NYC Comedy Picks for Week of August 8, 2011

NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 8/8/11

Andrea Rosen does stand-up—if she's not busy giving birth—tonight at Marking Out ;
improv geniuses Anthony Atamanuik and Neil Casey craft a film on the spot as The Two-Man Movie ...

...one of the finest storytellers in the country puts on The Adam Wade from New Hampshire Show;
and one of the greatest musical improv troupes in the country performs as Baby Wants Candy

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

[FREE] 6:00 pm: An open mic stand-up show running about 90 minutes at The Creek in Queens' Long Island City with host Chris Gaynor: Open Mic Mondays

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): A monthly storytelling show from the wonderful Adam Wade (two-time Moth GrandSlam Storytelling Champion (2006 & 2009) and record-breaking 15-time StorySlam Champion; The New York Times Magazine; host of Real Tales of College; for Adam's award-winning tale of being an NBC page on Conan O'Brien, please click here), along with guest storyteller Dan Kennedy, with improv illustrator Sharon Spell drawing scenes as they're described and the rockin' BTK Band following up at 9:00 pm, all at Under St. Marks: The Adam Wade from New Hampshire Show: Tales of Life, Love, and Little League

7:00 pm & 9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): The perfect show for short attention spans—open mic stand-up with 4 minutes per set and 25 comics crammed into 2 hours—with an early show hosted by Sean Donnelly & Blaine Perry at 7:00 pm, and an entirely different group of stand-ups hosted by Dan Cartwright & Dave Greek at 9:00 pm—at the Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) for John Morrison's Motel Luca

[FREE] 7:30 pm: Mike Lawrence (shrewdly funny curmudgeon; Comedy Central), Liz Miele (Comedy Central), Kara Klenk (Comedy Central, MTV, co-host of If You Build It), Dan Cartwright, Danny Lobell, and Giancarlo Mariutto performing stand-up at a free weekly show in the Manchester Pub guest-hosted tonight by Ray Marshall: Case of the Mondays Comedy

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($12): 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. Please note this is among the last chances to enjoy improv genius Tara Copeland on an NYC stage before Tara moves to LA next month. Come see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event by catching any or all of this five-night run (through Friday) at the Hudson Guild Theatre (441 West 26th Street): Baby Wants Candy

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Andrea Rosen (most hilarious pregnant stand-up alive—and who may give birth at any moment, which is reason enough to come to the show; HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Comedy Central's Stella, Variety SHAC, one-woman show Ding Dong Meow, winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Stand-Up), Christian Finnegan (co-star of TBS' Are We There Yet?; three Comedy Central specials; MSNBC, VH1's Best Week Ever, Chappelle's Show, The Today Show), Ryan Reiss, and musical guest who's "a special secret friend" (creepy!) performing at The Ace Hotel's Liberty Hall (20 West 29th Street) hosted by Matt McCarthy (TV, movies, commercials, you name it): Marking Out

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Gavin Speiller (Death By Roo Roo, Ben Rodgers (Reuben Williams, Cage Match), and Jonathan Gabrus (The Law Firm, The Nights of Our Lives) make up a single long scene as genius troupe Outlook of the Poet ; and in the other half of this double-bill Joanna Bradley performs a one-woman show about how awful people are, directed by the wonderful Becky Drysdale: Everybody's Dumb and Boring

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): My #1 pick for the 2007 FringeNYC Festival, this wonderful group of actresses/improvisors portray characters as if they were in a play, but improvise everything they say and do. The luminous performers include Katharine Heller, Brenna Palughi, Lynne Rosenberg, Lauren Seikaly, and Molly Knefel, each of whom is immensely appealing and quick-witted. Further, they have an intimate, lovely chemistry with each other; and they've all committed to baring their personal lives, thinly disguised via their characters (hence the title's Naked). As a result, this is one of the most honest & nuanced improvised shows you'll ever see. This show was previously a wonderful theatrical event that cost $18 and up. Don't miss this five-week Monday evening run, concluding August 15th, at the elegant Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street, near the #1 subway's Christopher Street stop) that allows you to catch the gals for a mere $10: Naked in a Fishbowl

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: NYC stand-ups performing at Brooklyn's Freddy's Bar (627 Fifth Avenue; take R subway to Prospect Avenue) for this free biweekly show hosted by Brooke Van Poppelen (brilliant stand-up, writer, and storyteller; TLC, blogger for trutV; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here) and Giulia Rozzi (Jimmy Kimmel, MTV, VH1, Playgirl Magazine, co-host of Stripped Stories): Dive Comedy

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Neil Casey & Anthony Atamanuik, both genius members of Death by Roo Roo, perform the jaw-dropping feat of making up an entire feature film at the Hudson Guild Theatre (441 West 26th Street) tonight and Tuesday as The Two-Man Movie

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): One of UCBT's very finest in-house sketch comedy troupes Dweeb (spearheaded by the razor-sharp Amy Heidt and Stephen Soroka), plus in-house troupe Thunder Gulch (which isn't what it used to be, but features such appealing talents as Leslie Meisel, Ari Scott, and Amber Nelson), trying out new bits at Maude Night

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:30 pm: Typically stellar comics in a show "where improv and stand-up bleeds in and out of each other. One comedian starts with stand-up. Soon he or she is joined by a second comedian—and the two improvise scenes inspired by the first comic's stand-up. Eventually the first comic leaves and the second comedian performs stand-up. When that set is over, her or she's joined by the first comedian and a third comedian. The three improvise scenes inspired by the second comedian's set. Then comedians one and two exit, and the third comedian performs his/her set until being joined by comedians one, two and a new fourth comedian...and so on. The process continues till we run out of comedians stashed backstage." It's all the brainchild of Nick Vatterott, who hosts this bold & messy new format at The Creek in Queens' Long Island City upstairs theatre: Klusterphuk

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest stand-ups in the world—who tonight include John Mulaney (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), Gary Gulman (Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), and Kurt Braunohler (Comedy Central; creator & host of IFC game show Pointless; co-creator & co-star of UK TV series Penelope: Princess of Pets; co-host of Hot Tub Variety; triple 2011 ECNY Award winner)—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (HBO, Saturday Night Live, Conan O'Brien, 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 8/9/11

Star Ted Alexandro and other razor-sharp comics comment on cinematic scenes of NYC becoming an even worse place
to reside at Robbie Collier's fun new show at The Creek: Hey We Live There!: Dystopia Cornucopia Edition

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] 7:00 pm: Open mic for comedy of all types (with sign-up starting at 6:00) at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre hosted by Robert Dean: The Dean's List

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm to Midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—and in celebration of this upcoming weekend's Del Close Marathon, tonight features all four of UCBT's top improv troupes—Death by Roo Roo, The Law Firm, The Stepfathers, and The Curfew—plus at 10:30 pm UCBT students perform with improv veterans at Jammin' With Ralph—all at Harold Night

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Marina Franklin (developing into one of the finest stand-ups in the country, with an uncommonly gentle, graceful style that's pure joy; Last Comic Standing, Chappelle's Show, VH1, Comedy Central's Premium Blend), Joe Garden (Editor of The Onion), 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), Costaki Economopoulos (Showtime's Caroline Rhe & Friends, The Bob and Tom Radio Show), Kevin Barnett, and musical guest Eden and John's East RIver String Band performing at the Lolita Bar at Liam McEneaney's Tell Your Friends

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Comics creators joining super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture, at The PIT's downstairs lounge: Comic Book Club

[FREE] 8:00 pm: At this unique show, stand-ups play videos they've made about themselves and then perform sets, with tonight's guests Paul Oddo, Michael Che, Jessie Richardson, and Rojo Perez: Anecdotal Evidence

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: The Sound & the Fury and Tambourine

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Some of the most inept movie scenes of New York City being turned into a dystopia, with clips from Soylent Green, 2019: After the Fall of New York, and I Am Legend (actually a fine film, Robbie must be running out of bad ones), guided by stellar stand-ups Ted Alexandro (one of the very finest stand-ups in the country; David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials; frequently opens for Louis C.K.), Jon FIsch (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, VH1), Jesse Joyce (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, FOX), Dave Waite, Tim Dimond, plus stand-up sets from Mike Recine and Andrew Short, all at Queens LIC's The Creek downstairs lounge hosted by Robbie Collier: Hey We Live There!: Dystopia Cornucopia Edition

9:30 pm ($5): Improvised episodes of the never-made third season of Twin Peaks at The PIT's upstairs theatre: In These Woods

9:30 pm ($5): NYC stand-ups Avi Liberman, Andy Haynes, Robert Kelly, and more performing at the PIT downstairs lounge hosted by Joe DeRosa (HBO’s Down and Dirty, Comedy Central Presents) and Jared Logan (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central): Righteous Kill

[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

[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 8/10/11

It's a blowout evening at UCBT that includes a rare NYC performance by Ian Roberts and Justin Purnell's last School Night

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

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

[$] 7:00 pm (no cover if you mention you came for Brooke Van Poppelen, but 2-drink min.) NYC stand-ups—including the beloved Brooke Van Poppelen (brilliant stand-up, writer, and storyteller; blogger for trutV; TLC; co-host of Dive Comedy; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here)—audition for the chance to appear on Comedy Central's upcoming Comics to Watch show by performing their best material tonight at the Carolines Comedy Club: Comics to Watch Auditions

8:00 pm, 9:00 pm, and 10:00 pm ($5): Magnet house troupes performing improv, followed by a free show at 11:30 pm: The Magnet's Megawatt

8:00 pm ($5—which includes a free beer!): NYC stand-ups (not announced) performing stand-up at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Nick Turner: Monsters

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Frankly, watching a guy singlehandedly recreate a Step By Step-like sitcom didn't sound that interesting to me. Then persistent PR wiz Leila Cohan-Miccio pushed me to see it—and am grateful she did. Seth Kirschner (30 Rock, Lipstick Jungle) lavishes astonishing care to the nuanced movements, facial expressions, and concise dialogue of every character he portrays. His sheer joy at representing subtle details gives this show a depth that transcends the source material; and even though I never watched 90s family sitcoms, I felt like their DNA had been imprinted into my being—warm fuzzy feelings and all—by the time the 30 minutes flew by. Seth Kirschner is an exceptionally talented comedic performer whose passion for both pop culture and the craft of acting shine through in this production. I'm still not sure recreating a sitcom is the best use of his immense talent...but I can't argue with the result, which is one of the finest shows to grace the UCBT stage this year: Sertainly Seth...

...and in the other half of this double-bill, Nicole Byer, Sasheer Zamata, and Keisha Zollar have become some of the most energetic & entertaining comics at UCBT as all-gal improv troupe Doppelganger

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): An excerpt of my coverage of the 2007 Del Close Marathon:

Ian Roberts performed two 30-minute monologues titled Lazy Man, because he claims to be too lazy to plan and script a one-man show. Instead, Roberts did something incredibly courageous: he dug deep to connect with his fears and hopes, and shared them with the audience unplanned and in the moment.

Roberts' first show revolved around how entering his 40s has led to giving up many of his youthful dreams of glory: "I thought I'd be a multimillion dollar actor. Now I'm not sure I'll even be a $16,000 actor." On the up side, it's also given him a more relaxed perspective: "I've been exhausted for a long time about nothing; things that really don't matter. Now I look at the sky and the clouds, and realize how small I am; which makes all my troubles tiny and insignificant." The father of young children, part of him feels harassed by the responsibilities; but then he'll pick up his baby with love and say, "It wasn't your idea to be here." Still, Roberts can't help worrying about his kids: "They don't know they'll get kicked in the teeth when they go out into the world and people tell them their f*cking drawings don't look anything like what they think they do." Roberts lamented that there's no way to win with child-rearing: "It's like you're told to move some precious Steuben Glass piece across the country. And so you wrap it up in styrofoam and heavy wood and do everything you can to protect it. And then when it finally arrives safely, it screams at you, 'You ruined me! You suffocated me in styrofoam! You imprisoned me in wood! No one got to see me, or play with me!! And I've never learned how not to break!!!'" Roberts said he's lucky in that his main task is to make money; his wife handles the truly difficult job, and the one that matters, which is raising the kids. Which isn't to say Roberts doesn't pitch in; for example, he makes up little rituals to help put his daughter to bed. Problem was, his daughter used to insist on keeping each ritual she enjoyed, and Roberts couldn't stop himself from creating new ones to entertain her, so the "getting to bed" experience grew longer and longer until it was taking more than an hour each night. Roberts finally convinced his daughter to put some rituals in rotation "to be revived periodically, like a repertory theatre." Finally, with age comes wisdom such as this: "I now realize we're all f*cked up. And there's a certain comfort in that."

Roberts' second show focused on a series of awful experiences he's had as an actor. These included a commercial shoot that required having meat taped to his pants so a dog would snap at his leg; an audition for a part consisting entirely of the words, "Too bad," and the casting director asking "Can you put a little more into that?"; and an audition with a big-name actor who apparently felt the appropriate "in the moment" action was to kick Roberts in the ass. Regarding the latter, Roberts said he should've grabbed the star by the shoulders and thrown him against the wall; but Roberts simply thanked everyone for the opportunity and left...without even getting the part.

The acting tales shed light on one of Roberts' favorite characters, a retarded guy who's surprisingly cunning. To navigate the Hollywood system, Roberts has undoubtedly often played dumb—because it would dent egos to let on he was by far the smartest guy in the room.

Roberts concluded, "May you be braver than I." I'd say that misses the mark, though, because his recounting of the incidents—and the other ways in which Roberts made himself emotionally vulnerable and open, while never for a second neglecting to entertain—was jaw-droppingly brave, even for a master improvisor.

As I write this, tonight's edition of Ian's show hasn't yet sold out. Guys, this is a rare opportunity to experience a genius at his best. Grab tickets immediately for Ian Roberts: Lazy Man

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-writer/director/producer & cast member of Adult Swim's awesome & Emmy-winning Moral Orel) teaming up with fellow 30 Rock actor John Lutz (who previously spent six years as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live) to form a super-smart and hilarious star improv duo who should not be missed...and are performing tonight and tomorrow at the Hudson Guild Theatre (441 West 26th Street): John & Scott

[MEGA-TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Host Justin Purnell (The Colbert Report) has hosted this wonderful show more than 350 times over the past eight years. I considered School Night the beating heart of UCBT—a place where anyone Justin believed deserved a chance could try out ideas and material in a casual late-night environment. Some of NYC's best comedy shows were birthed on this supportive stage. Every week Justin packed a dozen or more comics into 75 minutes performing stand-up, improv, sketch, and occasionally acts that defy categorization. The level of talent varied wildly, but for some (like me), that was part of the laid-back fun; and this was often one of the most amazing comedy shows in town—which is why it was my pleasure to support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises, that this uniquely organic rollercoaster of a show made possible.

The show is slated to continue past tonight, but Justin is leaving his hosting duties to go to (ironically) business school. However superb the guest hosts, it won't be the same without him.

Come enjoy this blowout finale, which includes star stand-ups Janeane Garofalo and Todd Barry, world-class improv troupes Rogue Elephant, Krompf, and Doppelganger, and other ace comics—and don't forget to toss $1 in the bucket on your way out: School Night

[FREE] 11:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up running until 1:00 am, with time divided evenly between performers (up to five minutes), at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens' Long Island City with host Rob Stern: Bucket 'O Buckets

NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 8/11/11

Upright Citizens Brigade co-founders Matt Walsh and Matt Besser make rare NYC appearances tonight
(to help usher in this weekend's Del Close Marathon) at Apples & Oranges and The Back Room

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] [FREE] 6:00 pm: A free screening of a 2002 documentary about improv legend Del Close featuring memories from such stars as Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh: The Delmonic Interviews

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up with comics drawing names from a bucket, with each chosen one receiving three minutes at The Creek's upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Corby Haas

[FREE] 6:30 pm: In this free show, audience members (signing in at 6) can join in with veteran improv talents to make up scenes on the spot: Magnet Mixer

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Matt Besser, co-founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade, hosts comedy stars Horatio Sanz, Todd Barry, Chris Gethard, Kate McKinnon, John Gemberling, Craig Rowan, Rob Lathan, and James Adomian at The Back Room

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Comedy veterans Laura Grey (stellar old-time radio style theatrical podcast Horrorgasm, sketch/improv duo Klepper & Grey), Jodi Lennon (Second City, Annoyance Theatre, iO, Exit 57), and Ari Voukydis (Conan O'Brien, VH1) performing an improvised play in What a Year!

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($7): Some of the Magnet Theatre's finest improvisors make up theatrical plays on the spot: Playhouse

[$] 8:00 pm ($27.25 & 2-drink min.) A comic who won Last Comic Standing Season 3, has performed on Jay Leno, and starred in his own Showtime one-hour special Who's Paying Attention?, headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Alonzo Bodden

8:00 pm ($8): "A 17-person middle school talent show created and performed by two people—Jo Firestone and Dylan Marron—who like themselves more now that they're older. A comedic tribute to the best three years of our lives, and a comedic play for anyone who ever thought it couldn't get any better than prank calls and slow-dancing:" Ridgefield Middle School Talent Nite

[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 comedy genius Sean Patton: Comedy as a Second Language

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Matt Walsh, one of the finest improvisors alive, performs with Jon Glaser (Conan O'Brien, Adult Swim's Delocated) in Apples & Oranges; and Mark Sutton & Jodi Lennon perform the beloved improv show Bassprov

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-writer/director/producer & cast member of Adult Swim's awesome & Emmy-winning Moral Orel) teaming up with fellow 30 Rock actor John Lutz (who previously spent six years as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live) to form a super-smart and hilarious star improv duo who should not be missed...and are performing tonight at the Hudson Guild Theatre (441 West 26th Street): John & Scott

9:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): NYC stand-ups performing at Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) for Sean Crespo's & Carol Hartsell's weekly comedy show Lasers in the Jungle

9:30 pm ($5): A brand new episode of a classic sitcom written (by Luke Ward) as if it was happening during the height of the show's popularity, with tonight's subject Family Ties: To Be Continued

9:30 pm ($5): Improvisors (not announced) make up one-act plays on the spot at The PIT's basement lounge for The Scene

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: Krompf, one of the best improv troupes in NYC (consisting of Neil Casey, Amey Goerlich, Ryan Karels, and Joe Wengert), performing with its graduating improv students: Second Annual Krompf Extravaganza

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): UCBT-LA's late night sketch/music variety show performing for one evening only here in NYC. Come catch a small army of young talent at The Midnight Show

11:00 pm ($5): Magnet improv troupes Brick and Patina compete for audience laughs and votes—yes, like UCBT's Cage Match, but with a game-like challenge component—at Inspirado

NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 8/12/11

Riki Lindhome & Kate Micucci will be brilliant, sexy, and irresistibly fun tonight at Gotham Comedy as musical duo Garfunkel & Oates

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

[MEGA-TOP PICK] One of the most magical events in NYC, the annual Del Close Improv Marathon will run continuously from 4:30 pm on Friday August 12th until 9:30ish pm on Sunday August 14th. Improv troupes from all around the US and Canada—New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Austin, Miami, Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, Phoenix, Raleigh, Toronto, Vancouver, and more—will perform over 150 shows, typically in 30 minute blocks, for 55+ hours. Tickets will be $25 for the entire weekend—an incredible bargain. Paul Scheer said several years ago the appropriate charge would be around $600, and he mostly wasn't kidding.

As in past years, the only down side is way more patrons than available space, which will cause long waits to get into the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre at 307 West 26th Street, which seats about 150. However, the congestion will be somewhat eased by three additional venues just a couple of blocks from UCBT: The Hudson Guild Theatre at 441 West 26th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues), which seats 99; Urban Stages at 259 West 30th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues), which seats 74; and the Fashion Institute of Technology Kate Murphy Amphitheatre at corner West 27th Street & 7th Avenue, which seats 280. To learn more, please click here.

The listings below include DCM shows at the FIT Auditorium that are an additional $12 to see—unless they don't sell out, in which case those with marathon passes can receive any remaining seats free of charge.

[FREE] 6:00 pm: An open mic show on a lottery system (sign-ups start at 5:30 pm) at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City with hosts Mike Recine and Annie Lederman: The Shinebox

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($12): 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. Please note this is among the last chances to enjoy improv genius Tara Copeland on an NYC stage before Tara moves to LA next month. Come see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event—performing tonight at the Fashion Institute of Technology Kate Murphy Amphitheatre (corner West 27th Street & 7th Avenue): Baby Wants Candy

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm ($18 at the box office by mentioning discount code FAYEB): 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 2011 MAC Award for Special Production. Please read my review by clicking here, watch Faye make a pecan pie by clicking here, see Faye be a Green Bean by clicking here, and then take advantage of this revival running Friday nights to experience the hilarious and unforgettable Faye Lane's Beauty Shop Stories

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Dan St. Germain (quick-witted rising star; Jimmy Fallon, MTV, VH1; for reenactment of Dan's breakup, please click here), Joe List (Comedy Central), Liz Miele (Comedy Central), Kara Klenk (co-host of If You Build It), and Matt Baetz performing stand-up at O'Hanlon's (14th Street off 1st Avenue) hosted by Mark Normand: Hot Soup

8:00 pm ($10): An improv troupe making up a musical on the spot after a friendly greeting: Hello

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($27.25 & 2-drink min.) A comic who won Last Comic Standing Season 3, has performed on Jay Leno, and starred in his own Showtime one-hour special Who's Paying Attention?, headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Alonzo Bodden

[FREE] 8:00 pm: An open mic show that's first come, first serve (sign-ups start at 7:30 pm), with each comic getting five minutes on stage at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens' Long Island City: Mic and Cheese

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci are an adorably dark comedy folk duo who have appeared on such network TV shows on Scrubs and Jay Leno (to check out their videos, please click here); and they're headlining tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club via their stage names Garfunkel & Oates

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 8:30 pm ($12): Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-writer/director/producer & cast member of Adult Swim's awesome & Emmy-winning Moral Orel) teaming up with fellow 30 Rock actor John Lutz (who previously spent six years as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live) to form a super-smart and hilarious star improv duo who should not be missed...and are performing tonight at the Fashion Institute of Technology Kate Murphy Amphitheatre (corner West 27th Street & 7th Avenue): John & Scott

[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($12): The Emmy-winning writers of The Colbert Report—and possibly a surprise star or two—gather on stage to perform an all-improvised show at the Fashion Institute of Technology Kate Murphy Amphitheatre (corner West 27th Street & 7th Avenue): Seize the Mustard

[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors, including such world-class performers as the breathtakingly talented Tara Copeland, using an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 11:15 pm ($5): A brilliant group of improvisors from Chicago and New York—spearheaded by Improv legend Joe Bill, who's coming into town this weekend for the Del Close Marathon—offers lightning-quick dark comedy unlike anything else in NYC. In addition to Joe, the troupe consists of Jordan Klepper (Klepper & Grey, iO, ), Jodi Lennon (Comedy Central's Exit 57), Ari Voukydis (UCB instructor, VH!'s Best Week Ever), Doug Stoley (Conan O'Brien, UCB), Rick Andrews (Magnet performer), Mark Grenier (Magnet instructor), Jen Sanders (Magnet performer), and Chet Siegel (Magnet performer). While this Magnet show isn't part of DCM, with Joe Bill participating it's likely to be as awesome as anything at the UCBT festival: Lights Out, Shirley!

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 11:30 pm ($12): TV star & improv legend Horatio Sanz gets together with some of his friends to make stuff up at the Fashion Institute of Technology Kate Murphy Amphitheatre (corner West 27th Street & 7th Avenue): Horatio Sanz & the Kings of Comedy

NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 8/13/11

An a cappella quartet that became TV comedy stars performs for one night only at the Highline Ballroom: The Blanks...

...and comedic musical duo Riki Lindhome & Kate Micucci conclude their run tonight at Gotham Comedy as Garfunkel & Oates

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

That said, there are other comedy shows happening this weekend too. The most notable of them include:

[FREE] 5:00 pm: An open mic stand-up show hosted by the hilarious Dan St. Germain and Mike Lawrence at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: The Woodshed

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm ($25 plus $10 food/drink min. at tables): A popular comedic a cappella quartet & sketch group that sung frequently in the TV series Scrubs, and that's released the album Riding the Wave (for samples, please click here and here and here) performing for one night only at the Highline Ballroom (431 West 16th Street, off Ninth Avenue): The Blanks

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci are an adorably dark comedy folk duo who have appeared on such network TV shows on Scrubs and Jay Leno (to check out their videos, please click here); and they're headlining one last night at the Gotham Comedy Club via their stage names Garfunkel & Oates

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Karen Kilgariff (Mr. Show; head writer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show) celebrates the release of her superb comedy music CD Behind You with stand-ups Tony Camin, Ross Hyzer, and host Sean Crespo at Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) for producer Carol Hartsell's Karen Kilgariff's CD Release Party

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Leo Allen (former writer for Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central Presents, Conan O'Brien, HBO's Funny or Die, director/co-writer of Comedy Central's Jon Benjamin Has a Van, host of top NYC comedy show Whiplash), Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central, AMC, hilarious shorts with Pete Holmes for Front Page Films, national TV ads as Verizon FIOS guy, feature film The Other Guys), Craig Baldo (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central), Jordan Carlos (Comedy Central, MTV), Pat O'Shea (host of Ed Sullivan on Acid), and Kerri Lendo (big in Austin) performing stand-up at Karma Lounge (51 First Avenue, off 3rd Street) with hosts Kara Klenk and Nick Turner: If You Build It

[FREE—plus FREE BEER!] 8:00 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

9:00 pm ($7): "Strange, mysterious, beautiful, and disgusting, this show will dazzle you with sketch comedy... and magic!" from witchy duo Angela DeManti & Emily Shapiro: The Weird Sisters

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] 10:00 pm ($8): NYC's heavy metal version of a sketch troupe, which provides odd, unsettling, and fearless dark comedy—and won last year's ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group—performing this monthly show at The PIT's downstairs lounge: Murderfist

[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

10:30 pm ($7): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney as comedy duo Trike

[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups in a late-night talk show format at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Michael Che: Michael Che's Community Service

[FREE] Midnight: 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

NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 8/14/11

Julian McCullough (Comedy Night) and Myq Kaplan (Laughter in the Park)

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy today & tonight

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

[MEGA-TOP PICK] One of the most magical events in NYC, the annual Del Close Improv Marathon is running continuously from 4:30 pm on Friday August 12th until past midnight on Sunday August 14th. Improv troupes from all around the US and Canada—New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Austin, Miami, Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, Phoenix, Raleigh, Toronto, Vancouver, and more—will perform over 150 shows, typically in 30 minute blocks, for 55+ hours. Tickets will be $25 for the entire weekend—an incredible bargain. Paul Scheer said several years ago the appropriate charge would be around $600, and he mostly wasn't kidding.

That said, there are other comedy shows happening this weekend too. The most notable of them include:

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 2:00 pm: Myq Kaplan (one of the quickest minds in comedy, and rapidly rising star; finalist on most recent Last Comic Standing; Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents, hit comedy CD Vegan Mind Meld), Carmen Lynch (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), Morgan Venticinque (Jimmy Fallon), Selena Coppock, Nick Turner, and host Lori Sommer performing at Washington Square Park's Holley Plaza: Laughter in the Park

[FREE] 4:00 pm: An unusually early walk-in open mic stand-up show (for details, please click here) at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Face-Plant Comedy Showcase

6:00 pm ($5): Joe Moses became a YouTube star with A Very Potter Musical. In this show, he uses sketch, improv, and music to "share his unique perspective on what it's like to be a young artist in NYC, and an online celebrity:" The Joe Moses One Man Showses

[FREE] 7:00 pm: Sketch, improv, and more at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City from comedy troupe Froduce

[$] 8:00 pm ($27.25 & 2-drink min.) A comic who won Last Comic Standing Season 3, has performed on Jay Leno, and starred in his own Showtime one-hour special Who's Paying Attention?, headlining one last night at the Carolines Comedy Club: Alonzo Bodden

[FREE] 8:00 pm: The Reformed Whores (raunchy comedic singing duo Marie Cecile Anderson & Katy Frame), Rose Surnow, David Waite, Dan Goodman, 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): A one-man show: Jason Blanche's Hair Flip; and in the other half of this double-bill, a mini-play about aspiring Country Western musicians: The Oakwood Boys

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Julian McCullough (fiercely funny rising star; Comedy Central Presents, MTV, VH1), Giulia Rozzi (Jimmy Kimmel, MTV, VH1, Playgirl Magazine, co-host of Dive comedy and Stripped Stories), Ryan Hamilton, Kevin Barnett, and Ramon Rivas performing at Brooklyn's Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Avenue) guest-hosted by Damien Lemon: Comedy Night

[FREE] 9:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Neil Charles, Phil Hanley, Taylor Clark, Grant Gordon, Alice Wetterlund, and Robert Dean performing at the East Village's Beauty Bar for Vince Averill's free weekly show Beauty Bar Comedy

9:30 pm ($5): A mini-play about a small town overrun by bugs: Booters; and in the second half of this double-bill, a character-based sketch show: The Day Terrors

[$] 10:00 pm ($31.25 & 2-drink min.) 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 through Sunday at Carolines: Paul Mooney

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Mel & El (fabulous musical duo; hosts of That Time of the Month), Allison Castillo, and Naomi Ekperigin performing stand-up at a free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy hosted by Brad Loekle: 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

NYC Comedy Picks for Tonight

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