he literally jumps around on stage, and switches among different voices and body postures in split seconds, to create a small mob of colorful people interacting with each other—and, at one point, even physically fighting each other! Come catch this rapidly rising star.

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

New York Magazine's Second Annual Bad Art Auction, Hosted by Judah Friedlander

Last year New York Magazine auctioned off terrible art—to the great enjoyment of audience members. (To check out some highlights, please click here.) This year features even more dreadfulness, including velvet canvases, paper-mâché catastrophes, and anything having to do with ponies. Bidding on bad art feels especially good in this case, as the proceeds benefit the charity New York Cares.

And even if you're not interested in buying, you should come delight in this fun event hosted by Judah Friedlander (hilarious stand-up comic; cast member of NBC's 30 Rock; actor in such movie hits as Meet the Parents, Zoolander, and Full Grown Men), and featuring a full set from experimental/pop indie band Xiu Xiu.

Plus there'll be complimentary cocktails from Cape North Vodka; complimentary drinks from Glaceau; the chance to win a brand new Gibson Guitar or a pair of Saucony Originals; and a guaranteed 46-issue subscription to New York Magazine.

Because alcohol will be served, attendees must be 21 or over with valid ID.

To order a ticket for $28.75—which, again, includes a year's subscription to

New York Magazine—please click here.

8:00 pm at Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street

(between Sullivan and Thompson Streets); nearest subway stops are

1 at Houston, C/E at Spring, 6 at Bleecker, B/D/F/V at Broadway-Lafayette;

ticket is $28.75 online (includes 46-issue subscription to New York Magazine)

Pete Holmes and Chelsea Peretti...

...and Seth Herzog and Rhys Darby

Comedy Below Canal

Three of NYC's best comics, plus a TV & film star from New Zealand and the UK,

gather tonight to entertain you at new venue 92YTribeca:

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),

Rhys Darby (New Zealand comic who played the band manager in HBO's Flight of the Conchords and Jim Carrey's boss in recent movie Yes Man),

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

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

Seth Herzog (VH1's Best Week Ever and All Access, Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show, host of superb NYC weekly live comedy show Sweet).

9:00 pm at 92YTribeca Mainstage, 200 Hudson Street (intersection of Canal & Hudson Streets);

tickets are $12; take the 1/6/E subway to Canal Street stop

The Nights  of Our Lives: The Guiltiest Night of My Life

This is one of the best shows in New York.

The format is simple: A bunch of razor-sharp writer/performers tell stories

about themselves revolving around the evening's theme—which tonight

is "The Guiltiest Night Of My Life."

The only rules of the show are that the tales must be true, and must be funny.

The brutal honesty, and jarring bravery, of some the participants can be hair-raising.

What they offer aren't merely jokes, but resonant, humane perspectives on life.

At the same time, there are very few shows, on or off Broadway,

that will make you laugh as consistently and as loud.

Enormous kudos go to host David Martin; and to brilliant storytellers

Anthony Atamanuik, John Flynn, Chris Gethard, Curtis Gwinn, Anthony King,

Margot Leitman, Adam Pally, and the other comedy soldiers who've bared

some of their darkest and funniest secrets on the Nights of Our Lives stage.

This evening's scheduled yarn-spinners are stellar core regulars Anthony Atamanuik, Curtis Gwinn, and Dave Martin, plus Joe Mande (winner of the 2008 ECNY Award winner for Best Emerging Comic; co-host of superb weekly NYC show Totally J/K) and Jonathan Gabrus (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, VH1's Best Week Ever, writer and star of Spike TV sitcom The Void, member of improv troupes Tybrus and Outlook of the Poet).

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

Brilliant star stand-ups Demetri Martin and John Mulaney...

...and Margie Kment, Giulia Rozzi, and Dan Mintz

Hold for the Laughs

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

It opens at 9:30 pm with a networking event in which theatre and comedy folks can meet each other, and also get to know the artists involved in upcoming theatrical shows produced by the sponsor, Small Pond Entertainment.

It then shifts gears at 10:00 pm with a full-blown comedy show hosted by the

lovely Margie Kment (for stand-up video about dating a stoner, please click here).

Tonight's wonderful stand-up comics are

Demetri Martin (immensely popular comedy star with his own segment, Trendspotting,

on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart  [13 appearances]; Demetri has also been on Late Night with Conan O'Brien [4 appearances]; performed a Comedy Central Presents 30-minute special, and a Comedy Central 2007 one-hour special titled Demetri Martin. Person. [both specials now available on DVD]; published a These Are Jokes CD/DVD; and has a TV series coming up produced by Jon Stewart titled Important Things),

John Mulaney (one of the funniest 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; won the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Male Stand-Up Comedian; selected by Variety as among the 10 Comics to Watch for 2008; to check out videos of John's two Conan sets, please click here and here), and

Dan Mintz (sharp deadpan stand-up; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, HBO's Lucky Louis,

Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, MTV's Human Giant, writer of upcoming

Demetri Martin show Important Things; "It's so much easier for kids to jerk off than

it used to be. When I was young, you had to find the Sears catalog, flip to the lingerie section.

Now, with the Internet, I just turn on my computer, get online, and go right to Sears.com;"

for stellar stand-up video, please click here), and

Giulia Rozzi (VH1's Best Night Ever podcasts; monthly video series The Message Board, which makes fun of brides, on ComedyNet.com; co-producer of East coast version of hit national show Mortified; co-host of red-hot comedy show Stripped Stories;

for a video sample, please click here).

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

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

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

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

Doug Benson

The Benson Interruption

Doug Benson (finalist on Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, VH1's Best Week Ever) is one the sharpest stand-ups in the world.

In this superb show, Benson invites some of the funniest people he knows—who include some of the most sought-after comics in the country—to perform stand-up. And whenever he feels like it, Benson interrupts the act with a sharp observation to make the audience laugh even harder...and, with luck, crack up the comedian on stage as well.

Tonight's guests haven't been announced, but expect high-powered talent...and what promises to an unforgettable night of comedy.

11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5

NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 11/20/08

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

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

[TOP PICK] two brilliant comics who enjoy pushing at boundaries:

Glennis McMurray and Jawnee Conroy (6:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] stellar stand-up Andrea Rosen (VH1, Comedy Central, Variety SHAC) and

superb comedic singer/songwriter Mindy Raf (VH1) as guests on the best sexy

storytelling comedy show in NYC: Margot Leitman's & Giulia Rozzi's Stripped Stories (9:30),

[TOP PICK] and the final raucous evening of 2008 quarter-final competition

at Pat Baer's 3-on-3 Improv Tournament (11:00).

Glennis McMurray and Jawnee Conroy

Two stellar experimental comics for a mere five bucks.

Glennis McMurray is half of the award-winning musical improv group I Eat Pandas (with Eliza Skinner). She's also appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, writes a popular blog, creates sketch comedy and funny films (for samples, please click here and here), and this August starred in the FringeNYC hit musical Gem!: A Truly Outrageous Parody. Come help Glennis test out material tonight as she tries to delight you.

The double-bill then continues with Johnny Conroy, a fearless, darkly inventive, and relentlessly honest comedic performer who's likely to make you alternative between shock and uncontrolled laughter.

6:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5

Margot & Giulia are two fun-lovin' gals...who are world-class storytellers

Stripped Stories

Sexual storytelling with a comedic slant.

Tonight's theme is "Coming Home." Expect shocking and highly entertaining yarns from guests Andrea Rosen (stellar stand-up who's appeared on VH1 and Comedy Central, and is a member of comedy group Variety SHAC), and Ryan Britt (Nerve.com)—as well as 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).

In addition, there'll be risque songs from Mindy Raf (brilliantly funny and sexy writer/singer; VH1's Best Week Ever, relationship columnist for CollegeHumor.com, comedy writer for WABC, actor on SuperDeluxe.com's The Post Show; plays popular character Leibya Rogers: "When I sing, your soul jumps out of your body and nestles in between my legs;" for video sample, please click here).

Plus there'll be "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

Host Pat Baer

3-on-3 Improv Tournament

Throughout November, 21 select comedy troupes, each with three members, battle for audience votes in this Eighth Annual Citywide 3-on-3 Improv Tournament.

In addition, a wildcard team is chosen lottery-style from the audience during each quarter-final, making for a total of eight teams competing per evening. This wildcard group adds a delicious extra element of surprise, as well as making the audience feel like it's part of the action.

The four teams with the most votes from each quarter-final advance to the semi-finals on Saturday, November 29th.

For a highly informed history of the tournament, please click here.

The extravaganza is hosted by the wonderful and invaluable Pat Baer (above).

Tonight is the third evening of the tournament, and the last of three semi-quarter matches. Last week's four winners were:

• Greg, Gregor, Greggest (Greg Burke, Dan Gregor, Greg Tuculescu)
• The Greatest Actor In All Of France (Birch Harms, Oscar Magallanes, Brandon Gardner)
• Boywonder (Frank Spitznagel, Ben Whitehouse, Alan Starzinski)
• C, C + C Improv Factory (Charlie Todd, Charlie Sander, Chuck Dauble)

The eight teams for tonight's competition are, in order of scheduled appearance:

X/Y Interceptors (Shannon Coffey, Aaron Glaser, Johnny McNulty)

Gardasil (Shannon O'Neill, Anna Rubanova, Lydia Hensler)

Kape (Emily Strachan, Amber Nelson, Jill Morris)

Derrick (Dominic Dierkes, Donald Glover, DC Pierson)

Castlemania (Nicole Drespel, Bridget Fitzgerald, Katey Healy-Wurzburg)

VAMPANO!!!!!!!! (Andy Rocco, Matt Decoster, Megan Neuringer)

Outlook of the Poet (Jonathan Gabrus, Ben Rodgers, Gavin Speiller)

Wildcard Team #3

Derrick is a star troupe; and Outlook of the Poet came within a hair of winning the tournament last year (it was defeated in a sudden death match by 3/5ths Dudes, i.e., thoroughly brilliant comics Eugene Cordero, Bobby Moynihan, and Chris Gethard—who aren't competing this year). Also notable are the three all-female teams: Kape, Gardasil, and Castlemania. This promises to be a spectacular evening.

Plus if you're a performer, don't miss this chance at instantly joining the tournament as part of the formed-on-the-spot wildcard team.

11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5

NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 11/21/08

Tonight Charlie Sanders performs one of the best shows you'll ever see in Minnesota Muslim

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

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

improvisors wearing odd costumes and spontaneously interacting in Character Dogville (7:00 pm),

fine stand-up guests Christian Finnegan (Comedy Central, VH1), Mark Norman, and Harry Terjanian,

and regulars including Roger Hailes (Chappelle's Show, VH1), at a show of occasionally uncomfortable

comedy hosted by Blaine Perry & Pat Stango: Don't Touch Me There (7:30ish pm),

[MEGA-TOP PICK] rising star Charlie Sanders performing one of the most vibrant and hilarious

autobiographical shows you'll ever see, plus comedic actress Sue Galloway performing

a one-woman sketch show, in the double-bill Minnesota Muslim and Homebody (8:00 pm),

Kevin Allison (member of legendary sketch troup The State) in a new one-man show: F*** Up (8:00 pm)

a gay-themed stand-up 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),

[TOP PICK] brilliant & sexy comics Erin & Her Cello (stellar musician & delightful singer/songwriter),

Sara Schaefer (VH1, E!, UCBT), and Kurt Braunohler (master sketch comedy perfomer), plus Phil Yanos

(guitarist for Dangaru)  at a show mixing comedy and music: Tim Ellis' & Matthew Park's Of the Moment (9:30 pm),

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

[TOP PICK] stellar stand-ups Demetri Martin (The Daily Show, star of upcoming Important Things),

Jordan Carlos (The Colbert Report, Comedy Central, VH1), and Julia Segal, plus ace sketch troupe

& host Olde English, performing all-new material for a show that's Very Fresh (11:00 pm),

the odd and unsettling dark comedy of sketch troupe Murderfist (11:00 pm),

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

Stacy Mayer, Carrie Sipple, and Jeremiah Murphy

Character Dogville

If you'd like to experience a gentler, more relaxed, but still quite smart type of improv, visit the Manhattan Comedy Collective run by the wonderful Stacy Mayer (who's quick as lightning, but much funnier). Tonight this troupe performs Character Dogville, in which improvisors dress up as odd characters and spontaneously interact with each other. The performers are Stacy Mayer, Jeremiah Murphy, Carrie Sipple, Justin Herfel, Krystal Osborne, Luke Meginsky, Ryan Stratton, and Wayne Henry.

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

Blaine Perry & Pat Stango, and Christian Finnegan

Don't Touch Me There

Blaine Perry and Pat Stango host this comedy show

that doesn't mind being unsettling.

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

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

they died in a car accident 10 years ago."

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

Tonight's sharp stand-ups are

Christian Finnegan (Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, 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),

Mark Normand (co-host of Queens LIC monthly live comedy show We're All Friends Here),

Harry Terjanian (XM Radio), plus

regulars/co-producers Steve Bossous, Sean Donnelly, Eliza Faria-Santos, and Roger Hailes.

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

Charlie Sanders and Sue Galloway

Charlie Sanders: Minnesota Muslim and Sue Galloway: Homebody

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

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

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

The double-bill then continues with Homebody, a one-woman show written and performed by sharp comedic actress Sue Galloway (member of rockin' comedic band Stickerbook, co-writer/co-star of 2006 FringeNYC show Free to Be Friends, member of improv troupes The Law Firm and 1985). It's directed by the wonderful Neil Casey (brilliant comedic performer who's a member of stellar improv troupes Death by Roo Roo and Krompf).

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

Kevin Allison: F*** Up

Kevin Allison (member of legendary sketch comedy troupe The State, HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1's Best Week Ever,  Comedy Central's Reno 911) tonight performs a new one-man show.

I haven't seen this but, given Kevin's track record, it's probably terrific.

For a recent interview with Kevin, please click here.

8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $10

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

The Back Room

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

hosted by the charming Jenny Rubin (WE TV).

Tonight's stand-ups include

Back Room co-producer Paul Case (MTV, D-Listed Radio),

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

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

9:00 pm at Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);

no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)

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

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

The Stepfathers

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

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

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

With art and grace, these star talents will make you laugh—a lot.

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

Erin Hall and her cello...

...and Tim Ellis & Matthew Park, Sara Schaefer, and Kurt Braunohler

Of the Moment

Tim Ellis & Matthew Park host this show mixing comedy and music

(for the duo's unique version of "The Sound of Silence," please click here).

Tonight's exceptional guests are

Kurt Braunohler (frequent comedy partner of Kristen Schaal, performing  sketches that are hilariously indescribable; also a co-star of Web series Penelope, Princess of Pets, for which Kurt won the 2008 ECNY Award as Best Director; and co-host

with Kristen of NYC/LA comedy extravaganza Hot Tub Variety Show),

Erin Hall (stellar musician and delightfully subtle comedic singer/songwriter; for a looped video series of Erin performing, please click here, and to hear tracks of Erin's CD, please click here),

Sara Schaefer (delightful quick-witted comics; VH1's Best Week Ever,

E! Network's Rise of the Geeks, Union Hall's Name That Tune, Video Gaga), and

Phil Yanos (guitarist for the band Dangaru).

9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8

The Made-Up Musical

Veteran improvisor John O'Donnell is accompanied

by a rotating cast that might include such superb talents as

Tara Copeland, Scott Glover, Alex Marino, Louis Kornfeld,

 Jessica Allen, Robin Rothman, and Megan Gray

—and with Frank Spitznagel on piano—

turn an interview with an audience member

into a musical they make up on the spot.

10:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $7

Demetri Martin...

...and Olde English

Very Fresh with Olde English

World-class sketch comedy group and prodigious generator of funny videos Olde English

(Caleb Bark, Ben Popik, David Segal, Adam Conover, and Raphael Bob-Waksberg)

host this extravaganza mixing sketch, stand-up, short films, and more—

and that asks comics to perform material that's all-new (i.e., Very Fresh).

Tonight's superb guests are

Demetri Martin (immensely popular comedy star with his own segment, Trendspotting,

on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart  [13 appearances]; Demetri has also been on Late Night with Conan O'Brien [4 appearances]; performed a Comedy Central Presents 30-minute special, and a Comedy Central 2007 one-hour special titled Demetri Martin. Person. [both specials now available on DVD]; published a These Are Jokes CD/DVD; and has a TV series coming up produced by Jon Stewart titled Important Things),

Jordan Carlos ("Alan" on The Colbert Report, Comedy Central's Live at Gotham,

VH1's Best Week Ever, co-host of Nickelodeon's Me TV, upcoming comedy feature film Ghost Town),

and Julia Segal.

11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5

Murderfist: Late and Dirty

Sketch group Murderfist creates dark comedy sketches that are unsettling, and may elicit more discomfort than laughs. (For example, to watch a somewhat grueling tale of an unlikely gay couple done in the style of a silent film, please click here.) But if you like East Village performance art, you'll probably like this troupe.

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 $8

Liquid Courage

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

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

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

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

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

NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 11/22/08

Timmy Williams (Game Bros. Live) and Andy Blitz (Diamonds in the Fluff)

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

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

[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),

an improv troupe with a theatrical approach: Stray (7:30 pm),

Kevin Allison (member of legendary sketch troupe The State) in a new one-man show: F*** Up (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] comedy genius Andy Blitz (long-time staff writer & performer for Conan O'Brien),

Joe Mande (Totally J/K), Jordan Carlos (The Colbert Report), and other sharp stand-ups

at a free monthly show benefiting an animal shelter: Diamonds in the Fluff (8:30 pm),

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

for winning streaks with 17 triumphs in a row, and has now taken over UCBT's prestigious prime-time

Saturday night slot—the brilliant and daring members of Death by Roo Roo (9:00 pm),

a small mob of talented comics telling funny, poignant, and at times unforgettable tales about their relatives at the gorgeous Sara Benincasa's Family Hour (9:00 pm),

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

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

[TOP PICK] improvised TV shows about audience members via world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),

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

theatrical comedy show: The Complete Performer (10:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] and star Timmy Williams (IFC sketch comedy TV series The Whitest Kids U' Know)

joining exceptionally sharp comics Kumail Nanjiani (Comedy Central) and

Thomas Middleditch (genius improv troupe Baby Wants Candy) proving themselves to also

be nerds by hosting this fun show about the video game industry: Game Bros. Live! (midnight).

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

Let's Have a Ball

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

Among the players often performing are Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-director & cast member of Adult Swim's brilliant & Emmy-winning Moral Orel), Kay Cannon (writer for 30 Rock), Becky Drysdale (acclaimed one-woman show One Woman in Several Pieces, Web video series Time Traveling Lesbian), Christina Gausas (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Stepfathers, Dorff & Gausas), Anthony King (UCBT-NY Artistic Director, Reuben Williams, Gutenberg! The Musical), Laura Krafft (writer for The Colbert Report), Tami Sagher (writer for 30 Rock; writer and producer for Mad TV 2001-2006), and Dan Goor (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show).

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

Stray

Improv troupe Stray "plays in a theatrical, narrative style that was developed in Seattle, honed in Europe, and blended in New York. Stray's unique approach creates spontaneous theatre that is comedic, dramatic, or abstract, sometimes all at once." The group consists of Jill Farris, Wendy Herlich, Kristy Kershaw, and Stefan Schick.

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

Kevin Allison: F*** Up

Kevin Allison (member of legendary sketch comedy troupe The State, HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1's Best Week Ever,  Comedy Central's Reno 911) tonight performs a new one-man show.

I haven't seen this but, given Kevin's track record, it's probably terrific.

For a recent interview with Kevin, please click here.

8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $10

Joe Mande and Andy Blitz

Diamonds in the Fluff

This monthly comedy show benefits the B.A.R.C. animal shelter. It's produced by pet lover & sharp comic Jamie Lee, hosted by Vicky Kuperman—and is free. (Though the more drinks you buy, the more animals you help...)

Tonight's wonderful scheduled 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;

for an apartment shopping segment with Andy and Conan, please click here; to read about Andy's memorable hosting of Crash Test last year at UCBT, please click here),

Joe Mande (winner of the 2008 ECNY Award winner for Best Emerging Comic; co-host of superb weekly NYC show Totally J/K at Brooklyn's Sound Fix; comedic play Workdays with Maury; for some video samples, please click here and here and here), and

Jordan Carlos ("Alan" on The Colbert Report, Comedy Central's Live at Gotham,

VH1's Best Week Ever, co-host of Nickelodeon's Me TV, upcoming comedy feature film Ghost Town).

8:30 pm at Karma Lounge, 51 1st Avenue (between 3rd and 4th Streets); free

Death by Roo Roo: Your F*cked Up Family

Arguably the gutsiest improv troupe in NYC, and unquestionably among the finest groups in improv history, the brilliant comics of Death by Roo Roo—Anthony Atamanuik, Liz Cackowski, Neil Casey, John Gemberling, Curtis Gwinn, Adam Pally, and Gavin Speiller—interview an audience member about family and then act out his or her life story

via improvised scenes. Always razor-sharp, sometimes scary, and usually hilarious.

9:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $10

"Auntie" Sara Benincasa

Family Hour with Auntie Sara

In this unique weekly comedy show, everyone tells jokes and/or stories related to

their family. It's hosted by stand-up comic Sara Benincasa, whose many credits include correspondent for MTV's Choose or Lose Campaign and host of Tub Talk with Sara B. on Nerve.com. (Sara is also a fine comedic actress; to watch her be hilarious as Sarah Palin and as a yoga instructor, please click  here & here and here.)

Tonight's guests haven't been announced, but they usually consist of around 10 terrific NYC stand-up 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)

4 Track!

Springboarding from a word suggested by the audience,

George Basil, Frank Campanella, Christian Capozzoli, and Matt Evans

perform organic & energetic long-form improv for about 40 minutes.

Basil is a stand-out, but they're all sharp, committed improvisors.

There's also a warm chemistry between the men, which is especially evident

if you arrive early to watch them getting ready on stage: They toss a ball

back and forth, and then toss each other back and forth...sending

a body message of "If you throw an improv concept at me, you can trust me

to not let it drop..." One of the Magnet's most popular shows.

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