NYC Comedy Picks for Week of January 9, 2012

NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 1/9/12

Comedy geniuses Andrea Rosen, John Gemberling, and Chris Gethard perform at Kurt & Kristen's Hot Tub Variety...

...and comedy geniuses John Mulaney and Daniel Kitson perform at Whiplash

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 stand-up show running about 90 minutes at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City with host Chris Gaynor: Open Mic Mondays

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): A monthly storytelling show from the wonderful Adam Wade (two-time Moth GrandSlam Storytelling Champion (2006 & 2009) and record-breaking 15-time StorySlam Champion; The New York Times Magazine; host of Real Tales of College; for Adam's award-winning tale of being an NBC page on Conan O'Brien, please click here), along with guest storyteller Seth Lind (NPR's This American Life, host of Told) and improv illustrator Sharon Spell drawing scenes as they're described, all at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place, off First Avenue): The Adam Wade from New Hampshire Show: Tales of Life, Love, and Little League

7:00 pm ($5): A sketch troupe trying out stuff at The Magnet: The Day Terrors

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

[FREE] 7:30 pm: Four improvisers form teams with comics they've never performed with before at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: The Kaleidoscope

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($9.47 online or $8 at the door): A blowout show with Chris Gethard (star of Comedy Central sitcom Big Lake and Mannhattan Cable Access' The Chris Gethard Show; The Stepfathers, The Nights of Our Lives, author of new bestseller A Bad Idea I'm About to Do), Andrea Rosen (HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Comedy Central's Stella, Variety SHAC, The Nights of Our Lives, Ding Dong Meow, winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Stand-Up), John Gemberling (genius improvisor & comedic character actor; Comedy Central, Adult Swim, Death by Roo Roo, The Tony and Johnny Show), and more performing at Brooklyn's Littlefield (622 Degraw Street) with sketches and more from a duo who between them won four 2011 ECNY Awards—including Best Variety Show and Best Hosts—Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler: Hot Tub Variety with Kurt & Kristen

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 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 to the Soho Playhouse tonight to see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event: Baby Wants Candy

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Of all the superb comedic performers new to me at SketchFest NYC 2011, the one who most impressed was Meghan O'Neill. This exceptional actress has such a strong command of voice and movement that in one sketch she managed to convincingly evoke a dozen pop culture figures in under 30 seconds. O'Neill is also a sharp writer, bringing a groundedness and underlying meaning to even the silliest of scenarios. O'Neill is a member of the acclaimed Striking Viking Story Pirates, but is just starting to achieve the fame her talent deserves. If she's been under your radar too, please watch her promo video by clicking here, and then come check her out at The PIT upstairs theatre performing a one-woman show with a title that belies O'Neill's star quality: 'Fraidy Cat

8:00 pm ($5): Typically superb stand-ups (unfortunately, not announced yet) performing at UCB East for a show with a Comedy Central stamp of approval: Comedy Central Corporate Retreat

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups George Gordon, Anthony DeVito, Calvin Cato, Adam Sokol, and "a special guest" performing at the One and One Bar (1st Street & First Avenue) for this weekly stand-up show hosted by Louis Katz, Tim Dimond, and J. F. Harris: Raw Guts

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): A monthly mix of storytelling & music at Under St. Marks from rockin' hosts Peter Aguero & the BTK Band, with tonight's yarn-spinners Ophria Eisenberg, Seth Lind, Cyndi Freeman, and Brad Lawrence, plus GoGo by the Bird of Paradise and Dangrrr Doll, and spontaneous illustrations by in-the-moment artist Sharon Spell: The BTK Band: We Resolve to Rock Your Face Off

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: PIT owner Ali Farahnakian and razor-sharp PIT instructors perform improv at The PIT downstairs lounge in The Faculty Part 2: Electric Boogaloo; plus improv troupe Technicolor

9:30 pm ($5): Two of UCB Chelsea's house sketch troupes, Gramp's and Onasis, try out new bits at Maude Night

[FREE] 9:30 pm: Long-form improv from troupe Casual Sex Offenders at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: CSO Improv Comedy

10:00 pm ($5): At this improv double-bill at The Magnet, Ruby Marez & Binu Paulose will play muliple characters within a single event as RuBin, and then Dustin Drury & Andrew Yurman-Glaser will "start off slow and relaxed and builds to a fast paced mosaic of characters and relationship" as Upstate New York

10:00 pm ($5): Improv veterans Brandon Gardner, Chelsea Clarke, and Phillip Jackson hosting & performing in a show at UCB East with guest improvisors: Improv Nerds

[FREE] 10:30 pm: Improv students are welcomed onto the stage at The PIT downstairs lounge for this weekly open access show hosted by Gary DeNoia & Keith Huang: Base Jam

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest comics in the world—who tonight include genius stand-up & storyteller Daniel Kitson (currently performing a stellar theatrical show in Brooklyn) and John Mulaney (one of the finest stand-ups in the country; writer/performer for Saturday Night Live; Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central Presents, VH1's Best Week Ever; for John's great bit on Weekend Update, please click here)—at UCB Chelsea hosted by Chris Gethard: Whiplash

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

NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 1/10/12

Hannibal Buress performs at Hot Dang; Justin Long is at 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): In this unique new improv show, the audience texts the improvisers on stage their lines—i.e., it's "the only show that won’t tell you to put away your cell phones." Troupe Student Driver performs this fun interactive stunt at The PIT upstairs theatre: Text Me My Line

7:00 pm ($5): Two mini-plays (with no descriptions, so your guess is as good as mine) auditioning for a spot on The Magnet's schedule: Love Songs Gone Wrong and How Did I Get Here?

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

[MEGA-TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($25 at the box office or $28 online): UK-based Daniel Kitson is one of the sharpest and most respected writer/performers alive. This is a rare opportunity to spend an intimate 90 minutes with a true genius of both stand-up and storytelling. This show is the latter—a carefully constructed, detail-packed theatrical tale of two people and the small, quiet moments that make up their lives. Daniel says it's "about everything and nothing," and that's precisely right. After you see it, you may find it hard to not consider all the small moments lived by any person you pass by...and what the moments of your own life add up to. This one-man show played to packed houses at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and is now running every day except Mondays through January 29th at Brooklyn's St. Ann's Warehouse (29 Jay Street): It's Always Right Now, Until It's Later

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

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Hannibal Buress (staff writer for 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live; David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Louie, upcoming one-hour Comedy Central special), Mike Doughty (David Letterman, Conan O'Brien; formerly of band Soul Coughing; solo album Sad Man Happy Man), Ann Carr (Comedy Central, VH1, Web series The Actress), and Craig Baldo (Conan O'Brien, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, VH1, The Onion) performing at UCB East for a comedy variety show hosted by the delightful Sara Schaefer and Scott Moran: Hot Dang

8:00 pm-Midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv at UCB Chelsea for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Deckard, Sandino, Dance Break, Grandma's Ashes, and Still Mike—and at 11:00 pm advanced improv students perform scenes in which a very small occurrence can produce unpredictable and sometimes explosive results—all at Harold Night

[FREE] 8:00 pm: This weekly show features "a swarthy selection of fine stand-up comics and mildly entertaining recurring segments" at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre, hosted by Jim Tews & Brendan Eyre: Chest Hair

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:15ish pm: NYC treasure Kurt Braunohler is the producer and host of this comedic "anti-game-show" game show aimed at becoming a TV series. It involves three comedic contestants being asked ridiculous questions so they can provide even more ridiculous answers. The winner, judged by Kurt, is then awarded points—which are meaningless, because no one ultimately wins and there are no prizes. Being taped Brooklyn's Union Hall, it's Pointless Live

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: Rosencrantz and BEEES!

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): 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), Justin Long (NBC's Ed, Galaxy Quest, Going the Distance, Live Free or Die Hard, the Mac in Apple Computer commercials), Murderfist (NYC's fearless heavy metal version of a sketch troupe; winner of the 2010 ECNY Award), Nick Turner (Jimmy Fallon; co-host of Too Cool For School and If You Build It), and more performing at Ella (9 Avenue A) hosted by Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1): Sweet

9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Giulia Rozzi (Jimmy Kimmel, MTV, VH1, Playgirl Magazine, co-host of Dive comedy and Stripped Stories), Jackie Monahan (Dykes on Mics, Hot Gay Comics, LOL Tour), Ken Shultz, and Josh Rosen performing stand-up at Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) hosted by twins Adam & Todd Stone, who for this weekly show leave behind their trademark suits: Jackets Off

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Typically terrific NYC stand-ups (not yet announced, but you can check for an update here) performing at The PIT downstairs lounge hosted by Joe DeRosa (HBO’s Down and Dirty, Comedy Central Presents) and Jared Logan (hilarious angry rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central): Righteous Kill

9:30 pm ($5): Young improvisors at The PIT make up a musical on the spot based on an audience suggestion: The Shady Bunch

[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 ($5):At UCB East, "This show is hosted by two humans named Anthony Atamanuik and John Gemberling. It is a human variety show. It is very funny to humans, but not to robots like me. I am a robot that Tony & Johnny programmed to write their descriptions on the internet. I do not think the show is funny because I am incapable of experiencing humor. I wish I could. Wait a minute...if I can wish, then I can experience hope. Hope...then joy....joy....then humor! I can experience humor! I still don't think Tony & Johnny are funny, though." Anyway, this week's organic guests are Matt McCarthy (HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm and Bored to Death, host of AMC's Action Pack, Comedy Central, hilarious shorts with Pete Holmes for Front Page Films, national TV ads as Verizon FIOS guy, feature film The Other Guys, host of Marking Out), Mike Lawrence (nerd persona but razor-sharp mind has made this stand-up a rapidly rising star; Comedy Central's John Oliver's NY Stand-Up), and Nimesh Patel (co-host of The Broken Comedy Show): The Tony and Johnny Show

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

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

[FREE] 11:30 pm: Open-mic stand-up at UCB East hosted by Boris Khaykin, John Trowbridge, and/or Katie East: Tuesday Night Open Mic

NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 1/11/12

Harrison Greenbaum performs a unique mix of stand-up and magic at the debut of What Just Happened?;
Kurt Braunohler tapes an episode of what might become a fun comedy game show on IFC: Pointless

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

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

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up providing four minutes per comic, with "15 people chosen randomly through e-mail, and five walk-ins; and a guaranteed spot to anyone who performs in character as a famous explorer" at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre: Comedic Exploration Club of Long Island City, West

7:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): A fun mix of storytelling and stand-up from Robin Gelfenbien (charming comedic storyteller & singer; VH1, Sirius Satellite Radio, FringeNYC), John Knefel (co-host of John and Molly Get Along), Jason Burke, Neil Thornton, and Meghan O'Keefe performing at Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) with host Selena Coppock: Connotation

7:00 pm-12:30 am ($7 for the entire evening): Magnet house troupes Leviathan, Grappler, The Surge, Horses, Brick, Featherweight, The Wrath, and Chet Watkins performing improv, followed by a free audience interactive show with Grappler at 11:30 pm: The Magnet's Megawatt

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): For this double-bill at UCB East, genius improvisors Gavin Speiller of Death By Roo Roo, Ben Rodgers of The Curfew, and Jonathan Gabrus of The Law Firm) perform as Outlook of the Poet; and then Nicole Byer, Sasheer Zamata, and Keisha Zollar are the fiercely energetic & entertaining all-gal improv troupe Doppelganger

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): This debut at UCB Chelsea is a unique treat: a show by stand-up veteran Harrison Greenbaum that mixes comedy and bona fide stage magic. While Harrison makes his living from comedy, magic is his other passion, and it's always nice to see someone sharp combine his two loves for an audience's enjoyment. Harrison's told me he's had top magicians critique his magic for this show, so hope for something quite special at Harrison Greenbaum: What Just Happened?

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC treasure Kurt Braunohler is the producer and host of this comedic "anti-game-show" game show aimed at becoming a TV series. It involves three comedic contestants being asked ridiculous questions so they can provide even more ridiculous answers. The winner, judged by Kurt, is then awarded points—which are meaningless, because no one ultimately wins and there are no prizes. Being taped at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre, it's Pointless Live

[FREE—plus FREE PIZZA for first 30 people, from Artichoke Pizza!] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Kendra Cunningham, Gabe Pacheco, Neil Constantine, and Brendan Fitzgibbons performing at the East Village's Beauty Bar for Negin Farsad's & Amy Albert's free weekly show Comedy School Dropout

[FREE] 8:30 pm: NYC stand-ups James Oakes, Tom Steffen, Troy Alan, Kate Wolff, Adam Chisnall, Justin Murray, and Jeff Maurer performing at the only notable weekly comedy show I know of taking place in Astoria Queens—specifically, the Astoria Brewhouse (2850 31st Street) produced by Jesse Jones: Brewhouse Comedy

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): At UCB East, Neil Casey & Anthony Atamanuik, both genius members of Death by Roo Roo, perform the jaw-dropping feat of making up an entire feature film as The Two-Man Movie

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): At UCB Chelsea, first up is a sketch play about the opening of a trendy restaurant that serves nothing but pig (including "bacon-infused martinis"), written with wit and bite by Leila Cohan-Miccio (Stone Cold Fox), directed with style by Caitlin Bitzegaio (MTV, PBS, ESPN), and performed superbly by comedic actress Lauren Conlin Adams (keep an eye out for her playing Aurora, a hot and hilariously bubble-headed waitress): Pig: A Restaurant ...

...and in the other half of this UCB Chelsea double-bill, enormously likable ace improvisor & sketch performer Doug Moe (Conan O'Brien, 30 Rock, Rescue Me, renowned improv troupe Mother) takes a stab at doing a solo show. The writing doesn't achieve the potential of the subject, but it's always a pleasure to see Doug on stage, as well as enjoy video clips of his little angel of a 5-year-old daughter: Doug Moe is a Bad Dad

[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] 11:00 pm: As many as a dozen guests packed into 75 minutes performing stand-up, improv, sketch, and occasionally acts that defy categorization. The level of talent can vary wildly, but for some (like me), that's part of the laid-back fun; and this is often one of the most amazing comedy shows in town. Tonight's scheduled lineup includes Jena Friedman (staff writer for David Letterman), Brandon Gulya (Stone Cold Fox, Sandino, This is Not a Sketch Show), and David Cope (co-host of Hot Soup); 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: 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

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

NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 1/12/12

Robert Mankoff, the Cartoon Editor of The New Yorker, is among the guests at Employee of the Month;
and directly following at UCB Chelsea is hilarious virtuoso nonverbal storyteller Billy the Mime

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

6:30 pm ($5): Two shows about which I know nothing audition for a regular spot on the prestigious UCB Chelsea schedule: Hobby & Grill: Tying the Knot and Cool Future: The 2012 World's Fair. These might be great or awful; but at $2.50 per show, you can't go far wrong either way. That's part of the fun of Spank

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Nate Smith (30 Rock) is tonight's guest at this weekly open mic storytelling show, with each performer given a whopping eight minutes to captivate & impress, at UCB East hosted by John Flynn: Oh, Hey Guys!

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

[FREE] 6:30 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): "If you were alive in the 70's, you may have attended some 'Key Parties' where you were randomly paired with someone to go home with and engage in free spirited coitus. (Today we either stay at home alone or congregate at an improv theater.) Key Party combines the 70's arrangement with modern anxiety, exploring the rich moments leading up to that act of coupling and the fallout that follows" at UCB East with stellar comics Jordan Klepper, Laura Grey (delightful old-time radio style theatrical podcast Horrorgasm), and guest improvisors: Key Party; plus in the second half of this double-bill, improv based on the iPods, CDs, and mp3 players provided by audience members, executed by superb performers Fran Gillespie, Ryan Karels, Megan Neuringer, Jesse Falcon, Silvija Ozols, Doug Moe, Lou Perez, Sue Galloway, and Emily Axford: Soundtrack USA

7:30 pm-MIdnight ($7 for the entire evening): The Magnet co-owner helming The Armando Diaz Experience, plus house troupes Phooka, Junior Varsity, The Boss, and Hello Laser performing improv, followed by improv competition Inspirado (like UCBT's Cage Match, but with a game-like challenge component) with Featherweight and last week's winner competing at 11:00 pm: The Magnet's Night Out

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Catie Lazarus hosts a show at UCB Chelsea about what it's like to have a dreamy job, with tonight's guests Robert Mankoff (Cartoon Editor of The New Yorker), Caroline Rhea (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Caroline Rhea Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Comedy Central), Ashrita Furman (most entries in The Guinness Book of World Records), and Rob Lathan (Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, ABC, Stinson's Awesome Movie Night), plus and musical guests Chris Sullivan (a.k.a., Shockwave; amazing human boombox; The Daily Show, The Electric Company, Freestyle Love Supreme, co-host of The BEATdown) and Arthur Lewis: Employee of the Month

8:00 pm ($5): Two singing improv troupes, Hot Diner and THEM, make up entire musicals on the spot in this double-bill at The PIT upstairs theatre for the most on-the-nose show title tonight: Improvised Musical

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Calise Hawkins (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), Julieanne Smolinski (GQ, New York Magazine), and Max Silvestri (co-host of Big Terrific) performing at UCB East with best bud hosts Noah Garfinkel & Joe Mande (author of Look At This F*cking Hipster) at Totally J/K

9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Eddie Brill (over 15 years as booker & warmup for David Letterman; FX's Louie), Marianne Schaberg, Sabrina Jalees, and more performing at Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) for a weekly comedy show with hosts Dan Wllber & Sean Crespo and producer Carol Hartsell: Lasers in the Jungle

[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

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): A spectacular and unforgettable demonstration of the artful power of mime when combined with a wickedly sharp modern sensibility, executed with great wit and style. Street performers have given mime a bad rep; but if you think about it, what mime does is boil a situation down to its essential elements, and then express those elements in a manner that's instantly and universally understood. That's really what art is all about; and that's also what Billy the Mime does, often brilliantly. (For my review of his FringeNYC show in 2006, please click here.): Billy the Mime

9:30 pm ($5): Improvisors (not announced) make up one-act plays on the spot at The PIT downstairs lounge, produced by Dan Hodapp & Micah Sherman: The Scene

[FREE] 10:00 pm: NYC stand-ups (lineup not announced) performing at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City, hosted by Justin Williams: Death Comedy Jam

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): An all-star clash between Outlook of the Poet and The Curfew as these improv troupes compete for audience laughs and votes at UCB Chelsea for the raucous Cage Match

[FREE] 11:00 pm: Weekly open mic stand-up show, with each comic given five minutes, at UCB East hosted by Rob Stern & Amber Nelson: Gutbucket

NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 1/13/12

One of the finest sketch troupes in the country, Stone Cold Fox, debuts its all-new interactive epic Crisistown!...

Brilliant & gorgeous Leslie Goshko celebrates the 3rd anniversary of her way fun storytelling event Sideshow Goshko,
and Rob Lathan will attempt to make you laugh via his numerous oddball characters at Rob Lathan's Talent Show

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

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

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 7:00 pm: Leslie Goshko (delightful storyteller/stand-up; Sirius XM, Manhattan Monologue champion) hosts the 3 Year Anniversary of this monthly storytelling show at the KGB Bar (85 East 4th Street, off Second Avenue), with tonight's blowout lineup Elna Baker (genius storyteller, and bestselling author of the comedic book The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance; writer for Glamour, Elle; NPR's This American Life; co-host of red-hot The Talent Show), Sara Benincasa (NBC's Today Show, The Joy Behar Show, CNN, MTV, The Sarah Palin Vlogs, Sex and Other Human Activities podcast, host of Family Hour, upcoming book Agorafabulous), and Peter Aguero (Conan O'Brien, Moth GrandSlam Champion, The BTK Band), plus accordion playing by Dr. Michelle-Leona Godin: Sideshow Goshko

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($7): Ace Magnet improvisors who are married—who sometimes include improv genius as Ed Herbstman, plus Matt Fisher, Matt Evans, Christine Walters, Maggie Kemper, Robert Cuthill, Ryan Rodgers, Christian Paluck, and/or Michele Laikowski: The Mamas and the Papas

7:00 pm ($5): At this PIT double-bill, award-winning improv duo Lucas Kavner and Bradford Jordan make stuff up with "a celebrity guest improvisor' at Swords, while all-gal improvisors Alexis Saarela, Brigid Boyle, Elizabeth Findlay, and Ashley Ward perform as troupe Taco Supreme

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): One of the best comedy groups in the country—and the only sketch troupe (vs. improv troupe) to ever be honored with an ongoing spot on the prestigious UCBT weekend schedule—tonight debuts an all-new show at UCB Chelsea that's "a scripted interactive comedy show that puts you, the audience, in charge. You get to vote on what happens next. And you get to decide how it will end. All we know for certain is that there’s a crisis. And it’s pretty big:" Stone Cold Fox: Crisistown—A Choose Your Own Adventure Comedy

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): Sharp improvisors at UCB East making up a musical on the spot: Diamond Lion

[FREE] 8:00 pm: James Adomian (hilarious, super-charged character comic/impressionist; finalist on most recent Last Comic Standing; Harold and Kumar 2), Nick Turner (Jimmy Fallon; co-host of Too Cool For School and If You Build It), Kenny Zimlinghaus (Sirius Radio host), and more perform at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Arena Stand-Up Showcase

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Nikki Glaser (Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, podcast You Had to Be There), Erik Bergstrom (cartoonist/author of Grimmer Tales, The New Yorker), Koretta Gray, and John Moses performing stand-up at Brooklyn's Postmark Cafe (326 6th Street) hosted by Abbi Crutchfield & Luke: The Living Room

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

8:00 pm ($5): Improvisors perform as duos at The PIT downstairs lounge: Couples' Retreat

[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] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 pm & 11:00 pm (FREE TICKETS if you reserve in advance by calling (212) 260-2445 and mention HyReviews.com, but there's still a 2-drink min. per person): 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.), Mike Yard (Comedy Central), Aaron Berg, and more performing at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Rob Lathan (Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, ABC, Stinson's Awesome Movie Night) performs a myriad of his sketch and stand-up characters—most of whom are likely to be very funny—at UCB East for the world premiere for Rob Lathan's Talent Show

...plus in the other half of this double-bill, Ray Munoz tells true stories about growing up in NYC and having a run-in with the law at Off the Cuff

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from UCB Chelsea's all-star members of The Stepfathers

10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors at The Magnet using an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: An all-musical comedy night (lineup TBA, but it's usually stellar) performing at The Creek's upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Ben Lerman and Tim Dimond: Now That's What I Call Musical Comedy

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

10:30 pm ($5): NYC comics (not announced) performing at UCB East hosted by Emily Axford, D'Arcy Carden, Alden Ford, Brandon Scott Jones, and/or Justin Tyler: Gentrify

[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, sketch/improv duo Klepper & Grey): The Friday Night Sh*w

[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups do sets "and then have a discussion about what’s going on in the world and the mysteries of life" at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City, hosted by Chris Laker: The Show

[FREE] Midnight: This show 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. Hosted by Maude troupe Onassis: Liquid Courage

NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 1/14/12

A small army of comics will entertain audiences for 8+ hours at a comedy marathon hosted by Queens LIC's The Creek

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

[FREE] 4:00 pm: An unusually early weekly open mic stand-up show at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by RG Daniels & Jared Fried: It Starts at 4

[FREE] 5:00 pm-1:30 am: A marathon featuring 30-60 minutes from almost every major show playing at at The Creek in Queens' Long Island City. The schedule: 5:00: Corby Haas; 6:00: Dean's List; 7:00: Short Bus; 7:30: We're All Friends Here; 8:00: Underbelly; 8:30: Hey We Live Here; 9:00: Savage Practice; 9:30: Too Cool for School; 10:00: Chest Hair; 10:30: Sex & Other Human Activities; 11:00: Too Late w/ Zach Sims; 11:30: Comics Off The Leash; 12:00: Last Night; 12:30: See You in Hell; 1:00: Midnight Run. That's over eight hours of free comedy...and will feature such sharp NYC comics as Tom Shillue, James Adomian, Rob Cantrell, Jared Logan, Mark Normand, Henry Zebrowski, Sara Benincasa, Molly Knefel, Mike Recine, Joe Pera, Robbie Collier, Amber Nelson, Sean Donnelly, Nick Turner, and Eric Bergstrom. For additional details, please click Creek Starter

6:00 pm ($5): Improv troupes Deleted Scenes, Old Timey Radio Show, and Double Date at The Magnet kicking off your Saturday evening: The Rundown

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): A comedy quiz show full of heavily researched quirky facts in which contestants Connor Ratliff, Nicole Drespel, and more get points if their answers are correct but get more points if their answers are "quite interesting" at UCB East created & hosted by Katey Healy-Wurzburg: The Fascinator

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Joe Bill, Ed Herbstman, Becky Drysdale, Kay Cannon, Christina Gausas, Brandon Gardner, Jed Resnik, and/or other stellar performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and legendary Chicago improv institutions at UCB Chelsea all joyously declaring Let's Have a Ball

7:30 pm ($7): Improv veterans Mark Grenier, Louis Kornfeld, and Charlie Whitcroft at The Magnet making up a play on the spot: Theory of Everything

8:00 pm ($10): Two of the most respected PIT improv troupes performing on this weekly double-bill—and occasionally with comedy giants Kristen Schaal and/or Kurt Braunohler participating: Big Black Car and The Baldwins

[FREE] 8:00 pm: From the producers of The Scene, improvisors at The PIT downstairs lounge make up one-act plays on the spot: Act One

[TOP PICK] 8:30 pm ($10): Ace storytellers Tom Shillue and Ophira Eisenberg, superb stand-ups Mike Lawrence and Victor Varnado, and more performing 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] 9:00 pm ($7): A sharp Magnet musical improv troupe makes up stories with song and dance based on an audience suggestion: Choral Rage

[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 to the Soho Playhouse tonight to see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event: Baby Wants Candy

[TOP PICK] 11:00 ($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 won last year's ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group, tonight joined by guest sketch duo Rue Brutalia: Murderfist: Late and Dirty

[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): Ben Rodgers, Charlie Todd, Jim Santangeli, and/or other stellar improvisors at UCB Chelsea interview an audience member about where he or she grew up and then create an entire show based on the mini-bio: The Curfew: Not From Around Here

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

10:30 pm ($10): UCBT Harold Night improv troupe Airwolf makes stuff up at UCB East: Airwolf: Let's Go Back to Your Place

Midnight ($5): Caitlin Tegart directed this UCB Chelsea sketch show that's "a super-positive lifestyle program for teenage girls hosted by two guys with a huge passion for glossy pop music, Lisa Frank school supplies, and all that the world presents as 'hip' to young women during the melodramatic years of adolescence. With help from their outstanding panel of experts, Dan Chamberlain & Jason Flowers rap about entertainment, fashion, boys, and more in an effort to bring empowerment and enlightenment to the teen girl inside all of us:" Cool Show 4 Teen Girlz

[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

NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 1/15/12

James Eason returns from LA to NYC and performs with ace improvisors tonight at Eason & Friends,
while Helen Hong performs one of her last NYC shows before moving to LA at Electro Shock Therapy

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

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

[MEGA-TOP PICK] [$] 4:00 pm ($25 at the box office or $28 online): UK-based Daniel Kitson is one of the sharpest and most respected writer/performers alive. This is a rare opportunity to spend an intimate 90 minutes with a true genius of both stand-up and storytelling. This show is the latter—a carefully constructed, detail-packed theatrical tale of two people and the small, quiet moments that make up their lives. Daniel says it's "about everything and nothing," and that's precisely right. After you see it, you may find it hard to not consider all the small moments lived by any person you pass by...and what the moments of your own life add up to. This one-man show played to packed houses at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and is now running every day except Mondays through January 29th at Brooklyn's St. Ann's Warehouse (29 Jay Street). Read the review from The New York Times, and the grab tickets for It's Always Right Now, Until It's Later

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

[TOP PICK] 6:00 pm ($5): Christine Nangle (writer for Saturday Night Live), Caitlin Bitzegaio (MTV, PBS, ESPN, writer or director of numerous UCBT sketch shows), and Shaun Diston (VH1, Still Mike) participate in "a weekly podcast that assembles a new panel of comedians and weird characters to give funny advice, or at the very least relate to the people's problems with their own stories" at UCB East hosted by Andy Rocco: Here to Help

[FREE] 6:00 pm: "Short-form improv teams battle it out for the most points and a prize. C’mon, admit it! You miss the quick-witted fun and audience involvement of short-form improv. A different short-form team joins Mishmash! each month and struts their stuff for a panel of judges (including one judge chosen from the audience) until a winner emerges. There will be a series of completely improvised scenes, stories and musicals all based on your suggestions. Come ready to shout out suggestions, and even shout at the judges," at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: The Scrimmage

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10) and 9:30 pm [FREE]: UCBwest'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

[FREE] 6:30 pm: Magnet sketch comics performing new material: Ripe Sketch Comedy

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

[FREE] 7:30 pm: Sketch, improv, and more at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City from comedy troupe Froduce

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Veteran improvisor James Eason (Conan O'Brien, NBC's Kidnapped, renowned improv troupe Mother), after a long absence, returns to NYC and tonight performs at The Magnet with his ace improvisor friends, who include Jesse Falcon, Doug Moe, and Magnet owner Alex Marino: James Eason & Friends

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Jeffrey Joseph (Jay Leno, HBO, Comedy Central, FOX), Jay Pharoah (cast member of Saturday Night Live), Danny Lobell (host of Comical Radio), Michelle Wolf (co-host of Fresh), and Gonzalo Cordova performing at RG Daniels' free weekly show at the Three of Cups lounge (83 First Avenue at 5th Street): Sunday Night Stand-Up

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups (not announced) performing at The PIT downstairs lounge for a free weekly show typically hosted by Chris Grace: Cold Soda Comedy

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): 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), Tom Shillue (Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents, 2011 ECNY Award for Best Storyteller), Will Hines (The Stepfathers, Funny or Die), and Yannis Pappas (VH1, Carolines) performing at UCB East hosted by Mark Normand, Matt Ruby, and/or David Cope: Hot Soup

[FREE] 9:00 pm: Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, VHI, documentary Metaphyiscal Graffiti, High Times), Kevin Barnett (College Humor), Danny Lobell, and Tirrell Abraham performing at Brooklyn's Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Avenue) guest-hosted tonight by Victor Varnado: Comedy Night

[FREE] 9:00 pm: Brooke Van Poppelen (brilliant stand-up, writer, and storyteller; trutV, TLC, co-host of Dive Comedy; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here), Danny Solomon (soon moving to LA; for stand-up video about the price of NYC drinks, please click here), Dean Masello, Ryan Conner, and Ashley Brooke Roberts performing in the East Village's Beauty Bar for this free weekly show hosted by Brad Austin, Nate Fridson, and/or Adam Sokol: Comedy at Beauty Bar

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

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Helen Hong (Logo’s Setup Squad, Comedy Central, TLC; one of her last shows before moving to LA), Adam Lehman. and Jason Baker performing at this free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy guest-hosted tonight by the show's founder Adam Sank: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour

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