NYC Comedy Picks for Week of January 21, 2013

NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 1/21/13

Colin Quinn hones a new theatrical show at Unconstitutional; the wonderful Sasheer Zamata tells tales of passion at Bare

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] [ALMOST FREE] 6:00 pm ($1): Cammi Climaco (co-host of Ask Me Stories) hosts this weekly hour-long open mic storytelling show, with audience members chosen from a bucket of names getting to tell tales for 6-7 minutes each at The PIT downstairs lounge: Cammi Climaco's Storytelling Open Mic

6:00 pm ($5 cover for comics, no cover for audience with code HyReviews, plus 1-drink min.): The perfect show for short attention spans—open mic stand-up with 4 1/2 minutes per set and 20 comics crammed into 2 hours—at the Greenwich Village Comedy Club (99 MacDougal Street) for John Morrison's Village Motel

6:00 pm & 8:00 pm (no cover, 1 drink min. for both comics and audience members): Open mic stand-up providing 5-7 minutes per comic, with each show running 1 hour and 45 minutes. Arrive 30 minutes before the show you want to be in to get on the signup sheet. This is a fine opportunity to perform at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club Open Mic

[FREE] 6:00 pm: An open mic stand-up show, with 10 comics each performing for 5 minutes, at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Abigoliah Schamaun & Peggy O'Leary: Dicks Open Mic

7:00 pm ($5): UCB Chelsea house sketch troupe Beige, which includes Dan Hodapp (Jimmy Fallon, UCBT musical Newsadoozies, co-producer of PIT improv show The Scene, co-star of smash FringeNYC show Tail! Spin!) performs its favorite bits in The Best of Beige

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 7:30 pm: Sara Schaefer (inventive, luminous comic; co-star of MTV's The Nikki and Sara Show; Emmy-nominated staff writer for Jimmy Fallon; VH1's Best Week Ever; co-host of hit podcast You Had to Be There), Jermaine Fowler (FOX’s new In Living Color, MTV, Adult Swim's The Eric Andre Show), Josh Rabinowitz (FX's Louie, MTV's I Just want My Pants Back), Peggy O'Leary, and more performing stand-up at Brooklyn's Spike Hill (186 Bedford Avenue) hosted by Erin Conroy: Game Night Stand-Up

[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

7:30 pm ($10; sign-up starts at 7:00 pm): Open mic for stand-ups, storytellers, singers, poets, actors, and more, with 5 minutes per performer and 25 slots available, at One and One Bar's Downstairs Nexus Lounge (76 1st Street, corner of First Avenue) hosted by Nathan P., followed by a raucous afterparty with dancing & drink specials from 10:00 to midnight: Inspired Word's Open Mic Joint

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): TV & Broadway stand-up star Colin Quinn looks at US history "from the Founding Fathers to the Kardashians" at UCB Chelsea as part of his process to perfect a new one-man show for mass audiences: Colin Quinn: Unconstitutional: A Work in Progress

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($8 at the door or $9.47 online): Reggie Watts (musical improv comedy genius; Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central special, IFC's Comedy Bang Bang, Electric Company; for video samples, please click here), Barry Rothbart (Jay Leno, Comedy Central, MTV's Punk'd, IFC's Do Whatever), DC Benny (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, ABC's The Unusuals), Scott Moran (producer of weekly documentary Web series Modern Comedian), and Naomi Ekperigin (Huffington Post) performing at Brooklyn's Littlefield (622 Degraw Street) hosted by Wyatt Cenac (star correspondent for The Daily Show): Night Train

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): Sasheer Zamata (highly charming, innovative rising star; host of UCBT's School Night, member of red-hot improv troupe Doppelganger, sketch troupe The Prom, and Harold Night troupe Bucky), Kate Tellers (The Moth), Amy Jo Goddard (sexual empowerment coach—honestly), and Rod J. Sayegh share true tales of passion, plus music by Cynthia Kaplan, on this month's theme Schooled at The PIT upstairs theatre hosted by Jefferson: Bare: True Stories of Sex, Desire, and Romance

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Jared Logan (rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, CNN, TBS, host of ComedyJuice), Jon Fisch (David Letterman, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, VH1), Jermaine Fowler (FOX’s new In Living Color, MTV, Adult Swim's The Eric Andre Show), Erik Bergstrom (cartoonist/author of Grimmer Tales, The New Yorker, blogger for Comedy Central's Indecision 2012), Selena Coppock (author of upcoming book The New Rules for Blondes), Trey Galyon, and Andrew Short performing at the Crime Scene Lounge (310 Bowery, off 1st Street) hosted by Erin Conroy: Motherboy Stand-Up

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Long stand-up sets from Dan St. Germain (quick-witted & enormously likeable rising star; Jimmy Fallon, The Electric Company, MTV, VH1) and Dan Soder (Comedy Central, VH1; for set about being a hypochondriatic drug user, please click here) at UCB East hosted by Tim Dillon: Comedy Central Corporate Retreat

[$] 8:00 pm ($12 plus 2-item food/drink min.): 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.) Gary Gulman (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), Jeff Lamp (Jay Leno), Modi (HBO's The Sopranos, Comedy Central), Dan Naturman (David Letterman, Jay Leno), and Dan Soder (Comedy Central, VH1; for set about being a hypochondriatic drug user, please click here) performing at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Ardie Fuqua: Ted Alexandro, Gary Gulman, and More

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Dan St. Germain (presumably racing over from his UCB East set that's also at 8:00; quick-witted & enormously likeable rising star; Jimmy Fallon, The Electric Company, MTV, VH1), Joe List, Lady Rizo, Sabrina Jalees, Brad Austin, and Scott Chaplan performing stand-up at Brooklyn's Grand Victory Bar (245 Grand Street) for this twice-a-month extravaganza hosted by Nick Maritato and the razor-sharp & delightful Erin Lennox—whose birthday is tomorrow, which she'll be celebrating tonight: DTF

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm or 9:30 pm (depending on which Web page you believe): Eddie, an NYC-based feature film in which fan Whoopie Goldberg ends up coaching the New York Knicks, is screened and torn apart by NYC comedic commentators Greg Warren (Comedy Central Presents), Sarah Tollemache (host of Last Night,; immortal story That's Not My Shit), (TV's Frank on Mystery Science Theater 3000), Jared Logan, Mike Lawrence, and Sean Donnelly at Queens LIC's The Creek hosted by Robbie Collier: Hey We Live There!: Eddie

8:30 pm ($5): Improv by just one guy (with assorted stage props) named Ben, and by just one gal named Shacottha Fields, in this double-bill of solo improv at The Magnet theatre: Just Ben and Shacottha: 1 Deep

[FREE] 9:00 pm: Mark Normand (hilarious stand-up; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central; co-host of Hot Soup and We're All Friends Here), Kara Klenk (Comedy Central, Spike, Nickelodeon; host of If You Bring It), Mike Finola, Simeon Goodson, and more performing stand-up at Brooklyn's Bar Matchless back room (557 Manhattan Avenue, near the G subway's Nassau Avenue stop) hosted by Nimesh Patel, Mike Denny, and/or Michael Che: Broken Comedy

9:30 pm ($5): Two UCB Chelsea house sketch troupes try out new material: Supereasy (which includes comedy chameleon Livia Scott) and Onassis (which includes fine actress Lauren Adams): Maude Night: Supereasy and Dinner

[FREE] 9:30 pm: Following a club format, hosts Nore Davis & Andrew Short perform stand-up throughout for a total of 25 minutes, two comics each perform a 15-minute set, and then a seasoned headliner closes out the show with a 20-minute set, all at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: On the Road

9:30 pm ($5): The only open-stage show for entire groups of improvisors and sketch comics, running weekly at UCB East hosted by Austin Rodrigues: Bring Your Own Team: Improv/Sketch Team Jam

[FREE] 9:30 pm: NYC stand-ups Jaqi Furback, Jason Cross, Bryan Walsh, Jeff Sussman, Nate Rand, Jono Zalay, Matt Nagin, Scott Schlendlinger and Joe Dixon performing at Brooklyn's Freddy's Backroom (627 5th Avenue) with host Pat O'Shea: Ed Sullivan on Acid

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($12 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Judah Friedlander (one of the quickest minds in comedy; 30 Rock, Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly, author of How to Beat Up Anybody), Neal Brennan (razor-sharp, edgy comedy veteran; HBO, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, co-creator of Chappelle's Show), Nikki Glaser (co-star of MTV's The Nikki and Sara Show; Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing; podcast You Had to Be There), Keith Alberstadt (David Letterman, VH1, contributor to SNL's Weekend Update), Nick Griffin (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents), Mark Normand (hilarious stand-up; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central; co-host of Hot Soup and We're All Friends Here), and Godfrey (Comedy Central Presents, Louie, 30 Rock, VH1; films Zoolander, Original Gangsters, Soul Plane; 7 Up Yours ads) performing at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Ardie Fuqua: Judah Friedlander, Neal Brennan, Nikki Glaser, Gary Gulman, and More

[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($5): A variety show in which superb comics Brandon Gulya (Stone Cold Fox), Lauren Olson (Chet Watkins, Risky Bottom), Ashley Ward (Kosmos, Big Black Car), Ben Wietmarschen (Fambly), Leslie Collins (Hello, Legend), Roman Pietrs (THEM, Legend), and Sebastian Conelli (Flower Girl, Tommy Boy) perform characters, stand-up, and other bits at The Magnet hosted by Jon Bander—who s celebrating his birthday today: What's to Get?

10:00 pm ($8): A group of actors and improvisors attempt to duplicate the success of UCBT's Gravid Water by putting improvisors in the middle of classic theatre scenes at The PIT upstairs theatre. UCBT uses top Broadway and improv talent for its show, making it extraordinary. The participants of this show are unannounced; but the format is so strong that this might work anyway, despite the awful title: The Actor's Worst Nightmare

[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 & Langston Belton: Base Jam

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest comics in the world—who are no longer being announced in advance, but it's virtually always a great lineup—at UCB Chelsea hosted by someone wonderful: Whiplash

[ALMOST FREE] 11:00 pm ($1): 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 exceptionally supportive stand-up open mic at The PIT upstairs theatre hosted by Jarrid Reed: Fresh

NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 1/22/13

Scientists reveal what goes on behind closed doors at The Story Collider;
Emily Tarver and friends create stellar comedic music—for their last monthly show—as Summer & Eve

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 6:00 pm: In this delightful weekly open mic show, each comic has 3 minutes to try out a character-based bit (e.g., for a solo show, sketch, or audition) at The PIT downstairs lounge, hosted by Jen Kwok (Comedy Central) and Keisha Zollar (Doppelganger): Imposter Open Mic

[ALMOST FREE] 6:00 pm ($1): Open-mic sketch that allows you to either perform a sketch with your own performers or bring in pages for the audience to perform at The PIT downstairs lounge, followed by feedback on your bit from PIT "sketch-perts:" Pens & Pencils

[FREE] 6:30 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 Chesley Calloway (co-host of renowned Comedy as a Second Language): The Ches Club

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): I'm not sure he's in NYC tonight, but one of the finest improvisors alive, Joe Bill (Bassprov, iO, co-founder of the Annoyance Theatre) will either personally spearhead or lead in spirit a breathtakingly brilliant group of improvisors from Chicago and New York who will blow the roof off The PIT downstairs lounge with lightning-quick dark comedy unlike anything else in NYC. The other superb players typically are Doug Stoley (Conan O'Brien, The Scene), Amey Goerlich (Indie Cage Match, Krompf, The Scene), Jodi Lennon (Exit 57, Annoyance Theatre), Jed Resnik (Annoyance Theatre, UCB), Silvija Ozols (The Stepfathers), Betsy Stover (UCB), Ari Voukydis (VH1's Best Week Ever, UCB), Russ Armstrong (iO Chicago, The Magnet), Micah Sherman (Second City, co-host of The Scene, host of Fun), Rick Andrews (Magnet teacher/performer), and Michael Burton (Act One, The Magnet), all declaring Chica Go-Go

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm-Midnight ($7 for the whole evening): In this 5-hour extravaganza, four of The Magnet's singing improv troupes make up a musical on the spot based on an audience suggestion: Aquarius and BEEES! (at 7:00) and Mint Condition and Legend (at 8:30); followed at 10:15 by a free show that lets audience members join in with musical improv troupe Legend to make up stories in song: Magnet Musical Megawatt

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 7:00 pm: Dan Hirshon & Jay Nog (upcoming animated series Heromakers) joining super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Fontana's (105 Eldridge Street), with giveaways of comics and gift certificates: Comic Book Club

7:00 pm ($8): A Presidential inauguration-themed sketch show at The PIT upstairs theatre: The Quanrudes' Inaugural Inauguration Show

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 7:30 pm ($7.37 if you use code BREAKOUT online or by phone, plus 2-drink min.) A stand-up who's performed on Comedy Central, Spike, and Nickelodeon, and hosts the Saturday night UCB East stand-up show If You Bring It, headlining for one night only at the Carolines Comedy Club (with openers Nore Davis and Matt Koff): Kara Klenk

7:30 pm-9:15 pm ($5): Long form improv known as The Harold from UCB Chelsea house troupes Sherlock & Cookies, Bucky, and Guthrie at this first half of Harold Night

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10 at the door, $12.75 in advance online): "We see science in the news and the media all the time. But what happens when cameras are turned off and the doors closed? Six true, personal stories of science outside of the limelight from Tara Clancy, Kimberly Rae Miller, Anica Rissi, Glen Rosenberg, Theanne Schiros, and Juliet Hope Wayne" at Brooklyn's Union Hall hosted by Ben Lillie & Erin Barker: The Story Collider: Behind the Scenes

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): The superb singer/musicians of Summer & Eve perform deliciously darkly ironic songs—sung beautifully—at UCB East. Check out sample songs by clicking here, and then come enjoy this wonderful show from Summer & Eve: Folky-Pop Musical Comedy

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($12 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Al Madrigal (correspondent for The Daily Show; Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno), Nick Griffin (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents), Gregg Rogell (Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Louie, Comedy Central), Lenny Marcus (David Letterman, MTV), Robert Kelly (Louie, Comedy Central, Opie & Anthony), and Sam Morril (Comedy Central) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by William Stephenson: Al Madrigal, Nick Griffin, and More

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm (no cover, 1 drink min.): Barry Rothbart (Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Comedy Central, MTV's Punk'd, IFC's Do Whatever), Brooke Van Poppelen (MTV's Girl Code; trutV, TLC, co-host of Dive Comedy; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here), Scott Moran (producer of weekly documentary Web series Modern Comedian), Seaton Smith (Opie & Anthony Virus Tour), and Nate Fernald (Team Submarine) performing stand-up at Sidewalk NYC (94 Avenue A) produced by Chenoa Estrada, Emily Heller, and George Gordon and hosted tonight by Josh Gondelman: The Afterlife

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): From Dan Hodapp & Micah Sherman (producers of The Scene), improvisors make up one-act plays on the spot at The PIT downstairs lounge, with tonight's groups including Pumpkin, Ryanna, Bad Intentions, and The Lottery: Act One

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups (not announced) performing at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre hosted by the wonderful Joe Pera, Dan Licata, and Charles Gould: Dan + Joe + Charles' Show

8:00 pm ($8): A dozen writers & performers perform brand new sketch comedy at The PIT upstairs theatre: Big Business

[FREE] 8:30 pm: Typically sharp NYC stand-ups (for an update, please click here) performing at Cake Shop (152 Ludlow Street, between Rivington & Stanton) hosted by Kate Berlant (MTV, CNN, notable hair): Crime & Punishment

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Colin Quinn (former anchor of SNL's Weekend Update and star of Comedy Central's Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn; Broadway one-man show Long Story Short), Dave Hill (one of the most original and hilariously sharp alternative comics in the country; HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, NPR, The Dave Hill Explosion, bands Valley Lodge and Diamondsnake, champion rapper; new book Tasteful Nudes), Barry Rothbart (Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Comedy Central, MTV's Punk'd, IFC's Do Whatever), and more performing at The Slipper Room (167 Orchard Street) hosted by Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet

9:15 pm-Midnight ($5): Long form improv known as The Harold from UCB Chelsea house troupes The Regulars, Salmon Diane, and GoodGirl—plus advanced improv students "are going to challenge themselves by performing a show that they only just learned," summed up as Instant Gratification—at this second half (continued from 7:30 pm) of Harold Night

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): A weekly wild experiment in dark comedy, blending sketch and improv, from brilliant, fearless, and innovative comic Anthony Atamanuik (Death by Roo Roo, 30 Rock, Conan O'Brien, Huffington Post, The Nights of Our Lives), plus stand-up from guests Streeter Seidell (Editor-in-Chief of College Humor; Jimmy Kimmel, MTV's Pranked), Boris Khaykin (North Coast), and Nick Turner (Jimmy Fallon, VH1), all at UCB East produced by Andy Rocco: The Tony Show

[FREE] 9:30 pm: Stand-up and sketch at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre, typically hosted by sketch troupes Savage Animal and/or Jerk Practice: Savage Animal

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($12 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Dave Attell (one of the most respected stand-ups in the biz; star of Showtime's Dave's Old Porn and Comedy Central's Insomniac; HBO, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents), Judah Friedlander (one of the quickest minds in comedy; 30 Rock, Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly, author of How to Beat Up Anybody), Big Jay Oakerson (Comedy Central Presents, HBO, Showtime, MTV), Godfrey (Comedy Central Presents, Louie, 30 Rock, VH1; films Zoolander, Original Gangsters, Soul Plane; 7 Up Yours ads), Chris Distefano (Comedy Central, MTV2's Guy Code), and Mike Vecchione (Last Comic Standing, Howard Stern) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by William Stephenson: Dave Attell, Judah Friedlander, Big Jay Oakerson, and More

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15 & 2-drink min.): 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), Mike Lawrence (nerd persona but razor-sharp mind has made this stand-up a rapidly rising star; Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central's John Oliver's NY Stand-Up), Emily Heller (Comedy Central; staff writer for Rooftop Comedy; for ruminations on pregnancy, please click here), and more performing stand-up at the Gotham Comedy Club hosted by Jared Logan (rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, CNN, TBS): ComedyJuice

[ALMOST FREE] 11:00 pm ($1): 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] 11:00 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 1/23/13

Stellar stand-ups Jessi Klein (Hot Soup) and John Mulaney (For the 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:

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up for 15 comics performing for 5 minutes each at Queens LIC's Laughing Devil Comedy Club (4738 Vernon Blvd.)—with drinks at half price: Happy Hour Open Mic

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up providing 3 minutes per comic at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre hosted by Max Corbel & Benel Germosen: Cracking It

7:00 pm-12:30 am ($7 for the entire evening): Magnet house troupes Nintendo, Flower Girl, Horses, Brick, Bloomer, The Wrath, Dr. Champagne, and Chet Watkins performing improv, followed by a free audience interactive show with Chet Watkins at 11:30 pm: The Magnet's Megawatt

[FREE] 7:00 pm to midnight: Five free hours of improvisation at The PIT upstairs theatre: Super Free Wednesday

7:00 pm ($5): Matthew Robert Gehring (Political Subversities) and Sam Martin (gal musical improviser) perform duo sketch comedy at The PIT downstairs lounge: Matt & Sam

7:30 pm ($5): Expanding the UCB longform improv showcased on Harold Night is this weekly show at UCB East which tonight features troupes City Mouse and Huxtable: Lloyd Night

8:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Ophira Eisenberg (brilliant storyteller with notable bangs; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime, host of NPR's trivia/puzzle show Ask Me Another), Taylor Ketchum (Rooftop Comedy), Matt Maragno, Kerryn Feehan, and Ashlee Gilbert Voorsager performing stand-up at McSwiggan's (393 Second Avenue off 23rd Street) hosted by Selena Coppock, Dan Cartwright, and/or Emily Epstein: Connotation

[FREE] 8:00 pm: 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

[$] 8:00 pm ($14 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Tom Papa (host of Jerry Seinfeld-produced NBC comedy The Marriage Ref; numerous appearances on David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno; three Comedy Central specials), Adam Ferrara (cast member on FX's Rescue Me and ABC's The Job; co-host of History Channel's Top Gear; Comedy Central Presents), Gregg Rogell (Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Louie, Comedy Central), Keith Robinson (HBO, Comedy Central, Wanda Sykes Show), and Robert Kelly (Louie, Comedy Central, Opie & Anthony) performing at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Mike Yard (Comedy Central, Def Comedy Jam): Tom Papa, Adam Ferrara, and More

8:00 pm ($5): UCBT star & Chris Gethard Show icon Riley Soloner is a sweet and silly comic almost impossible to not like. His character Vacation Jason is over-the-top ridiculous, which means Riley has to walk a tightrope between getting laughs and creating a reality believable enough to make us care about what's going on. This first attempt at a sketch show falters on the latter; and I'd encourage Riley to be bolder about doing sharp, smart comedy, even with dumb characters, as he moves forward with his young and promising career. But script aside, there are worse ways to spend 30 minutes then watch Riley on stage while you're wearing a show-supplied Hawaiian lei of flowers around your neck: Vacation Jason's Island Flavors...

...and in the other half of this UCB Chelsea double-bill, the debut of a sketch show I know absolutely nothing about: Former Business Partners: Everything Must Go

[TOP PICK] [FREE] Seating at 8:30, show at 9:00 pm (RSVP to confirm your spot at FreeComedyWednesdays@gmail.com): Jessi Klein (fresh, unique, deliciously organic comic who's one of the best stand-ups in the country; former staff writer for Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN, Adult Swim), 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), Dan St. Germain (quick-witted & enormously likeable rising star; Jimmy Fallon, The Electric Company, MTV, VH1), and Damien Lemon (MTV2's Guy Code, Comedy Central, The Amazing Spider-Man) performing stand-up at Ella (9 Avenue A) produced by Mark Normand, Matt Ruby, Gary Vider, and Sachi Ezura: Hot Soup

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Joe DeRosa (razor-sharp rising star stand-up; HBO’s Bored to Death and Down and Dirty, Comedy Central Presents, comedy CD The Depression Auction), Carole Montgomery (Comedy Central), Jessimae Peluso (Last Comic Standing, Chelsea Lately, TruTV, Tyra Banks), Sean Donnelly (MTV, FOX News; host of many shows), Hadiyah Robinson (BET’s Comic View), and Cory Jarvis performing stand-up at this free weekly comedy show at Lucky Jack's Bar (129 Orchard Street) produced by Kyle Fincham, Lance Weiss, and Brendon Fitzgibbons: Gandhi, Is That You?

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Superb improvisors—and actual brothers—Will Hines and Kevin Hines make use of their intimate knowledge of each other to gracefully invent scenes (hopefully sans sibling squabbling) at UCB East performing as duo The Brothers Hines

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): A writer/performer for Saturday Night Live (for a sample, please click here) who's also one of the very finest stand-ups in the country—with appearances on Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central Presents, VH1's Best Week Ever, etc.—performing a deliciously long set that's likely to leave you breathless with laughter and chuckling weeks later: John Mulaney: For the Hour

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:45 pm ($14 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Judah Friedlander (one of the quickest minds in comedy; 30 Rock, Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly, author of How to Beat Up Anybody), Jessica Kirson (Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, Bravo, VH1, Logo one-woman show My Cookie's Gone), Adam Ferrara (cast member on FX's Rescue Me and ABC's The Job; co-host of History Channel's Top Gear; Comedy Central Presents), Godfrey (Comedy Central Presents, Louie, 30 Rock, VH1; films Zoolander, Original Gangsters, Soul Plane; 7 Up Yours ads), and Sherrod Small (writer/performer on TBS' Are We There Yet?, Comedy Central, VH1), performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Mike Yard (Comedy Central, Def Comedy Jam): Judah Friedlander, Jessica Kirson, Adam Ferrara, and More

[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($5): The wonderful Julie Sharbutt (improv shows Gravid Water, Mystic Improv, The Scene, Birds) and Zhubin Parang (writer for The Daily Show; improv shows What I Did For Love, HUNK, The Scene) perform duo improv "exploring a world of deeply felt character relationships while sitting in chairs" at The PIT downstairs lounge: Chairs

[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($5): The instructors of UCB's classes include some of the finest improvisors in the country. In this new weekly show a bunch of them get on stage at UCB East, along with hosts Betsy Stover and Ari Voukydis: Hot for Teacher: The UCB Faculty Show

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: Rising stand-up stars—Jared Logan, Mike Lawrence, Mark Normand, Dan. St. Germain, Pat Dixon, Emily Heller, Michael Che, Joe List, and/or Nick Turner—at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre: The Regular Suspects

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: While the wonderful Sasheer Zamata preps for her one-woman UCBT show tomorrow at 6:30, her friend Charla Lauriston (semi-depressing stand-up) hosts 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. (Tonight's scheduled guests include Brandon Gulya, Phoebe Robinson, and Julia Wiedeman; for the complete list, please click here.) 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: 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

[FREE] 11:00 pm: Your opportunity to perform on the stage of UCB East with improv veterans, hosted by UCBT Harold Night house troupe Grandma's Ashes: The Improv Jam

[TOP PICK] [$] 11:30 pm ($10 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Uncensored stand-up from Big Jay Oakerson (Comedy Central Presents, HBO, Showtime, MTV), Lynne Koplitz (Joan Know's Best, IFC's Z Rock, host of WB's Life & Style), Andrew Schulz (MTV2's Guy Code), Wil Sylvince (Comedy Central, BET's Comic View), and Mike Vecchione (Last Comic Standing, Howard Stern) performing at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Mike Yard (Comedy Central, Def Comedy Jam): The Nasty Show: Big Jay Oakerson, Lynne Koplitz, Andrew Schultz, and More

NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 1/24/13

Rising star Sasheer Zamata debuts her one-woman show (directed by Leslie Meisel): A Step Closer to Happy;
and in the other half of this spectacular UCB Chelsea double-bill, the debut of a cappella group The Hasseltones

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 6:00 pm: Abra Tabak (improv troupes Grandma's Ashes and What I Did For Love) is tonight's guest at this weekly open mic storytelling show at UCB East, with each performer given a whopping eight minutes to captivate & impress, hosted by the wonderful John Flynn: Oh, Hey Guys!

[ALMOST FREE] 6:00 pm ($1): PIT musical improv troupe Adorable mixes with musical improv novices on-stage at the downstairs lounge for Pitch

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up with comics' names drawn from a bucket and each chosen receiving two minutes—and if that goes well, maybe a hug (but not actual puppies)—at The Creek's upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Ross Parsons & Trey Galyon: Free Puppies

[TOP PICK] 6:30 pm ($5): The wonderful Sasheer Zamata (highly charming, innovative rising star; host of UCBT's School Night, member of red-hot improv troupe Doppelganger, sketch troupe The Prom, and Harold Night troupe Bucky) debuts a one-woman show which I'm hoping will be stellar (and yes, I'll be there). The official description: "Like most people, Sasheer Zamata would like to be a little happier. She doesn't exactly know how to achieve this, but she made a list of things to do to get closer to her goal, and she's going through it one step at a time"—aided by direction from the also wonderful Leslie Meisel: A Step Closer to Happy. Plus in the other half of this debut evening double-bill, "You are cordially invited to join the Hasseltones, the world's only a cappella group that performs exclusively David Hasselhoff songs," featuring such UCBT talents as Lauren Adams, Beth Appel, Joanna Bradley, Morgan Phillips, and Natasha Rothwell: The Hasseltones Live

7:00 pm ($5): Two singing improv troupes make up entire musicals on the spot in this double-bill at The PIT downstairs lounge: Punchbowl and THEM

[$] 7:00 pm ($20): Sue Costello (Last Comic Standing finalist, star of 1998 FOX sitcom Costello) performs a 90-minute one-woman show at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre: Minus 32 Million Words

[FREE] 7:00 pm: In this free Magnet show, audience members (signing in at 6:00) can join in with improv troupe Junior Varsity to make up scenes on the spot: Magnet Mixer

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): Comedy genius Chris Gethard combines storytelling and stand-up to create an unforgettable 30-minute set featuring tales of his birth, the Bio TV series I Survived, and more at UCB Chelsea for one night only: Chris Gethard for the Half Hour

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($19.62 in advance online, $18 at the door): A sketch troupe uses actual material on the Web, performed verbatim, as the foundation for comedy sketches, with this latest series focused on New Year's health & fitness resolutions. For a video sample, please click here; and if you're intrigued, come see the show live at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place), which is running Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday through January 26th. Tonight is extra special because it'll feature a talkback aftershow with some of the blog writers used as source material (and with luck I'll be attending, racing crosstown from the 6:30 shows at UCB Chelsea): Blogologues Health & Fitness: Kale In Me Softly

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm show ($5): This monthly show in which people tell stories revolving around songs tonight features Micaela Blei (Moth GrandSlam champion), Mellini Kantayya (actor/writer), James Comtois (playwright & IT Award nominee), and Jon Reiss—plus a vinyl vs. digital throwdown between comic Brad Loekle and DJ Justin Woo—at the Le Poisson Rouge's The Gallery (158 Bleecker Street) hosted by Dana Ross: The Soundtrack Series

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): The Emmy-winning writers of The Colbert Report gather on the UCB Chelsea stage to perform an all-improvised show at Seize the Mustard

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($20): A former roommate & drinking buddy of such comedy giants as David Cross and Marc Maron performs a one-man show that was such a hit at August's FringeNYC it's been extended indefinitely. Please read my review by clicking here, and Jason Zinoman's New York Times review by clicking here; and then come share an intimate hour with Matt Graham at the Soho Playhouse's downstairs Huron Club so he can explain life and meaning and why This Too Shall Suck

[$] 8:00 pm ($14 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Tom Papa (host of Jerry Seinfeld-produced NBC comedy The Marriage Ref; numerous appearances on David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno; three Comedy Central specials), Adam Ferrara (cast member on FX's Rescue Me and ABC's The Job; co-host of History Channel's Top Gear; Comedy Central Presents), Gary Gulman (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), Gregg Rogell (Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Louie, Comedy Central), Keith Robinson (HBO, Comedy Central, Wanda Sykes Show), and DC Benny (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, ABC's The Unusuals) performing at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Ardie Fuqua: Tom Papa, Adam Ferrara, Gary Gulman, and More

8:00 pm ($5): Two singing improv troupes make up entire musicals on the spot in this double-bill at The PIT downstairs lounge: Hemlock and Dagger

8:00 pm-MIdnight ($7 for the entire evening): The Magnet house troupes Featherweight, Junior Varsity, The Boss, and Hello Laser performing improv for two hours, followed at 10:00 pm by The Blackout (scenes are edited by blackouts created by the director in the booth, and the stage is set by the improvisers from the previous scene), and then at 11:00 improv competition Inspirado (like UCBT's Cage Match, but with a game-like challenge component), tonight featuring Weekend of Regret vs. Orange Augustus: The Magnet's Night Out

[FREE] 8:00 pm: "Comedy, music, and lots of love" at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Patrick J. Reilly: I Love You Show

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00ish pm: Terrific NYC stand-ups (the lineup is typically announced around 3:00 pm; for an update, please click here) performing on this free 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 Patton (one of the finest stand-ups in the country; killer sets on Jimmy Fallon and Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, VH1, feature film Wifed Out; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), Barry Rothbart (Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Comedy Central, MTV's Punk'd, IFC's Do Whatever), Kara Klenk (Comedy Central, Spike, Nickelodeon; host of If You Bring It), Guy Branum (FX's Totally Biased), Matt Maragno, and John F. O'Donnell performing stand-up at UCB East hosted by Adam Conover and/or Emily Heller: Fresh Out

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Comics and comedic storytellers—who tonight are Halle Kiefer, H. Alan Scott, Dale Soules, Guy Branum, and Nhu An Do—performing at The PIT upstairs theatre to share tales on tonight's theme Beginnings at one of the finest storytelling shows in the country: Risk!

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Brilliantly talented improvisor Ellena Chmielewski co-wrote and directed this comedy mini-play about modern romance at UCB Chelsea which I haven't yet seen, but am guessing it's something special: Standards & Practices...

...and in the other half of this double-bill, frankly, UCB Chelsea's worst scripted show of 2012—terrible writing, acting, direction, a perfect storm of bad—but the folks involved are very nice (sometimes things just don't work out...). Don't miss Ellena's show above just because it has the bad luck of being paired with The State vs. Josh: The Trial of the Millennials

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Improvisors make up one-act plays on the spot at The PIT downstairs lounge, produced by Dan Hodapp & Micah Sherman: The Scene

[$] 10:00 pm ($14 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Judah Friedlander (one of the quickest minds in comedy; 30 Rock, Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly, author of How to Beat Up Anybody), Adam Ferrara (cast member on FX's Rescue Me and ABC's The Job; co-host of History Channel's Top Gear; Comedy Central Presents), Lenny Marcus (David Letterman, MTV), Sherrod Small (writer/performer on TBS' Are We There Yet?, Comedy Central, VH1), Modi (HBO's The Sopranos, Comedy Central), and Mike Vecchione (Last Comic Standing, Howard Stern) performing at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Ardie Fuqua: Judah Friedlander, Adam Ferrara, and More

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Stand-up in which each comic has to do at least one joke about his or her ethnic background at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Mo Diggs: Ethnic Quota

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:30 pm ($5 & 2-item food/drink min.) Comics heckle a genre feature film—with tonight's victim the 1976 SF/horror schlock flick God Told Me Too (for a trailer, please click here), notable only for being the movie debut of Andy Kaufman, who plays a possessed policeman on a shooting rampage at the Saint Patrick's Day parade—at Queens LIC's Laughing Devil Comedy Club (4738 Vernon Blvd.): Devil Science Theater 3000

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): After numerous clashes by improv giants—and lots of both disappointing and delightful surprises—it all comes down to this, the final match between the two improv teams that survived the battles of 2012, both of whom happen to be UCBT weekend groups: What I Did for Love and Airwolf. Get down to UCB Chelsea and experience these champions compete for your laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Great lineup of Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan (amazing human boombox; The Daily Show, The Electric Company, Freestyle Love Supreme, co-host of The BEATdown), Joe Pera (very funny deadpan comic; I recently saw him sing beautifully and then smash three dozen plates to pieces; for reasons to hire Joe, please click here), Jermaine Fowler (FOX’s new In Living Color, MTV, Adult Swim's The Eric Andre Show), and more performing who knows what at UCB East hosted by Jason Saenz: Undefined—A Variety Show

[TOP PICK] [$] Midnight ($14 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Uncensored stand-up from Jena Friedman (wry dark comedy stand-up and rising star; producer for The Daily Show, former staff writer for David Letterman, host of Entertaining the Bartender), Paul Mecurio (Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents), Kurt Metzger (Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central Presents, Ugly Americans), Andrew Schultz (MTV2's Guy Code), and Mike Yard (Comedy Central, Def Comedy Jam) performing at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Ardie Fuqua: The Nasty Show: Jena Friedman, Paul Mecurio, Kurt Metzger, and More

NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 1/25/13

Allison Goldberg and Wendy Joy—two of the most hilarious comedic actresses you'll see this year—are part
of a stellar cast that turns verbatim Web text into laugh-packed scenes: Blogologues Health: Kale In Me Softly

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 happen at 5:45-6:00 pm) at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City with hosts Erin Lennox and Eli Sairs: The Orphanage

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($7): A legion of super-storytellers: Ophira Eisenberg (brilliant storyteller with notable bangs; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime, host of NPR's trivia/puzzle show Ask Me Another), Jim O'Grady (The New York Times, WNYC Radio, Moth GrandSlam Champion), Brad Lawrence (Moth GrandSlam Champion, FringeNYC, co-host of The Standard Issues), Peter Aguero (Conan O'Brien, Moth GrandSlam Champion, The BTK Band), and Ed Gavagan telling comedic tales at The Magnet with host Adam Wade (two-time Moth GrandSlam Storytelling Champion (2006 & 2009) and record-breaking 18-time StorySlam Champion; The New York Times Magazine; host of hilarious monthly storytelling extravaganzas The Adam Wade Show, Tales of the Cosmos, and Whatever Happened to the Nerds?; for a sampling of Adam's award-winning tales, please click here): Super Stories

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:00 pm ($20 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Darrell Hammond (famed long-time cast member of Saturday Night Live), Tom Papa (host of Jerry Seinfeld-produced NBC comedy The Marriage Ref; numerous appearances on David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno; three Comedy Central specials), Adam Ferrara (cast member on FX's Rescue Me and ABC's The Job; co-host of History Channel's Top Gear; Comedy Central Presents), Gregg Rogell (Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Louie, Comedy Central), Lenny Marcus (David Letterman, MTV), and Tony Woods (David Letterman) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Keith Robinson (HBO, Comedy Central, Wanda Sykes Show): Darrell Hammond, Tom Papa, Adam Ferrara, and More

7:00 pm ($8): Improv that flows from moment to moment, with no sweeps or tag outs—"each exit starts a new scene, while performers use devices ranging from monologues to in-scene questions to break into characters and relationships quicker and deeper" at The PIT downstairs lounge: Scoresby

[FREE] 7:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up, with 3 minutes per comic (unless not many folks show up, in which case there'll be more time), with names drawn out of a bucket at UCB East in the bar area ("Hot Chicks Room") hosted by Nate Dern and Paul Oddo: The Friday Night Hot Chicks Mic

[TOP PICK] 7:30 ($10): Comedy club headliner depth for just $10: Joe DeRosa (razor-sharp rising star stand-up; HBO’s Bored to Death and Down and Dirty, Comedy Central Presents, comedy CD The Depression Auction), plus "a special guest," each perform 30-minute sets at UCB East hosted by Adam Newman (Comedy Central, College Humor). Barring a last-minute snag, I'll be attending this: Big Long Sets

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Stone Cold Fox is the only sketch troupe (vs. improv troupe) to ever be honored with an ongoing spot on the prestigious UCB Chelsea weekend schedule. It’s earned this slot because its cast is one of the finest in comedy, with each performer strong enough for potential stardom. I haven't yet seen this latest all-new sketch show, but have heard good things about the script spearheaded and directed by the superb Michael Trapp: Stone Cold Fox: All Keyed Up

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($19.62 in advance online, $18 at the door): A top-notch theatrical troupe that's equally fine at compelling acting and split-second comedy uses actual material on the Web, performed verbatim, to craft laugh-out-loud scenes. While I'd never seen the show before last night, this run is the 11th in the prolific series (begun in 2011), and—appropriately for New Year's resolutions—this month focuses on diet, health, and fitness. While everyone in the cast is exceptional, standouts such as Wendy Joy and Allison Goldberg are worth the trip all by themselves. For a video sample (a pale shadow of the live show), please click here. Another reviewer called this "like Forbidden Broadway for the Internet," and that's pretty close to the mark. There are only two more performances, tonight and Saturday at 8:00, so grab tickets in advance before it sells out, and then enjoy this production at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place): Blogologues Health & Fitness: Kale In Me Softly

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($38.25 & 2-drink min.) An energetic regular on Chelsea Lately who's also appeared on Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, VH1, and his own Comedy Central special headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Jo Koy

8:00 pm ($8): A house sketch troupe performs at The PIT upstairs theatre: National Scandal

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Stand-up, sketch, videos, and more at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre with Jeffrey Joseph and hosts Ron Krasnow & Joel Walkowski: The Short Bus

[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 ($7): Magnet improvisors play a fun game in which they all stay on stage at all times, and alternate between speaking roles and playing inanimate objects: Medusa

[$] 8:45 pm ($24 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Tom Papa (host of Jerry Seinfeld-produced NBC comedy The Marriage Ref; numerous appearances on David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno; three Comedy Central specials), Adam Ferrara (cast member on FX's Rescue Me and ABC's The Job; co-host of History Channel's Top Gear; Comedy Central Presents), Lenny Marcus (David Letterman, MTV), Michael Che (David Letterman, Comedy Central), and Tony Woods (David Letterman) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Keith Robinson (HBO, Comedy Central, Wanda Sykes Show): Tom Papa, Adam Ferrara, and More

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from comedy geniuses Chris Gethard and Shannon O'Neill, plus stellar comics Silvija Ozols, Zach Woods, Michael Delaney, Will Hines, and Connor Ratliff, performing at UCB Chelsea—the all-star members of The Stepfathers

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): A gathering of comedic musicians, who tonight are delightful duo Mel & El, the multitalented Sharon Spell (stand-up, improv illustrator, host of The Big Shrink), and more performing at UCB East hosted by superb musical group Summer & Eve (for samples, please click here): Earworm Funny Music Party Show

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): One of my favorite people, Julie Sharbutt—who's performed with some of the greatest improvisors alive at UCBT's Gravid Water—goes for improv gold herself with comedy partner Cathleen Carr (Birds, The Scene, Dos Experimentos) as they "hope to establish themselves as the leading voices in contemporary South Boston crime noir improv comedy. Watch them, along with tonight's guests Erick Hellwig, Bob Kulhan, and Chris Roberti, unspool a suspenseful, heavily-accented mystery thrilla" at The PIT downstairs lounge: Mystic Improv

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 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): Gary Gulman (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), Mike Yard (Comedy Central, Def Comedy Jam), Aaron Berg, and more performing at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club

9:30 pm ($10): A PIT improv troupe making up a musical on the spot after a friendly greeting: Hello

[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors —tonight including guest Tom Shillue (Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents, 2011 ECNY Award for Best Storyteller, host of Funny Story, albums Better Stronger Faster and Big Room)—at The Magnet using an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

10:00 pm ($5): At this PIT downstairs lounge double-bill, Dan Hodapp & Natasha Rothwell "bring more than five years of improv collaboration to stage for an evening of bold, committed characters and probably a fart joke for good measure" as Hodapp & Rothwell, and then all-gal improvisors Alexis Saarela, Brigid Boyle, Elizabeth Findlay, and Ashley Ward perform as troupe Taco Supreme

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Veteran improvisors reunite, new improvisors perform, and then old and new merge to create a one-nigh-only team at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre hosted by Nick Arret: Old New Borrowed and Blue

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:30 pm ($24 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Tom Papa (host of Jerry Seinfeld-produced NBC comedy The Marriage Ref; numerous appearances on David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno; three Comedy Central specials), Lynn Koplitz (Joan Know's Best, IFC's Z Rock, host of WB's Life & Style), Adam Ferrara (cast member on FX's Rescue Me and ABC's The Job; co-host of History Channel's Top Gear; Comedy Central Presents), Gary Gulman (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Keith Robinson (HBO, Comedy Central, Wanda Sykes Show): Tom Papa, Lynn Koplitz, Adam Ferrara, and More

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Fran Gillespie, Jon Gabrus, Sue Galloway, Matt Fisher, Craig Rowin, Nate Lang, and/or other superb improvisors at UCB Chelsea making up scenes about an audience member's legal dispute: The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

10:30 pm ($10): Shannon O'Neill (breathtakingly innovative, lighting-quick, and fearless improvisor/sketch comic and rising star; The Chris Gethard Show, The Stepfathers, ASSSSCAT 3000, Strangers Wanted, Ladies Night, The Lady Jam), Arthur Meyer (Jimmy Fallon), Adam Newman (Comedy Central, MTV, College Humor, comedy CD Not for Horses), and more performing at UCB East hosted by Brandon Scott Jones, D'Arcy Carden, Justin Tyler, Emily Axford, and/or Alden Ford: Gentrify

[TOP PICK] 11:30 pm ($5): Before this Magnet show, audience members may anonymously submit written confessions, secrets, rants, advice and opinions which will be used onstage by the improvisors—who include such talents as Laura Grey (stellar old-time radio style theatrical podcast Horrorgasm, improv troupe Salmon Diane, sketch/improv duo Klepper & Grey): The Friday Night Sh*w

[TOP PICK] [FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups—sometimes stellar ones—pushing boundaries for a show designed for looseness and experimentation at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City with hosts Jacqueline Novak and Chris Laker: Permission to Fail

Midnight ($5): A variety of oddball comedy acts from UCBT talents Don Fanelli/Mike Antonucci/Darren Miller, Langan Kinglsey, Matt Hunziker, Coker & Stratton, and more at UCB East hosted by sketch duo Matt Dennie & Josh Sharp: Cool Shit / Weird Shit

[FREE] Midnight: This show might not be much fun for audience members, 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. Plus it's hosted by members of Maude troupe Fambly, typically including such wonderful talents as Nicole Byer and Veronica Osorio: Liquid Courage

[$] 12:15 am ($20 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Lynne Koplitz (Joan Know's Best, IFC's Z Rock, host of WB's Life & Style), Gary Gulman (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), Nick Griffin (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents), Sherrod Small (writer/performer on TBS' Are We There Yet?, Comedy Central, VH1), Mike Yard (Comedy Central, Def Comedy Jam), and Sam Morril (Comedy Central) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Ardie Fuqua: Lynn Koplitz, Gary Gulman, Nick Griffin, and More

NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 1/26/13

Leah Rudick & Katie Hartman celebrate 5 years of performing by doing their best sketches as Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting,
hilarious deadpan Joe Pera performs stand-up and then reveals his dark secrets at We're All Friends Here...

...stellar musician Corn Mo is among the guests at The Dream Show, and Violet Krumbein's at Characters Welcome

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: A dozen stand-ups—including Ben Kissel and Boris Khaykin—perform at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City produced by Andy Rocco and hosted tonight by Lucas Connolly: Rocco's Playground

6:00 pm ($5): Improv troupes The Brawlers, Fancy Mantelpiece, and Human Pyramid at The Magnet kicking off your Saturday evening: The Rundown

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($10): Sketch comedy duo Leah Rudick & Katie Hartman celebrate five years on stage by performing their most popular bits: "Five years ago Leah Rudick and Katie Hartman had a baby and named her Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting. What a terrible name for a child to grow up with. Now she is old enough to talk and doesn't crap her pants anymore. Or does she…? Come find out at her Best Of birthday show!" Join this party thrown by a duo who's rocked audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, FringeNYC, and numerous sketch festivals, tonight at The PIT upstairs theatre: Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): Ann Carr (Louie, Comedy Central), Violet Krumbein (30 Rock, Delocated), Tim Dunn (Animal Planet), and more performing character bits at UCB East hosted by Justin Tyler and Michael Hartney: Characters Welcome

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 7:30 pm: Wonderful sketch comics Amber Nelson & Ashley Brooke Roberts host a free variety show featuring stand-up, character acts, music, and who knows what else, with tonight featuring superb musician Corn Mo (amazing comedic musician; Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, .357 Lover), Halle Kiefer (storyteller), Damien Lemon (stand-up; MTV2's Guy Code, Comedy Central), and "a special guest" performing at the Comedy Bar (134 West 29th Street): The Dream Show

[$] 7:30 pm ($20 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Lynne Koplitz (Joan Know's Best, IFC's Z Rock, host of WB's Life & Style), Gary Gulman (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), Nick Griffin (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents), Lenny Marcus (David Letterman, MTV), Michael Che (David Letterman, Comedy Central), and Mike Yard (Comedy Central, Def Comedy Jam) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Keith Robinson (HBO, Comedy Central, Wanda Sykes Show): Lynne Koplitz, Gary Gulman, Nick Griffin, and More

7:30 pm ($7): Sharp Magnet improvisors "perform organic freeform improvisation in two mind-blowing parts; the only rule is that there are no rules:" The Weave

7:30 pm ($10): Talented improvisors at UCB Chelsea interview an audience member about where he or she grew up and then "turn that town's tourist attractions, landmarks, hangouts, local celebrities, urban legends, and more into a hilarious show made up on the spot:" The Curfew: Not From Around Here

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups (not announced) performing at this monthly gay-themed show at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre hosted by Tom Steffen: Rapier Wit

8:00 pm ($10): Two of the most respected PIT improv troupes performing on this weekly double-bill: Big Black Car and The Baldwins

8:30 pm ($10): Jon Friedman (Jimmy Fallon, The Rejection Show), Reid Faylor (co-host of hilarious Creek show Underbelly), 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), Adam Conover (College Humor, host of Fresh Out), Leah Bonnema (VH1, WeTV, Logo), and Paul Jay performing stand-up at UCB East hosted by Kara Klenk: If You Build It

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

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: NYC stand-ups tell jokes and perform comedy as original characters at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Shakir Standley: Out of Character

9:00 pm ($5): "Ashley Rebecca King and Gregory von Portz present a post-dinner poolside party for their hippest and most sophisticated friends. Menthol-cool musical stylings and intellectual discourse abound as you are treated to a floor show with a carefully chosen set list, curated by the world’s foremost cover-band artists, that changes monthly. Dip in; it's never the same dive twice." Tonight's theme: Manhattan at The PIT downstairs lounge: Moon Pools

9:00 pm ($7): Magnet improvisors team up with poets at Kiss*Punch*Poem

[$] 9:15 pm ($24 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Neal Brennan (razor-sharp, edgy comedy veteran; HBO, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, co-creator of Chappelle's Show), Lynne Koplitz (Joan Know's Best, IFC's Z Rock, host of WB's Life & Style), Gary Gulman (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), Tony Woods (David Letterman), Michael Che (David Letterman, Comedy Central), and Dan Naturman (David Letterman, Jay Leno) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Keith Robinson (HBO, Comedy Central, Wanda Sykes Show): Neal Brennan, Lynne Koplitz, Gary Gulman, and More

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): "Musical sketch comedy that skewers and dissects pop culture one roll of the dice at at time"—that is, dishes up a bunch of short, scripted sketches that include singing and/or dancing, at The PIT upstairs theatre: Pop Roulette

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:30 pm or 10:00 pm, depending on which webpage is accurate: Rising star Joe Pera (hilarious deadpan Andy Kaufman-like stand-up; one time I saw Joe sing beautifully and then smash three dozen plates to pieces; more recently he ended his set and became the highlight of the evening, by slicing milk; for reasons to hire Joe, please click here), Jeffrey Joseph (Jay Leno, HBO, FOX's In Living Color, Comedy Central), and Kate Hendricks performing sets and then being interviewed about their personal lives at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Matt Ruby & Mark Normand (who says "all these guys were hand-picked because they're funny and have some serious problems; when you read this lineup you're gonna be like 'oh yeah, that guy is a mess'): We're All Friends Here

[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 ($8): NYC's heavy metal version of a sketch troupe, which doesn't always ht the mark but provides odd, unsettling, and fearless dark comedy—and in 2011 won the ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group—performing at The PIT downstairs lounge: Murderfist: Late and Dirty

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): At UCB Chelsea, improv troupe Grandma's Ashes—which includes stellar talents Ryan Karels, Morgan Grace Jarrett, Brandon Scott Jones, and more—promises to "take your stories of the tragic and depraved and scatter them into laughter:" Grandma's Ashes Gets Dark

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($5): At UCB East, improv troupe Sandino—which includes Aaron Jackson, Brandon Gulya, Don Fanelli, and Kate Riley—interviews an audience member about some puzzle and then acts out scenes providing an unexpected answer: Sandino: Unsolved Mysteries

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:30 pm ($20 plus 2-drink min.): Judah Friedlander (one of the quickest minds in comedy; 30 Rock, Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly, author of How to Beat Up Anybody), Big Jay Oakerson (Comedy Central Presents, HBO, Showtime, MTV), Adrienne Iapalucci (Last Comic Standing, VH1), Dan Soder (Comedy Central, VH1; for set about being a hypochondriatic drug user, please click here), and Yannis Pappas performing stand-up at The Stand Comedy Club (239 Third Avenue & 20th Street): Judah Friedlander, Big Jay Oakerson, and More

10:30 pm ($7): Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney perform at The Magnet as comedy duo Trike

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($10): Original comedic songs are showcased, with tonight's performers Myq & Micah (Myq Kaplan & Micah Sherman), Connor Ratliff (The Stepfathers, Stone Cold Fox), Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting (Leah Rudick & Katie Hartman), Julia Morales, and Megan Lohne at The PIT upstairs theatre hosted by Justin Perez & Shaina Stigler: Totally Requesty

[$] 11:00 pm ($24 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Neal Brennan (razor-sharp, edgy comedy veteran; HBO, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, co-creator of Chappelle's Show), Gary Gulman (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), Nick Griffin (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents), Russ Meneve (Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno), Sherrod Small (writer/performer on TBS' Are We There Yet?, Comedy Central, VH1), and Erik Rivera (Jay Leno, MTV) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Keith Robinson (HBO, Comedy Central, Wanda Sykes Show): Neal Brennan, Gary Gulman, Nick Griffin, and More

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): Kara Klenk (Comedy Central, Spike, Nickelodeon; host of If You Bring It), Michelle Wolf (IFC's Bunk), Sean Donnelly (MTV, FOX News; host of many shows), and Luke Younger share true-life longish funny tales at this UCB East mashup of stand-up and storytelling hosted by Alison Leiby: It's a Long Story

Midnight ($5): "Jason Saenz and Riley Soloner have invited the worst people in NYC to come and talk about their sh*tty situations in front of a studio audience in hopes that they can better themselves and turn their lives around. HAHAHA! Just kidding! We're exploiting these people for ratings!" This month's episode: Out of Control Teens, featuring a dozen comics performing at UCB Chelsea including Charlie Todd, Veronica Osorio, and Zach Broussard: Late Night Trash

[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups (not announced) at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Nick Turner (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Midnight Run

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

[TOP PICK] [$] 12:45 am ($20 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Al Madrigal (correspondent for The Daily Show; Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno), Nikki Glaser (co-star of MTV's The Nikki and Sara Show; Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing; podcast You Had to Be There), Tony Woods (David Letterman), Sherrod Small (writer/performer on TBS' Are We There Yet?, Comedy Central, VH1), Andrew Schulz (MTV2's Guy Code), and Mike Yard (Comedy Central, Def Comedy Jam) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by William Stephenson: Al Madrigal, Nikki Glaser, and More

NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 1/27/13

Comics debate whether UCBT's "no pay" policy for its performers & writers is reasonable at comedy club The Stand;
rising superstar Amy Schumer performs at the 8:00 show of Comedy Cellar and 9:00 pm show of Eastville

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 walk-in open mic stand-up show at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens' Long Island City: Face-Plant Comedy Showcase

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 5:30 pm: Comedy legend Colin Quinn and stand-up Hari Kondabolu (Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central Presents, , FX's Totally Biased) are interviewed live on stage about "the firsts and the lasts that have marked the mileposts in their careers" by Sean L. McCarthy (The Comic's Comic at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Last Things First

[FREE] 5:30 pm: Open-mic stand-up, with 3 minutes per comic (unless not many folks show up, in which case there'll be more time), with names drawn out of a bucket at UCB East in the bar area ("Hot Chicks Room") hosted by Emmy Blotnick, Matt Nedostup, and/or Sachi Ezurafor: Sledgehammer

6:00 pm ($8): All-gal improv troupes are rare, but this show showcases three of them: Deer Babies, Vacation, and Concierge, all performing at The PIT upstairs theatre: Womanhattan

6:00 pm ($5): Open-mic stand-up that includes professional feedback on each comic's 5-minute set at Queens LIC's Laughing Devil Comedy Club (4738 Vernon Blvd.): Mic-Shop: Open Mic Workshop

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($8): Rob Ribar (musical historian and host of Queer Not Cool), Bathtub Jenny and Her Henchmen (musical vaudeville), stand-up Ben Kronberg (Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central, MTV, ABC), and more performing at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place, off First Avenue) hosted by Kyle Supley: Vintage Vantage Variety Show

7:00 pm ($8): PIT upstairs theatre improvisors Nate Starkey & Chris Grace makes stuff up as Starkey & Grace

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

7:30 pm ($5): Improv troupes not affiliated with any comedy school compete at UCB East for audience laughs and votes—and the privilege to go on to perform at the primary Cage Match show at UCB Chelsea—in this show hosted by the delightful Amey Goerlich & Ryan Karels (Krompf): Indie Cage Match

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm (a mere $12.50, and no drink minimum, using discount code DEBATE online): In this show that sounds spectacular, Kurt Metzger and Maddog Mattern argue that UCBT, one of the most prominent leading forces for comedy in the country, should pay its performers; Mark Normand debates Nick Vatterott on "Jews: Good or Bad?"; Dan Soder debates Joe List on "What's Better, a Bad Dad or a Dead One?"; plus stand-up from Joe DeRosa, Annie Lederman, Jeff Wesselschmidt, and more, all at The Stand Comedy Club (239 Third Avenue & 20th Street), which for this special event will not be charging a drink minimum, plus is offering a $5 discount on the cover: The Great Debate

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($14 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Great lineup of Amy Schumer (one of the very finest stand-ups in the country; Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central Presents, Last Comic Standing, 30 Rock), John Mulaney (one of the finest stand-ups in the country; writer/performer for Saturday Night Live; Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central Presents, one hour special & CD/DVD New in Town, VH1's Best Week Ever; for John's great bit on Weekend Update, please click here), Gary Gulman (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), Keith Alberstadt (David Letterman, VH1, contributor to SNL's Weekend Update), and Jeff Lamp (Jay Leno) performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Ardie Fuqua: Amy Schumer, John Mulaney, and More

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($7): Mike Lawrence (nerd persona but razor-sharp mind has made this stand-up a rapidly rising star; Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central's John Oliver's NY Stand-Up), Myq & Micah (comedic singing duo Myq Kaplan & Micah Sherman), Brooke Van Poppelen (MTV's Girl Code; trutV, TLC, co-host of Dive Comedy; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here), and Emily Heller (Comedy Central; staff writer for Rooftop Comedy; for ruminations on pregnancy, please click here), Eugene Mirman (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents, HBO's Flight of the Conchords, FOX's Bob's Burgers, Adult Swim's Delocated, VH1; pioneer of NYC downtown comedy), Jared Logan (rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, CNN, TBS, host of ComedyJuice), Kara Klenk (Comedy Central, Spike, Nickelodeon; host of If You Bring It), Damien Lemon (MTV2's Guy Code, Comedy Central, The Amazing Spider-Man), and Ken Reid performing stand-up at Brooklyn's Union Hall hosted by Caroline Creaghead (who's taken over the time slot for Eugene Mirman's previous show Pretty Good Friends): Creaghead & Company

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Veteran improvisors—including the wonderful the brilliant and delightful Lauren Olson (powerhouse one-woman show Our Condolences at FringeNYC; brilliant writer, actress, and improvisor)—make up a one-act play on the spot at The Magnet theatre: Tonight's Performance

[$] 8:00 pm ($38.25 & 2-drink min.) An energetic regular on Chelsea Lately who's also appeared on Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, VH1, and his own Comedy Central special headlining one last night at the Carolines Comedy Club: Jo Koy

8:00 pm ($8): A one-man show by Ryan Dietz in which you "meet Ryan, a sixth grader who’s birthday wishes come true when his parents get him what he’s been praying for: a box turtle. Things at home have definitely started looking up…but what about school? Would he trade in his only friend, Jason, for an ounce of popularity? Will he actually get to perform on a real stage, outside of his living room productions? Ryan’s dreams start to turn to reality, but how long could it last? Follow Ryan as his imagination and desire to perform help him discover what it means to grow up your own way" at The PIT upstairs theatre: The Box Turtle Incident

8:00 pm ($5): Sketch comedy at The PIT downstairs lounge from a troupe born at Marymount Manhattan College: Poptards

[FREE] 8:00 pm: An improv show that asks you to drop written suggestions into a box before it begins and then dips into the collection of suggestions throughout to propel new scenes: The Drop Box

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Andrew Schulz (MTV2's Guy Code), Ryan McKee (writer for MTV's Guy Code), Yannis Pappas, and more performing at the Three of Cups lounge (83 First Avenue at 5th Street) hosted by RG Daniels: Sunday Night Stand-Up

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 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): Rising superstar Amy Schumer (one of the very finest stand-ups in the country; Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central Presents, Last Comic Standing, 30 Rock), Christian Finnegan (Conan O'Brien, co-star of TBS' Are We There Yet?; three Comedy Central specials; MSNBC, VH1's Best Week Ever, Chappelle's Show, The Today Show), and more performing at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Neal Brennan (razor-sharp, edgy comedy veteran; HBO, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, co-creator of Chappelle's Show), Calise Hawkins (Jimmy Fallon, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, writer for Playboy.com), Dan Soder (Comedy Central, VH1; for set about being a hypochondriatic drug user, please click here), Rob Stapleton, and Hassan Madry performing stand-up at Brooklyn's Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Avenue) guest-hosted by Joyelle Nicole Johnson: Comedy Night

[FREE] 9:00 pm: Sarah Tollemache (host of Last Night,; immortal story That's Not My Shit), Nore Davis, Charles Gould, Joe Zimmerman, and Taylor Ketchum performing stand-up in the East Village's Beauty Bar for this free weekly show hosted by Adam Sokol, Brad Austin, and/or Nate Fridson: Comedy at the Beauty Bar

9:00 pm ($5): Improv veterans Brandon Gardner, Chelsea Clarke, and Phillip Jackson hosting & performing in a show at UCB East with guest improvisors: Improv Nerds

9:30 pm ($8): A musical about the profession of stand-up comic at The PIT upstairs theatre: Stand-Up The Musical

9:30 pm ($5): Sketch comedy at The Magnet, tonight from troupes Cookie Mountain and Fat Kids: Magnet Sketch Teams

[ALMOST FREE] 9:30 pm ($1): Open-mic stand-up, with four minutes per comic, at The PIT downstairs lounge hosted by Molly Austin & Mike Brown: Vicious Cycle

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:45 pm ($14 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Neal Brennan (razor-sharp, edgy comedy veteran; HBO, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, co-creator of Chappelle's Show), Nick Griffin (David Letterman, Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents), Lenny Marcus (David Letterman, MTV), Michael Che (David Letterman, Comedy Central), and Mike Vecchione (Last Comic Standing, Howard Stern) performing at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Ardie Fuqua: Neal Brennan, Nick Griffin, and More

10:00 pm ($5): Improv veterans Brandon Gardner, Chelsea Clarke, and Phillip Jackson hosting & performing in a show at UCB East with improvisors taken from the audience...and who may include you: Improv Nerds Jam

11:00 pm ($5): Popular hip-hop improv troupe North Coast performs at The Magnet to bid adieu to its human beatboxer, who's moving to LA: North Coast: Au Revoir Shaun Fisher

[TOP PICK] [$] 11:30 pm ($14 plus 2-item food/drink min.): Al Madrigal (correspondent for The Daily Show; Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno), Mark Normand (hilarious stand-up; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central; co-host of Hot Soup and We're All Friends Here), Ryan Hamilton (Conan O'Brien, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, Showtime), Andrew Schulz (MTV2's Guy Code), and Dan Soder (Comedy Central, VH1; for set about being a hypochondriatic drug user, please click here)performing stand-up at Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street, between 3rd Street & Minetta Lane) hosted by Ardie Fuqua: Al Madrigal, Mark Normand, and More

NYC Comedy Picks for Tonight

Previous NYC Comedy Picks

Home Page

Email: hy@hyreviews.com