NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 1/21/11
Performing tonight are world champions:
Michael Showalter, who has a new
bestselling book (Hot
Tub Variety),
and 30 Rock stand-up star Judah Friedlander, the author of How
to Beat Up Anybody (Morrison
Motel)
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: 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
6:30 pm & 9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): The perfect show for short attention spans—open mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours—with an early show hosted by Sean Donnelly & Blaine Perry at 6:30 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
7:00 pm ($5): 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; and duo improv from Ruby Marez and Binu Paulose will improvise within a single scene, in the double-bill The Cascade and RuBin
7:00 pm ($5): Comedy troupe Dept. of Etc. performing a show taking a silly look at reproduction: The Miracle of Birth
[FREE] 7:30 pm: The delightful Abbi Crutchfield (MTV, VH1, co-host of Positively Awesome), Adam Pateman, Doug Smith, Vlad Caamano, and Miguel Dalmau 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 ($6.50 online or $8 at the door): 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 new book Mr. Funny Pants), Patrick Borelli (staff writer for Jimmy Fallon, and previously for Conan O'Brien; Adult Swim, ESPN; author of book Holy Headshot!), and Katina Corrao (HBO, Comedy Central, VH1) performing at Brooklyn's Littlefield (622 Degraw Street) with sketches and more from NYC comedy royalty 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, Mike Still, Ashley Ward, and tonight's guest Chelsea Clarke (Reuben Williams)—making up a musical on the spot along with virtuoso improv pianist Frank Spitznagel: Diamond Lion
8:00 pm ($5): Improv based on headlines from the amazing New York Post: Headless Body in Topless Bar
[TOP PICK] [DISCOUNTED] 8:30 pm ($5 cover if you mention HyReviews.com [otherwise $10], plus $7 drink minimum; call 212.989.9319 to reserve seats): Stand-up & 30 Rock star Judah Friedlander; stellar storytellers Tom Shillue, Ophira Eisenberg, and Andy Christie; superb stand-ups Dan St. Germain and Leah Dubie; and author Bob Powers performing at the Cornelia Street Cafe for John Morrison's Morrison Motel
8:30 pm ($5): Duo improv set in the roarin' 1920s from David Levin & Alex Marino in The Cousins Zell; and duo improv from friends-like-sisters Lindsey Dinsmore & Julia Hynes in Sisser
9:30 pm ($5): Two of UCBT's fine house sketch comedy troupes, Arbuckle and Stone Cold Fox, trying out new bits at Maude Night
9:30 pm ($5): A one-woman show from Julie Ann Dulude about being raised by strict Catholic parents: Bless This Mess
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest comics in the world—who tonight include John Mulaney, Eugene Mirman, Chris Gethard, and Carmen Lynch—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 2/22/11
Michael Showalter, whose new bestselling book you can buy at half-price
by clicking here,
and
Wyatt Cenac, who will be on stage for sheer love
of the craft, perform tonight at Seth Herzog's Sweet
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): Grace Helbig & Michelle Vargas parodying Lady Gaga and pop music in general in this singing sketch show: graceNmichelle: The Hamster Ball
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, eight improvisors trace the storylines of characters at a single event suggested by an audience member in Hell Buffalo
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Hannibal Buress, Chris Sullivan a.k.a. Shockwave, Victor Varnado, Aidan Bishop, and Myka Fox performing at the Lolita Bar at Liam McEneaney's Tell Your Friends
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Superb veteran improvisors—including Tara Copeland, Matt Higgins, and Matt Oberg—performing as new troupe HugeTown
8:00 pm to Midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Dybbuk, Standard Oil, Grandma's Ashes, Badman, and Ragnaröck; and at 11:00 pm an improv show that begins and ends with the same scene—all at Harold Night
[FREE] 8:00 pm: A lineup devoted to stand-ups from New Jersey—Mollie Sperduto, Alec Sobel, Peter Elias, Adam Mamawala, and more—performing at Cellar 58 (58 Second Avenue) hosted by comedic rapper Andrew Singer and the delightful Abbi Crutchfield: Positively Awesome
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 Rebound
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Wyatt Cenac (star correspondent on The Daily Show), 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 new book Mr. Funny Pants), Bobby Tisdale (former co-host of legendary and seminal NYC downtown comedy show Invite Them Up), and more performing at Ella (9 Avenue A) hosted by the wonderful Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet
9:00 pm ($5): Myq Kaplan (finalist on last summer's Last Comic Standing; Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, hot new comedy CD Vegan Mind Meld), Sean Donnelly (host of Lil' Seany Boy), Susan Prekel, and more performing at the Ace of Clubs (9 Great Jones Street, underneath Acme Bar & Grill) hosted by Joe DeRosa (HBO’s Down and Dirty, Comedy Central Presents) and Jared Logan (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central): Righteous Kill
9:30 pm ($5): Elizabeth Blue performing her one-woman show in which she searches for meaning and happiness: Am I Blue
[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 2/23/11
Don't miss the blowout Fifth Anniversary of one of the greatest comedic storytelling shows of all time: The Nights of Our Lives
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[FREE] 6:00 pm to midnight: Six free hours of improvisation at The PIT's Super Free Wednesday
[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm ($5.50 & 2-drink min.) Some of the very finest stand-ups in the country performing for this wonderful showcase hosted by Joe Mande at the Carolines Comedy Club: John Mulaney, Wyatt Cenac, and Joe & Noah
[TOP PICK] 8:00 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 new improv duo who should not be missed: John & Scott
8:00 pm ($5): NYC stand-ups Jared Logan, Nikki Glaser, Tim Dimond, Alice Wetterlund, and Matt Maragno, plus musical guest Joe Yoga, performing at Brooklyn's Hank's Rootin' Tootin' Saloon (46 Third Avenue at Atlantic) for this free weekly 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
[FREE] 8:30 pm: Usually terrific NYC stand-ups (not yet announced this week) performing at the East Village's Angels and Kings for this free weekly show hosted by delightful dark humor comic Jena Friedman: Entertaining the Bartender
[FREE] 9:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Erin Judge (Comedy Central), Katina Corrao (HBO, Comedy Central), Mike Cotayo, Nate Min , Brian Samonek, Dave Konig performing at this free weekly show at Luca Bar (119 St. Marks Place) hosted by Sharon Spell: Shrink
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): One of the finest comedic storytelling shows in the country, in which brilliant writer/performers—who tonight are Chris Gethard, Andrea Rosen, Adam Wade, Anthony Atamanuik, John Flynn, and wonderful host David Martin—tell tales that are brutally honest and utterly hilarious, with tonight's theme the show's Fifth Anniversary (and yes, there might even be some free cake): The Nights of Our Lives
NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 2/24/11
The heavens will shake tonight as Outlook of the Poet clashes with The Stepfathers 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:
a
a
7:00 pm ($12): Terrific NYC stand-ups Tom Shillue (Comedy Central Presents), Victor Varnado (Conan O'Brien), James Smith (Comedy Central), Rory Albanese (Executive Producer of The Daily Show), Chuck Nice (VH1's Best Week Ever), Jon Fisch (In the Tank), Tom McCaffrey (The Onion), Michael Somerville (Wingman), and Dan Naturman (Last Comic Standing) performing with host Sean Donnelly at Comedy Below Canal
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Brilliant improvisor Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, co-writer/director/producer & cast member of Adult Swim's awesome & Emmy-winning Moral Orel, UCBT's John & Scott) and veteran improvisor Rachel Hamilton perform as a duo—if Scott gets out of shooting 30 Rock in time tonight—as Hamilton & Adsit
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): Matt Higgins (Centralia) and Stuart Bogie (FELA!) "let loose in a radically improvised theater show:" Amphibian
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): A double-bill of vibrant improv troupes: Neil Casey & Anthony Atamanuik make up an entire feature film as The Two-Man Movie; and "fast, furious, and fearless" visiting Chicago-based improv troupe Ragdolls
[TOP PICK] [$] 9:00 pm ($15): A comic excavation of teen angst artifacts (journals, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, stories, and more) are shared by their original authors before total strangers at Mortified
[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 (throughout February) by the wonderful Brooke Van Poppelen: Comedy as a Second Language
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): If you're a fan of CollegeHumor.com, you can get a behind-the-scenes peak—plus comics Streeter Seidell & Jeff, Kevin Barnett, Sam Morril, and possibly some special surprises—at CollegeHumor Live
9:30 pm ($10): "Ever wonder how you become a writer for an Emmy winning TV show? So does J. D. Durkin. Since no one has told him, here is his one-man show performing all original material to become a writer for The Colbert Report. Durkin channels Colbert live on stage to present political punditry as only The PIT could do it...and only The PIT, since he was escorted off the Comedy Central premises:" Stephen Colbert: Hire Me
[MEGA-TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Titans walk the stage tonight as all-star genius improv troupes Outlook of the Poet (Jon Gabrus, Ben Rodgers, and Gavin Speiller) and The Stepfathers (Michael Delaney, Chris Gethard, Will Hines, Bobby Moynihan, Shannon O'Neill, Silvija Ozols, Andy Secunda, and Zach Woods) compete for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match
NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 2/25/11
Don't miss hilarious and beloved sketch comics including Katherine Bryant Flaherty, Shayna Ferm...
...Livia Scott, and Chris O'Connor performing their spectacular comedic musical one last night: Grease 3: Threase
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 ($8): Award-winning improv duo Lucas Kavner and Bradford Jordan make stuff up with "a celebrity guest improvisor' at Swords
7:00 pm ($10): An NYC improv troupe, headed by Duncan Murdoch, making up scenes following not only an audience suggestion but the riffs of an instrumental jazz quartet: FACE
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): The thoroughly wonderful comics of sketch troupe Fearsome—Shayna Ferm, Katherine Bryant Flaherty, Alex Goldberg, and Chris O'Connor—are joined by such other immense talents as Livia Scott and Amy Heidt to perform a new comedic musical that's very, very loosely based on a classic Travolta/Newton John vehicle: Grease 3: Threase
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Sharp NYC stand-ups (not announced) performing at O'Hanlon's (14th Street off 1st Avenue): Hot Soup
8:00 pm ($7): "In March of 2009 a gaggle of performers were born. Some died, some wandered off into the woods, others went to work in the private sector. Those that remained grew strong by feeding on the nectar of specific choices and the gruel of strong character work. The not quite 2-year-old terror that exists today is akin to watching a Tsunami of hair and teeth attack a baby Blue Whale and destroy it with the will of a thousand hungry Burnese Mountain Dogs. What does it all mean? We don't know." Sharp improvisors make stuff up as troupe Chet Watkins
[FREE—plus chance to win a free drink!] 8:00 pm: Calvin S. Cato debuts a free weekly stand-up comedy show in Brooklyn—complete with trivia questions that may nab you a free drink—along with tonight's guests Nikki Glaser (Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, I Am Comic documentary), Jeffrey Joseph (HBO, In Living Color), Pat Rigby, Graham Keay, and Giulio Gallarotti performing at Brooklyn's The Royal Oak (594 Union Avenue): The Pregame Comedy Show
[$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A stand-up who's performed on Jay Leno, Craig Ferguson, Showtime, and his own hour-long Comedy Central special headlining tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Sebastian Maniscalco
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers
9:00 pm ($5): An improvised celebration of this year's Oscar contenders: The Nominated
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Matt Oberg (Onion Sports Dome, Ugly Americans) celebrates and riffs on "The Greatest Hits of George Michael. WHAM! It's on. Bring your Faith, your Freedom, and your Father Figures, we will do the rest with John Flynn, the karaoke video stylings of Kevin Scott, the inspired musings of Will Hines, improvisor Nate Starkey, actor Ben Schneider, the Downtown Superstar Band, and more:" Matt Oberg's Hit Parade
10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical
10:30 pm ($10): Jonathan Gabrus, Sue Galloway, and other fine improvisors make up scenes about an audience member's legal dispute at The Law Firm: Law & Disorder
11:30 pm ($5): Five women performing an improvised, and possibly tipsy, parody of The View at Focus
Midnight ($5): Sketch comedy troupes Hammerkatz and Pink Axe compete for audience laughs and votes, with troupe Sidecar hosting, in Backyard Brawl
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 2/26/11
Shannon O'Neill will use her feminine wiles to entertain you tonight
at her audience participation play
The Unrehearsed...
,
while Sara Benincasa will tempt you with free baked goods at her storytelling
show
Family
Hour
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] [$] 6:00 pm ($15, which includes 1 drink; reservations highly recommended by calling 212.989.9319): In this double-bill, top storytellers Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime) and Andy Christie (The New York Times, Moth GrandSlam Champion, host of The Liar Show) each perform one-person shows that are likely to delight you: Andy Christie & Ophira Eisenberg
[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($8; includes free cookies): Typically stellar NYC comics telling funny, poignant, and at times unforgettable tales about their relatives for a show hosted by Sara Benincasa (CBS, CNN, MTV, The Sarah Palin Vlogs): Family Hour with Auntie Sara
[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
7:30 pm ($7): Improv veterans Mark Grenier, Louis Kornfeld, and Charlie Whitcroft making up a play on the spot in Theory of Everything
[$] 8:00 pm, 10:00 pm, & 11:45 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A stand-up who's performed on Jay Leno, Craig Ferguson, Showtime, and his own hour-long Comedy Central special headlining at the Gotham Comedy Club: Sebastian Maniscalco
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—and the Cage Match Champion for two years in a row!—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 $20): This top musical improv troupe has wowed audiences around the world with its skill at making up an hour-long musical moment by moment. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment, even the song lyrics and the "choreography" are invented on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. Come see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award last year for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event by catching tonight's edition of Baby Wants Candy
[TOP PICK] [$] 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: Reuben Williams
10:30 pm ($7): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney (Statues of Liberty) and Leslie Korein as comedy trio Trike
[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): "I seem to have made a big ole mistake. I wrote a script, I purchased the props, but I forgot to rehearse it. And on top of that I HAVE NO CAST!!!! So... I am going to cast YOU, moments before the show starts. I will hand you a script, give you some props and instruct you to just listen and get ready to perform. Oh man this is going to be a fucking mess of BEAUTY!! If you want a chance to be cast, make reservations and get in line by 11:15pm. I, Shannon O'Neill will personally come out and hand pick the best damn group of Thespians this play has ever seen and will ever see because this play will only be performed ONCE, never to be seen again! What do I look for in a cast? I love fatties, I love skinnies, I love sober people, I love drunk people. I love you all. Every shape, size, and ethnicity. Let's hold hands and spin the world! What is this play about? Something real fucking weird and TBA. Thanks for helping me fix my mistake. I'll see you soon friends!:" The Unrehearsed, Historically Inaccurate Story of...
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 2/27/11
Enjoy the Academy Awards with an audience, hosted by The Pit's owner Ali Farahnakian, for free at The Oscars
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] 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. Please read my review by clicking here, and then take advantage of this revival running Sundays through April 17th to experience the hilarious and unforgettable Faye Lane's Beauty Shop Stories
[TOP PICK] 5:00 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
6:30 pm ($5): Monologues and improvisation about moustaches and the people who wear them at If I Were a Moustache
[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] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Come watch the Academy Awards with The Pit owner Ali Farahnakian, featuring a big screen, beer, dancers, and prop bets (totally illegal), at The Oscars
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Carmen Lynch (Last Comic Standing finalist), Nate Bargatze (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special), Mark Normand (hilarious co-host of We're All Friends Here), Matt Wayne, 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 Dave Maulbeck, Jared McGrail, and Taylor White make up a character and take you through his or her entire biography, from birth to death, in Life
[FREE] 9:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Jeffrey Joseph, Kevin Barnett, Daniel Tirado, Richie Redding, Sean Crespo, and DJ Roofeeo 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: Terrific NYC stand-ups Joe Mande, Becky Yamamoto, Liz Miele, James Harris, and Neil Charles 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): 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
Copyright © 2011 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
