NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 12/19/11
Comedy genius John Oliver performs tonight at both the Morrison Motel and Whiplash...
...Reggie Watts makes unique music at Comedy Central Corporate Retreat, improv turns to lightning with The Swarm...
...and Julie Klausner, Michael Showalter, Andrea Rosen, and more perform at The Moon Show
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 upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City with host Chris Gaynor: Open Mic Mondays
[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): World-class storyteller Adam Wade (two-time Moth GrandSlam Storytelling Champion (2006 & 2009) and record-breaking 17-time StorySlam Champion; The New York Times Magazine; host of The Adam Wade Show; for Adam's award-winning tale of being an NBC page on Conan O'Brien, please click here) hosts a show at The Magnet that's "like watching the characters of The Wonder Years and Freaks & Geeks all grown up and telling coming-of-age tales of love, lost, regret, and redemption," with tonight's guests Dale Davidson (invaluable FringeNYC staffer & Magnet improvisor), Matt Sheerfek, and John Brennan: Adam Wade's Whatever Happened to the Nerds?
[FREE] 7:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Calvin S. Cato, Patrick J. Mitchell, Kate Hendricks, Joe Larson, and Asie Mohtarez performing at a free weekly show in the Manchester Pub hosted by Phoebe Robinson: Case of the Mondays Comedy
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: Four improvisers form teams with comics they've never performed with before at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: The Kaleidoscope
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($12): Michael Showalter (MTV's The State, comedy troupe Stella, writer/star of feature films The Baxter and Wet Hot American Summer and Comedy Central's Michael & MIchael Have Issues; author of bestselling book Mr. Funny Pants), Julie Klausner (razor-sharp comic & storyteller, and author of I Don't Care About Your Band), Andrea Rosen (brilliant stand-up & storyteller; HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Comedy Central's Stella, Variety SHAC, The Nights of Our Lives, Ding Dong Meow, winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Stand-Up), and more performing at 92Y Tribeca, along with sketches from Moon regulars such as co-producer Jordan Clifford, the delightful Camille Harris, and hosts Nat Towsen & Bob Walles at this special edition of The Moon Show
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($14.83 online or $12 at the door): Hannibal Buress (staff writer for 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live; David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Louie, upcoming one-hour Comedy Central special), Jon Glaser (creator/star of Adult Swim's Delocated, long-time writer & sketch performer for Conan O'Brien, voiceover actor for Comedy Central and Adult Swim), "Adam the Real Man," and musical guest River City Extension 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 with Kurt & Kristen
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): A top comedy musical night featuring Reggie Watts (musical improv comedy genius; Comedy Central special; Jimmy Fallon; Electric Company; Conan O'Brien's Legally Prohibited tour; for video samples, please click here), Tom Shillue's barbershop quartet Scollay Square, Buckwheat Groats, and more performing at UCB East hosted by Max Silvestri (co-host of Big Terrific): Comedy Central Corporate Retreat
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Joe DeRosa (HBO’s Bored to Death and Down and Dirty, Comedy Central Presents, co-host of Righteous Kill, comedy CD The Depression Auction), Andy Haynes (Jimmy Fallon, Last Comic Standing), Alice Wetterlund (College Humor), John F. O'Donnell (Comedy Central, co-host of 50 First Jokes), Robbie Collier, and "a special guest" performing at the One and One Bar (1st Street & First Avenue) for this new weekly stand-up show hosted by Louis Katz, Tim Dimond, and J. F. Harris: Raw Guts
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): A silly holiday sketch/character comedy tradition at UCB Chelsea that makes fun of all things preppy, tonight featuring such talents as Violet Krumbein, Will Hines, Rob Lathan, Craig Rowin, Katie Schorr, and many more, hosted by Alex Scordelis and Chris Schell: The Brooks Brothers Christmas Clambake
8:30 pm ($5): Improv at The Magnet revolving around "the anticipation, the fall-out, that fragile moment when love blooms or dies" in Double Date, plus improv from troupe Honey
[TOP PICK] 8:30 pm doors, 9:00 pm show ($20, which includes 1 drink; please note this show has sold out, but there's a small chance of getting in via a stand-by line if folks who made reservations don't show up): A killer lineup of John Oliver, Myq Kaplan, Hannibal Buress, Carmen Lynch, Lee Camp, Liz Miele, and Steve Rosso performing stand-up at the Cornelia Street Cafe for John Morrison's Morrison Motel
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: PIT owner Ali Farahnakian and the school's razor-sharp instructors perform improv at The PIT downstairs lounge in The Faculty Part 2: Electric Boogaloo; plus improv troupe Technicolor
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): One of the most respected and influential improv troupes of all time that was legendary for its lightning-fast reactions is reunited for one night only at UCB Chelsea with members Andy Secunda, Sean Conroy, and Michael Delaney: The Swarm
[FREE] 9:30 pm: Pat O'Shea (host of Ed Sullivan on Acid) and Brooke Van Popplen & Giulia Rozzi (hosts of Dive Comedy), who normally alternate their biweekly shows at the same time and location, join forces tonight by welcoming NYC stand-ups Carla Rhodes, Kara Klenk, Jessimae Peluso, Stone and Stone, John F. O'Donnell, and more at Brooklyn's Freddy's Backroom (627 5th Avenue): Ed Sullivan on Acid & Dive Comedy Join Forces Spectacular
[FREE] 9:30 pm: "In moments of exhaustion, in the space of a hesitation, when a faltering spirit looms large, the sixth man comes off the bench and sparks a revolt against complacency and routine. The sixth man powers the team and washes over that faltering spirit with a cleansing energy. A show in which awesome teams are made even greater with the addition of a special guest improviser. Tag-ins, walk-ons, lay-ons, swinging doors, all manner of support work is allowed and encouraged" at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Andy Beckerman and Cory Palmer: Sixth Man
10:00 pm ($5): Improv is dominated by guys, so this is a rare treat—a dozen female improvisors "for an evening of comedy that will delight men, women, babies, and kittens" at The Magnet hosted by Megan Gray: We Might Just Kiss
10:00 pm ($5): Improv veterans Brandon Gardner, Chelsea Clarke, and Phillip Jackson hosting & performing in a show at UCB East with guest improvisors: Improv Nerds
[FREE] 10:30 pm: Improv students are welcomed onto the stage at The PIT downstairs lounge for this weekly open access show hosted by Gary DeNoia & Keith Huang: Base Jam
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest comics in the world—with tonight's guests John Oliver (star correspondent of The Daily Show, co-star of NBC's Community, star of Comedy Central's New York Stand-Up Show, screenwriter, and genius stand-up comic), star storyteller Tom Shillue (Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents, 2011 ECNY Award for Best Storyteller), Sean Conroy (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, legendary improv troupe The Swarm), Nick Turner (Jimmy Fallon; co-host of Too Cool For School and If You Bu=ild It), Sean O'Connor, and Zach Sherwin—performing at UCB Chelsea with wonderful Sean Patton (killer sets on Jimmy Fallon and Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language): 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 at The PIT upstairs theatre 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 12/20/11
Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show) performs at Seth Herzog's Sweet;
the co-creator of BBC's The Office and Extras performs
at Town Hall in
Stephen Merchant: Hello Ladies
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 ($29-$49): Stephen Merchant—the Emmy, BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winning co-creator with Ricky Gervais of BBC's The Office and Extras—performs a one-man stand-up show at Town Hall this Tuesday & Wednesday as part of an international tour: Stephen Merchant: Hello Ladies
8:00 pm ($5): Jena Friedman (wry dark comedy stand-up; staff writer for David Letterman), Rob Lathan (Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, ABC), and David Angelo performing at UCB East for a comedy variety show produced by Sara Schaefer & Scott Moran: Hot Dang
8:00 pm-Midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv at UCB Chelsea for only five bucks—tonight featuring all the UCBT house troupes—in order of appearance, Dance Break, Deckard, Sandino, Grandma's Ashes, Mr. Crime, Still Mike, Very Good Kiss, and Creature—for The Longest Harold Night of the Year
[FREE] 8:00 pm: This weekly show features "a swarthy selection of fine stand-up comics and mildly entertaining recurring segments" at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre, hosted by Jim Tews & Brendan Eyre: Chest Hair
[TOP PICK] 8:30 pm ($5 at the door; this show is sold out, but there might be a stand-by line in case some paid audience members don't show up): Jenny Slate, Gabe Liedman, and Max Silvestri (the hosts of Big Terrific) performing for this monthly show at Brooklyn's Union Hall hosted by Gabe Delahaye (Senior Editor of Videogum.com): Mr. Coconuts Comedy Show
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: Aquarius and Mint Condition
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Wyatt Cenac (star correspondent for The Daily Show), Sean Conroy (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, legendary improv troupe The Swarm), MC Mr Napkins, John Viener, and more performing at Ella (9 Avenue A) hosted by Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm (no cover, one drink min.): Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer sets on Jimmy Fallon and Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), John F. O'Donnell (co-host of 50 First Jokes), and Alex Grubard performing stand-up for this new weekly show at Sidewalk NYC (94 Avenue A) hosted by Josh Gondelman & George Gordon: The Afterlife
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): James Adomian (hilarious, super-charged character comic/impressionist; finalist on most recent Last Comic Standing; Harold and Kumar 2), Joe Pera, and MC Mr Napkins performing at The PIT downstairs lounge hosted by Joe DeRosa (HBO’s Down and Dirty, Comedy Central Presents) and Jared Logan (hilarious angry rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, co-host of Righteous Kill): Righteous Kill
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:30 pm: Some of the most inept movie scenes of New York City being ruined by Wall Street fatcats, with scenes from Wall Street, Boiler Room, Rent, and more, guided by surprise guest stand-ups at Queens LIC's The Creek downstairs lounge hosted by Robbie Collier: Hey We Live There!: Occupy Edition
[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($5): Two of the most brilliant, fearless, and innovative comics in the biz, John Gemberling (Death by Roo Roo, Adult Swim, Comedy Central) and Anthony Atamanuik (Death by Roo Roo, 30 Rock, Conan O'Brien, Huffington Post, The Nights of Our Lives), team up to create their special dark version of a comedy variety show at UCB East. Tonight's guests are Bridey Elliot (David Letterman, Conan O'Brien), Jon Friedman (Jimmy Fallon, The Rejection Show), and Craig Rowin (Comedy Central, ESPN, The Onion, The Law Firm, perpetrator of fabulous hoax Please Give Me One Million Dollars): The Tony and Johnny Show
[FREE] 10:15 pm: In this free Magnet show, audience members can join in with musical improv troupe Aquarius 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 at The PIT upstairs theatre hosted with wit and energy by Jay Welch: Bring It
[FREE] 11:30 pm: Open-mic stand-up at UCB East hosted by Boris Khaykin, John Trowbridge, and/or Katie East: Tuesday Night Open Mic
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 12/21/11
Todd Bieber debuts a hilarious show about his
past creating microbudget local TV ads: Commercial
Interruption;
new mom Andrea Rosen returns with one of the very best solo shows of the
year:
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] 6:00 pm to midnight: Six free hours of improvisation at The PIT's Super Free Wednesday
[FREE] 6:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up providing four minutes per comic, with "15 people chosen randomly through e-mail, and five walk-ins; and a guaranteed spot to anyone who performs in character as a famous explorer" at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre: Comedic Exploration Club of Long Island City, West
7:00 pm-12:30 am ($7 for the entire evening): Magnet house troupes Grappler, Leviathan, The Surge, The Wrath, Chet Watkins, Featherweight, Horses, and Brick performing improv, followed by a free audience interactive show with Leviathan at 11:30 pm: The Magnet's Megawatt
7:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Jon Rineman (writer for Jimmy Fallon), Jess Sutich (storyteller), Hadiyah Robinson, and Ben Conrad performing at Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) with host Selena Coppock: Connotation
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): For this double-bill at UCB East, Nicole Byer, Sasheer Zamata, and Keisha Zollar are first up as the fiercely energetic & entertaining all-gal improv troupe Doppelganger; and then genius improvisors Gavin Speiller of Death By Roo Roo, Ben Rodgers of The Curfew, and Jonathan Gabrus of The Law Firm) perform as Outlook of the Poet
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Todd Bieber, the razor-sharp Director of Content and Production for UCB Comedy, has had his own video/film work viewed over 25 million times via the sites of YouTube, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and many more. Tonight Todd debuts a show about how he used to make "shitty local commercials in rural Pennsylvania. And he was great at it. Come hear the true stories, watch the final commercials, see the outtakes, and find out how these ridiculously horrible commercials got made." Directed by UCBT Artistic Director Nate Dern, expect an exceptionally hilarious time at Commercial Interruption...
...and in the other half of this double-bill, enormously likable ace improvisor & sketch performer Doug Moe (Conan O'Brien, 30 Rock, Rescue Me, renowned improv troupe Mother) takes a stab at doing a solo show. The writing doesn't reach the potential of the subject, but it's still a pleasure to see Doug on stage, as well as enjoy video clips of his little angel of a five-year-old daughter: Doug Moe is a Bad Dad
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($29-$49): Stephen Merchant—the Emmy, BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winning co-creator with Ricky Gervais of BBC's The Office and Extras—performs a one-man stand-up show for one last night at Town Hall as part of an international tour: Stephen Merchant: Hello Ladies
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5—which includes a free beer!): Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer sets on Jimmy Fallon and Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), Brooke Van Poppelen (brilliant stand-up, writer, and storyteller; trutV, TLC, co-host of Dive Comedy; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here), Jeff Maurer, and MC Mr Napkins performing stand-up at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City for this weekly show hosted by Nick Turner & Jason Sáenz: Too Cool for School
[FREE] 8:30 pm: NYC stand-ups Rachael Parenta, Tod Montesi, Gary Vider, Dan Frigolette, Ray Marshall, Matt Sears, Justin McClure, and Jesse Jones performing at the only notable weekly comedy show I know of taking place in Astoria Queens—specifically, the Astoria Brewhouse (2850 31st Street): Brewhouse Comedy
[TOP PICK] 9:00 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 UCB East as The Two-Man Movie
[MEGA-TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): One of the very best shows of the year returns tonight at UCB Chelsea (following its star, Andrea Rosen, giving birth a few months ago). Andrea Rosen is already famed as a comic—in fact, she won the prestigious 2011 ECNY Award for Best Stand-Up—but what's not as well-known is that she's among the finest comedic storytellers in the country. This 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 to 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 second half of this double-bill, a sketch play about the opening of a trendy restaurant that serves nothing but raw pig, written with wit and bite by Leila Cohan-Miccio (Stone Cold Fox), directed with style by Caitlin Tegart (MTV, PBS, ESPN), and performed superbly by hot comedic actress Lauren Conlin Adams: Pig: A Restaurant
10:00 pm ($5): Comics at UCB East, including the wonderful Neil Casey, Will Hines, Mindy Raf, Giulia Rozzi, and much more look back at what was awful in 2011 at a sketch show that's become an annual UCB tradition: The It Sucked! Awards
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: Nick Vatterott (Jimmy Fallon, MTV, Second City), Matt Ruby (co-host of Hot Soup, blog Sandpaper Suit), and musical guests Myq & Micah performing at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City for this new talk & stand-up show hosted by Sarah Tollemache: Last Night
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: 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. Plus tonight is extra special, with guests including Abbi Jacobson (Broad City, Welcome To Camp), Lou Perez (Greg & Lou), and Adam Newman (College Humor). Come support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises, that this uniquely organic rollercoaster of a weekly show at UCB Chelsea makes possible—and don't forget to toss $1 in the bucket on your way out: A Very Special Christmas 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 12/22/11
Julia Wiedeman celebrates baring all in her memorable sketch show
Naked
People;
drunk lesbian poet Molly “Equality” Dykeman celebrates
the holidays like no one else in
A Molly Jolly Christmas...
vs.
...and Jews compete against Christians in a battle for laughs at Cage Match
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: Open-mic stand-up with comics' names drawn from a bucket and each chosen one receiving three minutes at The Creek's upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Corby Haas
7:00 ($5): A musical comedy about the true meaning of the holidays at The Magnet theatre: A Very Orphan Christmas
[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm ($18, plus $15 food/drink min.; if you don't drink, either the burger or lasagna is a fine choice): One of the highlights of FringeNYC 2011 was Andrea Alton playing Molly “Equality” Dykeman, a security guard at PS 339 who writes poetry while popping Cheetos and anti-depressants and chasing after every woman she sees. While in lesser hands Molly might be offensive, Alton walks the comedy tightrope Molly requires with skill and grace. Alton's spent years learning her craft as a razor-sharp New York sketch comic and stand-up, and as a superb comedic actress. So if you have an open mind, and love comedy and/or gay parody, you'll probably grow to love her hilariously over-the-top lesbian character. To get a feel for Molly, click here and here; and then go see her live at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (in the West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42 Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues). Helping Molly out tonight will be Michael Musto (renowned Village Voice columnist and author), Victoria Libertore (actress & solo performer as Liza Minnelli), Colton Ford (Peace Bisquit/Woop Woop Music recording artist & actor), and The Mollettes (dancers Victoria Smalc & Meliza Fernandez). Just be aware that if you're a woman sitting near the front, you'll probably be propositioned. (Repeatedly...): A Molly Jolly Christmas
7:30 pm ($5): An improv troupe attempts to abandon rules for the sake of achieving new levels of hilarity at UCB East in Fuck That Shit ; plus in the second half of this double-bill, improv based on the iPods, CDs, and mp3 players provided by audience members, executed by superb performers Fran Gillespie, Ryan Karels, Megan Neuringer, Jesse Falcon, Silvija Ozols, Doug Moe, Lou Perez, Sue Galloway, and Emily Axford: Soundtrack USA
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($15): This acclaimed 10-year-and-counting sketch troupe has "amassed a cultish following and a cast who blindly throw themselves into the most questionable of onstage situations, bless their black little hearts....join them for a hilariously unsettling look at growing older, having children, killing your dreams, and settling." For examples of the troupe's work, please click here and here, and then come to The PIT upstairs theatre for the last time this year to see Spurn
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): The debut of two one-woman shows by Sues at UCB Chelsea: Sue Galloway (30 Rock, SNL, The Law Firm) spoofs women magazines and "how to live the perfect life" in Pose; and Sue Smith has anger issues she expresses in Minimum Rage
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($24.50 & 2-drink min.) A unique comedy star headlining through Friday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Gilbert Gottfried
[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups (for tonight's lineup, please click here) performing at The Creek's upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City accompanied by banjo music from Doug Goldstein and hosted by Andy Kleinman: Happy Sounds Comedy
8:00 pm ($5, which includes FREE BEER): NYC stand-ups Nick Turner, Justy Dodge, Jared Freid, Aminah Imani, Justin Shanes, and Rae Sanni performing at this weekly show at Brooklyn's Sandbox Underground (257 Grand Street, near the L subway's Bedford stop) hosted by Mike Denny, Michael Che, and Nimesh Patel, and featuring free beer: Broken Comedy
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00ish pm: Terrific NYC stand-ups (the lineup is typically announced less than eight hours before showtime; for an update, please click here) 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
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Sean Conroy (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, legendary improv troupe The Swarm), Ted Travelstead (reporter/researcher for Vanity Fair, co-author of Sex: Our Bodies, Our Junk), and more performing at UCB East with best bud hosts Noah Garfinkel & Joe Mande (author of Look At This F*cking Hipster): Totally J/K
9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Ross Hyzer, Sean Donnelly, Jacqueline Novak, and more performing stand-up at Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) for Sean Crespo's & Carol Hartsell's weekly comedy show Lasers in the Jungle
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): At UCB Chelsea, a witty and ultimately exhilarating exploration of baring it all by fabulous long-time nudist Julia Wiedeman (who I had the great fortune of seeing about a decade ago as she walked around with zero clothing, like a glorious tigress, in broad daylight on the streets of the East Village): Naked People...
...and in the second half of this double-bill, Joanna Bradley performs a one-woman show that would've benefited from more development, but Bradley's an interesting talent worth experiencing: Everybody's Dumb and Boring
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($8): NYC comics pay comedic tribute to Van Halen at The PIT upstairs theatre: Matt Oberg's Hit Parade
9:30 pm ($5): Improvisors (not announced) make up one-act plays on the spot at The PIT downstairs lounge for The Scene
[$] 10:00 pm ($27.25 & 2-drink min.) Utilizing its network of enterprising talent scouts, the Carolines Comedy Club has spared no expense to locate and bring to you a few specimens of that rare breed: New York City Jewish comedians. The results are on stage tonight though Saturday celebrating the Festival of Lights: The Chosen Ones
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): In celebration of the holidays, improvised Jews battle improvised Christians for supremacy—via audience laughs and votes—at UCB Chelsea. Overall, history favors the Christians. But this is New York, where Jewish comics may well have the edge. There's no telling what will happen...which is one of the great pleasures of the extravaganza men call Cage Match: Jews Vs. Christians
[FREE] 11:00 pm: Weekly open mic stand-up show, with each comic given five minutes, at UCB East hosted by Rob Stern & Amber Nelson: Gutbucket
NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 12/23/11
Comedy genius Neil Casey and a mob of UCBT talent performs a one-night-only
sketch show
you don't want to miss: Neil
Casey's Sentimental Irish Christmas
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: 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 (Comedy Central) and Annie Lederman (Comedy Central): The Shinebox
[MEGA-TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): One of the best shows at UCB Chelsea last year was a one-night-only affair in which comedy genius Neil Casey co-wrote & co-starred in "an evening of whiskey-soaked sketch, music, and poorly remembered stories recounted slurringly in celebration of the anniversary of the Incarnation of the Child Christ." Neil's essay retracting "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" was one of the funniest to ever grace any comedy stage—and I'd encourage him to do it again tonight, and every year. Either way, come for the new magic spun by writers Neil Casey, Michael Trapp, and David White and some of UCBT's finest performers, all directed by Neil's wonderful Krompf improv partner Ryan Karels: Neil Casey's Sentimental Irish Christmas
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): Sharp improvisors at UCB East making up a musical on the spot: Diamond Lion
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($24.50 & 2-drink min.) A unique comedy star headlining one more night at the Carolines Comedy Club: Gilbert Gottfried
[$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm ($20 [vs. $25] online or at the box office using discount code BOOK): Telly Savalas returns to life to entertain you and provide life guidance in this 50-minute show that was a hit at FringeNYC 2011 and is now enjoying an open-ended Friday night run at the Soho Playhouse's downstairs Huron Club. The script is at times very smart, especially in its choices of hilarious video clips and music tracks from the real Savalas...who, in his more intense moments, apparently rivaled William Shatner at his silliest. But even when Hunter Nelson's writing isn't consistent, actor Tom DiMenna—who is a professional comic with great timing and skill at engaging an audience—will keep you entertained: Who Loves You, Baby?
[FREE] 8:00 pm: A celebration of the winners and runner-ups of this year's improv team tournament at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City, hosted by James Ferrarella: The Arena
[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] 8:00 pm doors, 8:15ish pm show ($8): Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer sets on Jimmy Fallon and Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), Brooke Van Poppelen (brilliant stand-up, writer, and storyteller; trutV, TLC, co-host of Dive Comedy; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here), Tom Shillue (Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents, 2011 ECNY Award for Best Storyteller), Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, VHI, documentary Metaphyiscal Graffiti, High Times), and Barry Rothbart (Jay Leno, Comedy Central, IFC) performing at Brooklyn's Union Hall with host Caroline Creaghead: Creaghead & Company Mandatory Office Party
[$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up who's appeared on Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, VH1, and The Apprentice headlining tonight at the Gotham Comedy Club: Jon Fisch
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from UCB Chelsea's all-star members of The Stepfathers
9:00 pm ($10): This show claims it "will test your limits of good taste and push the boundaries of what you consider funny. Nothing is off limits and no punchline is 'too soon.'" I'm not sure how that makes it different from any other downtown comedy show, but I'm just reporting... Tonight's guests are John Milhiser, Nick Turner, Julian Kross, Paul Hooper, and more performing at UCB East hosted by Chris Wilkes (Thunder Gulch): After Dark
[$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 pm & 11:00 pm (FREE TICKETS if you reserve in advance by calling (212) 260-2445 and mention HyReviews.com, but there's still a 2-drink min. per person): Nikki Glaser (Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, podcast You Had to Be There), Mike Yard, Aaron Berg, and more performing stand-up at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club
9:30 pm ($8): Improvised scenes by duos based on an infamous relationships section of Craigslist at The PIT upstairs theatre: Missed Connections
9:30 pm ($5): NYC stand-ups (not announced) bringing their A-game—because their sets are captured at this new monthly show as audition tapes—performing at The PIT downstairs lounge: The Grass Route
[FREE] 10:00 pm: Barry Rothbart (Jay Leno, Comedy Central, IFC), Pat Stango (co-host of Don't Touch Me There), Nick Turner (Jimmy Fallon; co-host of Too Cool For School and If You Build It), Tony Zaret (USA Network; Channel 101), Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry (Last Comic Standing), and half-man/half-turkey Turkey Claus (genetic holiday freak) performing at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre hosted by rock band Fortress of Attitude: A Very FOA Christmas Eve Eve
[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Jon Gabrus, Nate Lang, Craig Rowin, Matt Fisher, Fran Gillespie Sue Galloway, and other superb improvisors at UCB Chelsea making up scenes about an audience member's legal dispute: The Law Firm: Law & Disorder
[$] 10:30 pm ($27.25 & 2-drink min.) Utilizing its network of expert talent scouts, the Carolines Comedy Club has managed to locate a few Jewish comedians in New York City. The results are on stage tonight and Saturday celebrating the Festival of Lights: The Chosen Ones
11:00 pm ($5): Four sketch troupes compete for audience approval at The PIT, hosted by Bleak Comedy: Iron Sketch
11:00 pm ($5): NYC comics (not announced) performing at UCB East hosted by Emily Axford, D'Arcy Carden, Alden Ford, Brandon Scott Jones, and/or Justin Tyler: Gentrify
[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups do sets "and then have a discussion about what’s going on in the world and the mysteries of life" at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City, hosted by Chris Laker: The Show
[FREE] Midnight: This show typically isn't much fun for audience members—which is why it hasn't been on the UCBT schedule for a long time—but it's an amazing opportunity if you want to perform sketch for free and with almost zero hurdles on the prestigious UCB Chelsea stage. Hosted by Maude troupe Onassis: Liquid Courage
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 12/24/11
TV & movie stars Janeane Garofalo and Todd Barry celebrate
the holidays in their own special ways
at 92Y Tribeca for Hanukkomedy...
...and Myq Kaplan and Rich Vos perform at Carolines as The Chosen Ones
Most comedy venues are dark for Christmas Eve, but there are still events well worth attending for those of us in need of laughs beyond the painfully awkward ones provided by relatives. Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[FREE] 4:00 pm: An unusually early weekly open mic stand-up show at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by RG Daniels & Jared Fried: It Starts at 4
[$] 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up who's appeared on Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, VH1, and The Apprentice headlining tonight at the Gotham Comedy Club with fellow Jews Rachel Feinstein and Barry Weintraub: Jon Fisch
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($15): TV & movie star Janeane Garofalo, Todd Barry (David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents, FX's Louie, HBO's Flight of the Conchords and Bored to Death, Adult Swim, feature films The Wrestler and Pete Smalls is Dead), Sandy Marks (CBS' King of Queens, director of documentary Manhattan Comedy Nights), and MC Mr. Napkins performing (mostly) stand-up at 92Y Tribeca with host Liam McEneaney: Hanukkomedy
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($27.25 & 2-drink min.) Utilizing its network of expert talent scouts, the Carolines Comedy Club has managed to locate several Jewish comedians in New York City: Myq Kaplan (one of the quickest minds in comedy, and rapidly rising star; finalist on most recent Last Comic Standing; David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents, hit comedy CD Vegan Mind Meld), Rich Vos (stand-up star on two seasons of Last Comic Standing and on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and currently on the Opie & Anthony radio show), Bonnie MacFarlane (Comedy Central, Cheat; okay, not born Jewish, but Jew-ish via marriage osmosis), Adam Newman (MTV, College Humor, comedy CD Not for Horses), and Harrison Greenbaum (writer for Mad Magazine; head writer of Tu Nite con Lorenzo Parro on NBCU/Telemundo; winner of the 2010 Andy Kaufman Award) . The results are on stage tonight celebrating the Festival of Lights: The Chosen Ones
[$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 pm & 11:00 pm (FREE TICKETS if you reserve in advance by calling (212) 260-2445 and mention HyReviews.com, but there's still a 2-drink min. per person): Nikki Glaser (Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, podcast You Had to Be There), Mike Yard, Aaron Berg, and more performing stand-up at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club
[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, fast-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience interaction and audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 12/25/11
The vast majority of comedy venues are dark for Christmas. If you're not spending the day home with family, though, this can be a good time to start getting caught up with Broadway & off-Broadway comedic theatre for huge discounts, e.g., via the TKTS Booths. And there are also a few actual comedy shows happening today:
[FREE] 4:00 pm: An unusually early walk-in open mic stand-up show at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Face-Plant Comedy Showcase
[FREE] 7:30 pm: Sketch, improv, and more at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City from comedy troupe Froduce
[$] 8:30 pm ($21.78, plus 2-drink min. or $20 unlimited nonalcoholic drinks): Vic Henley (David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents), Jeff Caldwell (David Letterman, Comedy Central), Ryan Reiss (MTV, Howard Stern), Wil Sylivince (Comedy Central, BET), and Sam Morill performing stand-up at the Comic Strip Live Comedy Club (1568 2nd Avenue off 81st Street) with emcee DF Sweedler: Christmas Stand-Up at Comic Strip
Hope you enjoy thoroughly happy holidays.
Love,
Hy
Copyright © 2011 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
