NYC Comedy Picks for Week of April 11, 2011

NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 4/11/11

Craig Rowin guest-stars in an improvised musical tonight at Diamond Lion...

...and Kate McKinnon spreads cheer via her sketch troupe Gramps' at Maude Night

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Kevin Allison (legendary MTV sketch series The State, HBO, Comedy Central, VH1, host of award-winning storytelling show Risk!) hosts this free open mic show for storytellers, in which you can put your name in a hat for the chance to tell a five-minute true story...and if it's a good one, possibly be included in Kevin's popular podcasts on the Web: Risk! Storyslam

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): Comedy veterans Miriam Tolan (The Daily Show), Jodi Lennon (Exit 57), and Ari Voukydis perform an improvised play in What a Year!

[FREE] 7:30 pm: Phoebe Robinson (The Daily News, The New York Times), Matt Ruby (co-host of Hot Soup and We're All Friends Here), Jessimae Peluso (Last Comic Standing, TruTV), and Seaton Smith (Just for Laughs Festival, Opie & Anthony) performing stand-up at a free weekly show in the Manchester Pub guest-hosted by Sabrina Jalees (so Phoebe can try out a new set): Case of the Mondays Comedy

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($6.50 online or $8 at the door): Bobby Tisdale (senior staff writer for Jimmy Fallon), Jay Pharoah (Saturday Night Live), Kara Klenk (Comedy Central, Spike TV), and Mo Welch (visiting from Chicago) performing at Brooklyn's Littlefield (622 Degraw Street) with sketches and more from a duo who between them won four 2011 ECNY Awards—including Best Variety Show and Best Hosts—Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler: Hot Tub Variety

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Some of the finest improvisors in the country—Tara Copeland, Becky Drysdale, Jeff Hiller, Michael Kayne, Winston Noel, Amber Petty, Mike Still, Ashley Ward, and tonight's guest Craig Rowan (Comedy Central, ESPN, The Onion, perpetrator of fabulous hoax Please Give Me One Million Dollars) Chris Gethard (brilliant improvisor and comedic storyteller; star of Comedy Central sitcom Big Lake; host of The Chris Gethard Show; Magic Box of Stories, The Stepfathers, The Nights of Our Lives, author of book Weird New York)—making up a musical on the spot along with virtuoso improv pianist Frank Spitznagel: Diamond Lion

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): "It's gay. It's camp. It's Gay Camp! Every summer, confused, young campers are sent away to Camp Acceptance to 'cure' their homosexuality. Start with a deliciously evil headmaster and a closeted lesbian guidance counselor, throw in a few electrified fences, disco balls, white girls rapping, boy-boy love, girl-girl love, gay Twister, Sarah Palin, slow-motion fantasies, whips, handcuffs, flannel, and more innuendos than you can shake a dildo at, and you've got..." Gay Camp

[TOP PICK] 8:30 pm ($5): Jen Sanders, Joel Jones, and Kim Ferguson "take the fragile stuff that makes us human and mock it mercilessly in sharp, funny, tightly-written sketches" in The Answer Man; and Alessandro King & Kevin Cobbs parody show biz in the sketch show Listen, Kid!

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Two of UCBT's finest house sketch comedy troupes, Gramps' (which includes powerhouse Kate McKinnon of Tremendous Machine) and Onassis (which includes Fran Gillespie & Sue Galloway of The Law Firm), trying out new bits at Maude Night

9:30 pm ($5): This showcase for the wonderful Jen Nails' Do It Yourself class tonight features Kelli Hornachek's one-woman show about her grandmother, "the most beautiful girl in Budapest," whose life changes with the Communist occupation of Hungary at the end of WWII: ChayaChaya!

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest stand-ups in the world—who haven't been announced yet, but you can check the schedule by clicking here—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central) at Whiplash

[FREE] 11:00 pm: If you're an audience member who loves stand-up, Monday at 11 should be Whiplash! night (see listing above). If you're a comic who couldn't get booked on UCBT's all-star show, though, you can opt to instead practice your skills at this stand-up open mic hosted by Michelle Wolf and the hilarious Erin Lennox (for a sample of Erin's dynamite Seriously Sports show, please click here): Fresh

NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 4/12/11

Comedy geniuses John Mulaney and Andy Blitz will make you helpless with laughter at Sweet...

...and rising star Dan St. Germain headlines for one night only at Carolines

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

7:00 pm ($5): Six improvisors play themselves on stage (similar to Naked in a Fishbowl) in Self Image; and in the second half of this double-bill, Jenny Dunne and Rick Andrews improvise a single moment in two characters' lives again and again, exploring three parallel realities, and the difference that a look or tone can make, in The Cascade

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($16.50 & 2-drink min.) A quick-witted rising star who's performed on Jimmy Fallon, MTV, and College Humor headlining for one night only at the Carolines Comedy Club: Dan St. Germain

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Comics creators Jonathan Lang, Michael Lapinski, and Christopher Mangun (the guys behind Feeding Ground) joining super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($49.50): One of the finest comics in the country, Mike Birbiglia's credits include the hour-long Comedy Central special What I Should Have Said is Nothing; two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials; multiple appearances on David Letterman and Conan O'Brien; comedy CDs Two Drink Mike and My Secret Public Journal—Live; the book Sleepwalk with Me & Other Painfully True Stories; and his hit off-Broadway show Sleepwalk with Me. Mike's now returned to the stage, once again creating his unique blend of stand-up and storytelling, for an all-new one-man show at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street, just one block from the #1 subway's Christopher Street stop) slated to run through May 15th: Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend's Boyfriend

8:00 pm to Midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Very Good Kiss, Standard Oil, Badman, Ragnaröck, and Dybbuk; and at 11:00 pm a superb double-bill that merits a separate listing (see below) but is included in this $5 admission—all at Harold Night

8:30 pm ($5): In this double-bill, each of two of The Magnet's singing improv troupes will make up a musical on the spot based on an audience suggestion: Rebound & BEEES!

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): John Mulaney (one of the finest stand-ups in the country; writer/performer for Saturday Night Live; Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central Presents, VH1's Best Week Ever; for John's great bit on Weekend Update, please click here), Andy Blitz (comedy genius best known for being an Emmy-nominated and long-time writer/performer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien; has also written for Comedy Central's Important Things, MTV's Human Giant, etc.; a thoroughly unique stand-up whose sets—ranging from talking peanut butter to jet-flying cats—tend to be unforgettable), Todd Womack (cast member of Barely Political, visiting from LA), and Mark Normand (hilarious stand-up, and co-host of Hot Soup and We're All Friends Here) performing at Ella (9 Avenue A) hosted by Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Hosts Justin Tyler & Alden Ford (sketch troupe Sidecar) and stand-up David Cope, plus guests David Smythian, Andrew Rosen, and Jon Tyler, will answer "first time" questions from the audience leading to improv and stand-up riffs at Campfire

[FREE] 10:15 pm: In this free show, audience members can join in with veteran musical improv talents to make up stories in song on the spot: Musical Magnet Mixer

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Neil Casey & Anthony Atamanuik, both genius members of Death by Roo Roo, make up an entire feature film as The Two-Man Movie; and Nicole Byer, Sasheer Zamata, and Keisha Zollar form a surprise breakout hit as all-gal troupe Doppelganger

[FREE] 11:00 pm: A breathtaking 40 comics are given 2 minutes each in this rapid-fire open mic stand-up show hosted with wit and energy by Jay Welch: Bring It

NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 4/13/11

Leo Allen, now back in NYC, performs at the all-star Queens LIC stand-up show Monsters,
while ECNY winner Andrea Rosen continues her quirky, organic, and delightful one-woman show Ding Dong Meow

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[FREE] 2:00 pm: "Something worth watching. Could be a movie, or a TV show. Might be populist and unapologetically entertaining, or hard to find and harder to understand. But you will always leave saying, 'I am glad that I saw that.'" Hosted by The PIT's Chris Grace, today's free comedy film at Gracie's Afternoon Playhouse is one of the all-time greats: Broadcast News

[FREE] 6:00 pm to midnight: Six free hours of improvisation at The PIT's Super Free Wednesday

7:00 pm, 8:30 pm, and 10:00 pm ($5): Magnet house troupes performing improv, followed by a free show at 11:30 pm: The Magnet's Megawatt

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Andrea Rosen is already famed as a comic—in fact, she recently won the prestigious 2011 ECNY Award for Best Stand-Up—but what's not as well-known is that Andrea's among the finest comedic storytellers in the country. This new one-woman show should fix that. It offers smart, fearless, hilarious material ranging from fast food you should avoid to the medicinal power of a boyfriend's penis. It also provides one of the sharpest comedic performances that will grace NYC this year (for which kudos are also deserved by the show's superb director, John Flynn). Plus if you sit in the first few rows, expect free home-baked cookies. Don't miss Andrea's unique blend of dark comedy and silliness: Ding Dong Meow...

...and in the other half of this double-bill, Jordan Klepper and Laura Grey perform an acclaimed sketch show in which "they're bringing their baggage to the stage and dumping it all on you" in Baggage

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5—which includes a free drink!): Superb stand-ups Leo Allen (former writer for Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central Presents, Conan O'Brien, HBO's Funny or Die, host of top NYC comedy show Whiplash) and Nate Bargatze (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents), plus music from Myq Kaplan & Micah Sherman, and more performing at The Creek in Queens' Long Island City with host Nick Turner: Monsters

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Scott Adsit is away this week, but John Lutz (30 Rock, six years as staff writer for Saturday Night Live) will team up with another amazing Chicago-trained improvisor to form a hilarious improv duo at John & Scott (tonight minus Scott but come anyway, John promises it'll be good)

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: Frank DeCaro (early The Daily Show pundit, now host of the daily Frank Decaro Show on Sirius-XM OutQNYC radio), Brian Barry (Pal Joey on Broadway), and Vicki Ferentinos (Comedy Central's Crash Course in Comedy) performing stand-up at the Bar-Tini Ultra Lounge (542 Tenth Avenue, between 45th & 46th Streets) for a gay-themed show hosted by Adam Sank: That Sank Show

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Host Justin Purnell (The Colbert Report) providing as many as a dozen guests packed into 75 minutes performing stand-up, improv, sketch, and occasionally acts that defy categorization. The level of talent can vary wildly, but for some (like me), that's part of the laid-back fun; and this is often one of the most amazing comedy shows in town. Come support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises, that this uniquely organic rollercoaster of a show makes possible—and don't forget to toss $1 in the bucket on your way out: School Night

NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 4/14/11

Leslie Goshko will tell tales about her first time at Margot Leitman's & Giulia Rozzii's Stripped Stories...

...and a 2006 FringeNYC hit finally gears up for its well-deserved commercial run: The Fartiste

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $12 marked with $) include:

[TOP PICK] [$] 6:30 pm ($15): One of my favorite FringeNYC shows (for my 2006 review, please cick here) is finally gearing up for a commercial run. The mostly-true tale of a man who became the toast of Paris by making music with his ass is previewing for one night only at The Snapple Theatre Center (1627 Broadway on 50th Street): The Fartiste

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): Pamela Murphy's autobiographical show is written & performed with wit, grace, and pitch-perfect comedic timing (for video samples of Pam's work, please click here). Don't miss Jane Borden of Time Out New York's pick for Best Solo Show of 2010: Pamela Murphy: The C Word

...and for the other half of this A-List double-bill, a delightful tale of heartbreak by Leslie Meisel—who manages the impressive feat of being adorable, sexy, and hilarious all at the same time, and is a sharp comedic talent very much worth keeping an eye on—quite ably abetted by co-writer Megan Neuringer in one of the smartest theatrical shows to grace UCBT: Love Can Suck a Dick...and So Can I

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): Alicia Levy performing a one-woman rock concert, complete with a talented band. Alicia's energy is admirable, but she needs to learn to balance that with organic nuance rather than make everything unremittingly over the top. Still, this is worth catching for Alicia's very entertaining parodies of Tori Amos, Macy Gray, and Cyndi Lauper, and some memorable costumes: Chickapalooza

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): An hour of improv directed by Magnet Theatre co-owner Armando Diaz: Evente

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:30 pm ($30 & 2-drink min.) A cast member for four seasons of Saturday Night Live who's also performed on Conan O'Brien, MTV, VH1, and feature films, headlining through Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Jim Breuer

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($12): Brilliant & hilarious singer/songwriter/sketch comic Shayna Ferm (Fearsome, Grease 3: Threase), stellar sketch duo Adam Lustick & Billy Scafuri (Harvard Sailing Team), Streeter Seidell (College Humor), Allison Castillo (Comedy Central), and Griffin Newman performing at Comedy Below Canal

[FREE] 9:00ish pm: Typically terrific NYC stand-ups performing on this weekly show at the Kabin Bar and Lounge hosted by Chesley Calloway and guest-host Ben Kissel (while Sean Patton shares his gifts with other cities): Comedy as a Second Language

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Thoroughly charming and razor-sharp Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Champion, UCBT, host of Sideshow Goshko) and Andy Ross (Real Characters) joining sensual hosts Margot Leitman (VH1, Spike TV) and Giulia Rozzi (MTV, VH1.com, co-host of Dive Comedy) in telling true tales on tonight's theme "Losing It"—plus raunchy songs from Cock Lorge—at the best sexy storytelling comedy show in NYC: Stripped Stories

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:30 pm: NYC treasure Kurt Braunohler is the producer and host of a new comedic "anti-game-show" game show that's rumored to have sold to IFC. In this free event, "three contestants battle it out for such lovely prizes as dinette sets, putting greens and jet skis! Owls will be insulted, injured people will be mocked, and minds will be blown! The New York Times says: "We haven't even heard of this show! Please stop calling us!" So come on down for the most dysfunctional game show you will ever see!" Pointless!

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): With Thomas Middleditch and Nate Lang back in town, The Law Firm utterly crushed its quite talented opponent Ragnaröck last week. Tonight the vibrant improv troupe competes against Get Paid for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match

11:00 pm ($5): A monthly screening of new short filmed sketch and comedy produced by members of the Magnet community: Flick Video Showcase

NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 4/15/11

Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohlerr, Wyatt Cenac, and more will raise funds in Brooklyn tonight at Japan Benefit...

...and sketch giants Kate McKinnon, Leslie Meisel, and more debut an exciting new comedy troupe: Tremendous Machine

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 7:00 pm: Chicago-trained improv veterans gather in NYC to make you laugh, with tonight's scheduled participants Ali Farahnakian (former SNL writer, 30 Rock, owner of The PIT, Chicago Improv troupe The Family), Jodi Lennon (Comedy Central's Exit 57, The Annoyance Theater, Second City, iO), Ari Voukydis (VH1's Best Week Ever, UCBT), Doug Stoley (Conan O'Brien), Jordan Klepper (Second City, UCBT), and possibly more performing at this free show at The PIT's basement lounge: Chicago Improv Gorillas

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($8): The delightful Jen Kwok debuting a one-woman show that "introduces you to a magical world where wishes can come true with music, strange creatures, and an exceedingly wacky fairy godmother:" Wish Come True

7:30 pm ($10): Abbi Jacobson (Broad City) performing a one-woman show in which she engagingly plays a variety of oddball characters you might encounter at summer camp, and sketch troupe Bleak performing a show about what goes on in your stomach, in the double-bill Welcome to Camp! and Stomachtown

[FREE] 7:30 pm: NYC stand-ups Streeter Seidell (College Humor, Jimmy Kimmel), Jared Logan (Comedy Central, co-host of Righteous Kill), Victor Varnado (Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central, NBC's My Name is Earl, Adult Swim, Comedy Central’s The Awkward Comedy Show; films Pluto Nash, End of Days, A Guy Thing), and Eliza Faria-Santos (Comedy Central), plus the usual sketch comedy gang, and musical band Fortress of Solitude, all performing at Karma Lounge with hosts Pat Stango & Blaine Perry for this endearingly oddball monthly comedy show: Don't Touch Me There

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($18.88 online; buying in advance highly recommended as this will probably sell out): Kristen Schaal and Wyatt Cenac (star correspondents of The Daily Show), Kurt Braunohler (award-winning comic and rising TV star), Arden Myrin (MadTV), and much more performing at this fundraiser for Japan relief at Brooklyn's The Bell House hosted by Liam McEneaney: Japan Benefit

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): Groundbreaking and highly acclaimed improvisors Matt Higgins, Jay Rhoderick, and Kevin Scott performing with a three-piece rock ensemble: Centralia

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Award-winning dark comedy sketch troupe Murderfist, plus stand-ups Andy Haynes, Nick Vatterott, Reese Waters, and Scott Moran, performing at Brooklyn's Red Star Bar (37 Greenpoint Avenue) for host Nick Turner's & guest-host Neal Stastny's Too Cool for School

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Stand-ups Barry Rothbart, Michael Che, Jermaine Fowler, Todd Womack, and "a special guest from LA" performing at O'Hanlon's (14th Street off 1st Avenue) hosted by Matt Ruby: Hot Soup

8:00 pm ($7): "In March of 2009 a gaggle of performers were born. Some died, some wandered off into the woods, others went to work in the private sector. Those that remained grew strong by feeding on the nectar of specific choices and the gruel of strong character work. The 2-year-old terror that exists today is akin to watching a Tsunami of hair and teeth attack a baby Blue Whale and destroy it with the will of a thousand hungry Burnese Mountain Dogs. What does it all mean? We don't know." In other words, improv from Chet Watkins

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Stand-ups Mo Diggs (MTV's Choose or Lose), Brendan Fitzgibbons (The Onion, McSweeney's, Gandhi Is That You?), Jesse Jones, Subhah Agarwal, and TJ Amick performing at Brooklyn's The Royal Oak (594 Union Avenue) with hosts Calvin S. Cato, Justin Murray, and Chad Plaines: The Pregame Comedy Show

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($30 & 2-drink min.) A cast member for four seasons of Saturday Night Live who's also performed on Conan O'Brien, MTV, VH1, and feature films, headlining through Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Jim Breuer

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:30 pm ($15): Always fresh and imaginative world-class sketch troupe that uses song, movement, and clever scenarios to turn familiar rituals on their head (for a video about awkward goodbyes at the end of a party, please click here) delivering a brand new collection of sketches: The Harvard Sailing Team

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Thomas Middleditch and Nate Lang (back after pilot season in LA), plus Craig Rowin, Matt Fisher, Fran Gillespie Sue Galloway, and other superb improvisors make up scenes about an audience member's legal dispute at The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): The debut of an exciting new sketch troupe, with brilliantly talented comedic performers including Kate McKinnon, Leslie Meisel, Fran Gillespie, and Nate Lang, and steered by superb writer/director Caitlin Tegart—as well as writers Beth Appel, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Matt Fisher, Frank Hejl, Chris Schell, Alex Scordelis, and Michael Trapp—that I'll be going out of my way to catch tonight: Tremendous Machine

NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 4/16/11

Arden Myrin (Conan O'Brien, Mad TV, numerous other TV shows & films; for Mad TV samples, please click here and here and here) and Lisa deLarios (Comedy Central) will host a blowout lineup of top comics—Janeane Garofalo, Morgan Murphy, Adira Amram, Kurt Braunohler, and Dan Boulger—at Brooklyn's Union Hall on Saturday, April 16th at 8:15 pm (doors open at 7:45; arrive early to grab seats). This will very likely sell out, so buy tickets ($7.63) in advance by clicking here for The Party Machine

Richard Nixon has a midnight UCBT show at Live From Heaven, and SNL's Jim Breuer headlines at Gotham

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[TOP PICK] [$] 4:00 pm & 8:00 pm ($49.50): One of the finest comics in the country, Mike Birbiglia's credits include the hour-long Comedy Central special What I Should Have Said is Nothing; two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials; multiple appearances on David Letterman and Conan O'Brien; comedy CDs Two Drink Mike and My Secret Public Journal—Live; the book Sleepwalk with Me & Other Painfully True Stories; and his hit off-Broadway show Sleepwalk with Me. Mike's now returned to the stage, once again creating his unique blend of stand-up and storytelling, for an all-new one-man show at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street, just one block from the #1 subway's Christopher Street stop) slated to run through May 15th: Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend's Boyfriend

7:00 pm ($10): Sketch troupe Foolhardy Manor performing an all-new show "in which decisions aren't made, important discussions are avoided, and situations we don't want to think about get swept under the rug. This show may or may not help us work some stuff out. We're also pleased to be debuting the world's first-ever 3D comedy video. We'll provide the glasses. And if you're wondering if a fun, new video is just another distraction from us resolving our issues, you're probably right:" Unresolved Issues

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Anthony King, Christina Gausas, Ed Herbstman, Becky Drysdale, and more—plus a rotating cast of stellar visitors who've included writers & performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show—all joyously declaring Let's Have a Ball

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm ($30 & 2-drink min.) A cast member for four seasons of Saturday Night Live who's also performed on Conan O'Brien, MTV, VH1, and feature films, headlining through Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Jim Breuer

[FREE—plus FREE BEER!] 8:30 pm: A variety show of stand-up, storytelling, and sketch that's not only free, but promises to give each of the first 25 audience members who arrive a free beer! Unfortunately, the lineup hasn't been announced; but if you'd care to take a chance, join hosts Ray Combs Jr., Evan Jacobs, and Aalap Patel as they provide you a drink On the House

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—with honors including being Cage Match Champion for three years in a row, and winning the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Improv Group—genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

9:00 pm ($7): Organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track!

9:30 pm ($10): "A cabaret of darkly funny songs and topical sketch comedy about culture and politics," following sold out shows at Joe's Pub: Political Subversities

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($15 both online and at the door using discount code SBWC, otherwise $20): This top musical improv troupe has wowed audiences around the world with its skill at making up an hour-long musical moment by moment. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment, even the song lyrics and the "choreography" are invented on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. Come see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event by catching tonight's edition of Baby Wants Candy

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, fast-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience interaction and audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King interviews an audience member about where he or she grew up and then creates an entire show based on the mini-bio: The Curfew: Not From Around Here

10:30 pm ($7): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney (Statues of Liberty) and Leslie Korein as comedy trio Trike

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($10): Sketch duo Chris O'Neill and Paul Valenti describe themselves as "vaudeville gold for a 2011 crowd." Whatever. They're funny. Especially the bit with the nose. Come catch their latest material tonight at The Chris and Paul Show

[FREE] 11:45 pm : A weekly chance for you to shine, as students and veteran improvisors share the stage to form "rare and wonderful one-night-only teams," with sign-up starting at 11:30 pm: Magnet Mixer

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): "Richard M. Nixon has clawed his way back into elected office: Director of the Heavenly Choir. For his premiere concert he's putting together a slew of dead celebrities eager to show off their musical chops. It's a once-in-a-after-lifetime event!" The participating comics in this rollercoaster event that's likely to be a mix of very bad bits and very funny ones include Will Hines, Jawnee Conroy, Ryan Karels, Rob Lathan, Aaron Glaser, Geoff Garlock, Don Fanelli...and many more: Live From Heaven: Richard M. Nixon's Mandatory Fun-Time Concert

NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 4/17/11

Two of the greatest comics ever: Dave Hill (Pretty Good Friends) and Anthony Jeselnik ( Comedy Night)

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 4:00 pm & 8:00 pm ($35.50 with discount code BIRBIG): One of the finest comics in the country, Mike Birbiglia's credits include the hour-long Comedy Central special What I Should Have Said is Nothing; two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials; multiple appearances on David Letterman and Conan O'Brien; comedy CDs Two Drink Mike and My Secret Public Journal—Live; the book Sleepwalk with Me & Other Painfully True Stories; and his hit off-Broadway show Sleepwalk with Me. Mike's now returned to the stage, once again creating his unique blend of stand-up and storytelling, for an all-new one-man show at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street, just one block from the #1 subway's Christopher Street stop) slated to run through May 15th: Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend's Boyfriend

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 5:00 pm ($18.50 online using discount code ADVANCE ): One of the very best shows at FringeNYC 2010 was an award-winning comedy from NYC's own Faye Lane, a luminous storyteller and singer who will charm your socks off—and possibly give you a moon pie to boot—at the Soho Playhouse's downstairs Huron Club. This marvelous event recently received a 2011 Bistro Award for Musical Comedy and a nomination for the 2011 MAC Award for Special Production. Please read my review by clicking here, watch Faye make a pecan pie by clicking here, and then take advantage of this revival running Sundays through May to experience the hilarious and unforgettable Faye Lane's Beauty Shop Stories

7:00 pm ($5): Improv based on headlines from the amazing New York Post: Headless Body in Topless Bar

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10) and 9:30 pm [FREE]: UCBT's signature improv comedy extravaganza, which typically includes stars in the improv world, and sometimes even TV & movie stars such as Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz: ASSSCAT 3000

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($7): Thoroughly wonderful stand-ups Dave Hill (one of the most original and hilariously sharp alternative comics in the country; HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, NPR, star of The King of Miami, band Diamondsnake, champion rapper; The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Dave Hill Explosion), Andrea Rosen (HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Comedy Central's Stella, Variety SHAC, stellar one-woman show Ding, Dong, Meow, winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Stand-Up), and Julian McCullough (fiercely funny rising star; Comedy Central Presents, MTV, VH1) performing at Brooklyn's Union Hall guest-hosted by Kurt Braunohler (Comedy Central, Hot Tub Variety): Pretty Good Friends

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Very funny NYC stand-ups Mark Normand, Jared Logan, Andy Rocco, and Erick Hellwig performing at The PIT's downstairs lounge for a free weekly show hosted by Chris Grace and Sean Donnelly: Cold Soda Comedy

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Claudia Cogan (Last Comic Standing), Andy Haynes (Jimmy Fallon), Danny Lobell (host of Comical Radio), Anthony P. Devito, and more performing at RG Daniels' free weekly show at the Three of Cups East Village lounge: Sunday Night Stand-Up

8:00 pm ($5): Improvisors team up with poets at Kiss*Punch*Poem

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Anthony Jeselnik (one of my all-time favorite stand-ups; Jimmy Fallon, Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central Presents; debut comedy CD Shakespeare), Todd Barry (HBO, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents, The Sarah Silverman Program, Adult Swim, feature films The Wrestler and Pete Smalls is Dead), Nick Turner (host of Monsters and Too Cool for School), Elon James White, Damien Lemon, Will Miles, and musical guest Darling Cait performing at Brooklyn's Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Avenue) hosted by the wonderful Hannibal Buress (staff writer for 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live; David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Louie, Comedy Central): Comedy Night

[FREE] 9:00 pm: NYC stand-ups (not yet announced) performing in the East Village's Beauty Bar at Vince Averill's & Jesse Popp's free weekly show Beauty Bar Comedy

9:30 pm ($5): Musical improv from troupe 10 Pound Alley

9:30 pm ($5): Two improv groups competing for audience laughs and votes—yes, like UCBT's Cage Match, but with less well-known troupes and an escalating challenge component—at Magnet Inferno

[FREE] 10:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Paul Case (HereTV’s Hot Gay Comics), M. Dickson, and Yamaneika performing at this free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy hosted by Brad Loekle (TruTV): Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up, with 4 minutes per comic, at The PIT's downstairs lounge hosted by Rob Stern: Vicious Cycle

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