NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 9/24/07
Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel, and Rob Cantrell
Hosted by Leo Allen (writer for Saturday Night Live 2002-2005; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents, Ed, Sex and the City) and Tony Camin (The Marijuana-logues), with "bartender" Johnny Conroy (fearless, quick-witted, and wonderfully unpredictable).
Tonight's guests are genius comedy stars Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer (Human Giant, Best Week Ever; for more on this razor-sharp duo, please read tonight's Crash Test description by clicking here); Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, CBS's Late Late Show, VH1); and musical guest Mike Viola (That Thing You Do!, lead singer of Candy Butchers).
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Dave Hill has written for The New York Times, Salon, HBO, and the eerie Web site Black Metal Dialogues. He's also written and performed for VH1, Spike TV, The Learning Channel, and the fabulous Smoking Gun TV series.
Last week at his UCBT extravaganza The Dave Hill Explosion, Dave had a memorable surprise when his interview guest, who's a "psychic to the stars" and was supposed to be the centerpiece of the evening, quietly exited the theatre after watching Dave's opening routines (involving tiny explosives, nunchucks, and a frenetic battle with a three-foot-tall ninja...). Once everyone realized that, yes, "the psychic has left the building," Dave had the daunting task of filling about 50 minutes of program with nothing else prepared.
Steven Wright once said, "You know how it is when you lean back too far in your chair and almost fall over backwards, but save yourself at the last second? I feel that way all the time."
Dave's show had a similar vibe, like it might collapse at any moment...and that tension was simply delicious. (And part of the point of seeing great comedy live...)
What saved the day were Dave's quick & witty comedic mind; an audience member providing him with a two-legged dog named Roo to hold as a warm prop (and later another dog who quickly ran backstage and peed—to which Dave commented without missing a beat, "Oh, all us performers do that"); another audience member telling of her plans to buy a pig as a pet; a last-minute appearance by wonderful comedy chameleon Brett Gelman (pretending to be the psychic guest by wearing a goofy wizard hat); and, while the show was in progress, a friend rushing out and bringing a copy of Dave's newest short film (which is not for every taste; but with that warning, Dave's since posted it, so to view The Birthday Party please click here). And so what could have been a catastrophe instead became a very special evening.
The description of Dave's gig tonight at Mo Pitkin's offers no hint of his plans; but whatever they are, expect to be entertained by this superb writer/performer who's always pushing to be fresh, unexpected, and in the moment.
8:30 pm at Mo Pitkin's, 34 Avenue A (between East 2nd & 3rd Streets); tickets are $6
Hosted by Aziz Ansari (one of the best stand-up comics on the planet,
and co-star of the MTV hit comedy series Human Giant).
Aziz once again couldn't make it last week; but he provided in his place two of the most brilliant comics working today...his partners on Human Giant, Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer.
Appearing casual and unplanned, Paul and Rob mostly goofed around with audience members—and evoked frenzied laughter. There are very few performers who can work an audience as well as the Human Giant guys, and last week was a masterful demonstration of their skill—as well as sheer pleasure.
Also notable was Brett Gelman, an extraordinary performer who commits to a broad idea for a character and runs with it, no matter how silly he might appear or how successful the bit turns out. It's in part because of Gelman's sheer bravery on stage that he's one of the most beloved comics at UCBT. On Monday he tried out three characters: Mr. Downtown, who lives and breathes the culture of the East Village; a Jews for Jesus wizard who objects to Paul's and Rob's material (and wears the kitschy hat Brett used later in the week to help out Dave Hill) ; and a schmaltzy stand-up who tells awful pun-based jokes...and doesn't even get them right because he periodically skips over some key detail of the setup. Many of Brett's gags didn't go over; but he also slyly hit us with a seemingly out-of-the-blue remark about a bartender & a neutrino that almost had me fall to the floor with laughter. Even more important, Brett contributed an overall sense of absurdity that made the whole evening feel like a fun party.
The single best observation of the night, however, came from comic Roger Hailes:
President Bush is still defending the war in Iraq.
People air their grievances, and he'll go,
"I think history will prove us right."
It's like walking into someone's home, pissing all over the floor,
and then saying, "This will all make sense after I leave.
Just wait until I'm gone, this will be hilarious..."
Last week's show was hilarious.
There's no telling whether Aziz will appear tonight; but considering Rob and Paul
are guests at UCBT's 8:00 pm Bro'in Out with Leo & Tony, there's reason to hope
at least some of Human Giant will be at Crash Test.
Guests are typically superb comedians trying out new material;
and this is often among the flat-out funniest shows in New York.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 9/25/07
Legendary comics work by Klaus Janson; improv star Andy Secunda
Hosted by Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler and Pete LePage,
who enjoy discussing comic books while getting laughs.
Tonight's industry guest is stellar comics artist Klaus Janson (Batman, Daredevil);
and tonight's funny guests are Christian Finnegan (VH1's Best Week Ever, Comedy Central Presents, The Today Show, host of TVLand's Game Time, former staff writer for Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn) and Andy Secunda (member of genius improv group The Swarm, creator/writer of UPN sitcom Love, Inc.)
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
Rachael Parenta (Oh, Hello) hosts a lineup of female comics.
Tonight's scheduled guests are Margot Leitman (Late Night with Conan O'Brien;
co-host of red-hot NYC live comedy show Stripped Stories; for her fun reel, please click here),
Carolyn Castiglia (VH1),
Abbi Crutchfield (The Living Room),
Jena Friedman (Chicago Underground),
and Tracy Marhal (Coliseum Comedy Club).
8:00 pm at Mo Pitkin's, 34 Avenue A (between East 2nd & 3rd Streets); free
The Harold is longform improv, pioneered by Del Close.
Tonight, five improv troupes—DeCoster, 1985, fwand,
Bastian, and Twelve Thousand Dollars—
each give it a go for 30 minutes, with short breaks
in between, for a total of 3 hours.
Some of the groups are great; some are less so. And this show
is designed more for students of improv than the general public.
But if you're interested, and patient, a mere $5 will buy you
a full evening's education...and some solid laughs.
8:00-11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Tom Shillue, Joe Mande, and Becky Donohue
This new free monthly comedy show in Brooklyn is hosted by Charles Star (Onion News Network). Tonight's lineup includes the great Tom Shillue (Comedy Central Presents, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, storytelling podcasts; for stand-up samples, please click here and here); Joe Mande (co-host with Noah Garfinkel of NYC biweekly live comedy show Totally J/K; for some video samples, please click here and here and here); Becky Donohue (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn); Jesse Popp (Comedy Central's Premium Blend); and some material about chimps from Monkeywire.
8:00 pm at Brooklyn Height's Magnetic Field, 97 Atlantic Avenue (between Hicks & Henry); free
Reggie Watts and Rob Cantrell...
...and Eric Andre and Justin Long
Hosted by the sharp & witty Seth Herzog (VH1's Best Week Ever).
Tonight's fine lineup includes Reggie Watts (scary talented vocalist, beatboxer, musician, and expert improvisor who will likely amaze you; to learn more, please visit ReggieWatts.com); Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, VH1, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, CBS's Late Late Show); Eric Andre (popular comic on the college circuit); and actor Justin Long (superb actor best known for his Macintosh ads and work on the wonderful NBC TV series Ed; and for roles on such major feature films as Galaxy Quest, Dodgeball, and Live Free or Die Hard).
8:30 pm at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street (corner of Stanton Street); tickets are $5
Host Livia Scott as Johnny Depp and an enchanting witch
Pillow Talk with Anthony Moscowitz
Comedy with a sexy slant—hosted by Livia Scott (world-class
sketch group Meat, Late Night with Conan O'Brien) pretending to be
"Anthony Moscowitz," a guy struggling to become a master pick-up artist.
Tonight's lineup hasn't been announced, but this tends to be a fun show.
10:00 pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 9/26/07
The up side of being sick at home is one can reconnect with adored TV shows.
For example, on Tuesday's Late Night with David Letterman a staff writer appeared
to say he'd recently hit 50, and coming up with whacky new ideas has
become really tiresome; and so he wanted to express gratitude to OJ Simpson:
"I'm guessing there's about eight months of material to be mined here.
I haven't been this happy since Dick Cheney shot that old guy in the face.
God bless you, OJ. God bless the Las Vegas Police Department. And God Bless America."
Who could argue with such a heartfelt sentiment?
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include wonderful comics
John Mulaney, Leo Allen, and Brett Gelman at Invite Them Up (9:00 pm);
and one of the very best storytelling shows in New York, The Nights of Our Lives (9:30 pm).
Giulia Rozzi and Matt McCarthy
Free stand-up comedy hosted by the very funny Matthew McCarthy & Jenny Rubin.
Tonight's scheduled guests include Giulia Rozzi (VH1's Best Night Ever podcasts; co-host of monthly NYC red-hot live comedy show Stripped Stories; for a video sample, please click here),
John Knefel, Billy Wood, Joe Randazzo, Mindy Raf...and possibly Leo Allen (who'll be racing from here to also appear tonight at Invite Them Up). To get a feel for the show overall, please click here.
7:30 pm at Mo Pitkin's, 34 Avenue A (between East 2nd & 3rd Streets); free
John Mulaney, Leo Allen, Brett Gelman, and Nikki Glaser
Tonight's guest host is the wonderful & razor-sharp John Mulaney (VH1's Best Week Ever, Late Night with Conan O'Brien; for stand-up samples, please click here and here).
And the terrific lineup includes Leo Allen (writer for Saturday Night Live 2002-2005; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents, Ed, Sex and the City), Brett Gelman (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report; comedic chameleon who's always pushing the envelope with unusual characters; for samples of his unique work with partner Jon Daly, please click here and here, and also check out their new hip-hop parody album Fleetwood Cracked); Brooke Van Poppelen (for a video sample, please click here); and Nikki Glaser (The Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing).
9:00 pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); tickets are $5
This is flat-out one of the best shows in New York.
The format is simple: A bunch of razor-sharp comedic writer/performers tell stories about themselves, revolving around whatever theme has been selected for the evening.
The only rules are that the tales must be true, and must be funny.
The brutal honesty, and jarring bravery, of some the participants can be hair-raising.
What they offer aren't merely jokes, but resonant, humane perspectives on life.
At the same time, there are very few shows, on or off Broadway,
that will make you laugh as consistently and as loud.
Enormous kudos go to host David Martin; and to brilliant storytellers
Anthony Atamanuik, John Flynn, Chris Gethard, Curtis Gwinn,
Anthony King, Margot Leitman, Adam Pally, and the other comedy soldiers
who've bared some of their darkest and funniest secrets on the Nights of Our Lives stage.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
If The Nights of Our Lives is the main course, then School Night is dessert.
Host Justin Purnell provides a mix of guests who perform stand-up, improv, music,
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.
Come support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises,
that this free show makes possible.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 9/27/07
Artistic Director Anthony King has done many brilliant things
with UCBT-NY, but among my favorites is his decision to make
Thursday nights reminiscent of the great "Must See TV" days of NBC
(when Thursdays featured The Cosby Show, Cheers, Seinfeld, Friends, etc.).
Typically, every show on a UCBT Thursday is quite special; and tonight is no exception.
Here are the details:
Peter Gwinn on his way to tonight's show
The Steve Miller Band and Other Annoying Monsters, Or: Oceanquake!
A sketch show in which "children deal with mortality, loaves of bread break out in song,
and a monster drunkenly hits on bridesmaids. And, as the title hints, the
Steve Miller Band is indirectly responsible for several deaths."
Written and performed by The Second City comedy veterans
Deb Downing, Peter Gwinn, Peter Grosz, and Abby Sher.
Peter Grosz and Peter Gwinn are currently writers for The Colbert Report.
Directed by Jason Mantzoukas.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Anthony King, Scott Brown, Paul Scheer, Jackie Clarke, and Jason Mantzoukas
A funny look at the news, with lots of amusing video clips, hosted by Anthony King (UCBT Artistic Director, Reuben Williams) and Scott Brown (writer for Entertainment Weekly, and co-writer with Anthony King of Gutenberg: The Musical).
Tonight's panelists are some of the sharpest and most talented stars to come out of UCBT: Paul Scheer (Human Giant, Best Week Ever, Scheer-McBrayer), Jackie Clarke (Obsessed with Julie and Jackie, Death by Roo Roo, LOGO's The Big Gay Sketch Show), and Jason Mantzoukas (Mother: The Soundtrack, First Date, The Mantzoukas Brothers). And joining them will be Josh Tyrangiel (Managing Editor of Time.com, and previously a music critic for Rolling Stone, Vibe, Entertainment Weekly, and MTV).
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
vs.
Cage Match: Derrick vs. Twelve Thousand Dollars
This delightful show pits two improv teams against each other while creating the
the atmosphere of a professional wrestling arena (and providing such side-shows
as a bout to the death between guys costumed as an alcoholic wolf and TV's Alf...).
Last week was one of the most anticipated Cage Match events of the year, featuring wildly popular groups Derrick and Hot Sauce—both known for their great charisma and star quality—in what was expected to be a very close and exciting contest. This was reflected by the turnout, estimated at 300—the biggest audience in Cage Match history.
The evening began with challenger Hot Sauce: Gil Ozeri (host of E!'s Starveillance), Adam Pally (UCBT's The Nights of Our Lives), and Ben Schwartz (freelance writer for SNL and Late Show with David Letterman). In 2006 these guys were juggernauts, winning a breathtaking 11 matches and the undisputed Champion title for that year.
And they clearly demonstrated their brilliance last Thursday, churning out multiple ideas in seconds, and flitting from scene to scene to scene at breakneck speed. Unfortunately, the pacing simply became too frenetic, with insufficient allowance for ebbs and flows, or for lingering on a concept to build memorable images, characters and stories.
The other problem was that about two-thirds in, the guys effectively declared they'd burned through the first one-word suggestion and started asking for new ones (as if they'd never heard the phrase less is more...). Worse, shortly before their time was up someone provided the suggestion Derrick Comedy; and Hot Sauce's gags about its opponent weren't very witty or large-hearted. As a result Adam, Ben and Gil essentially turned themselves into UCBW "bad guys" just as their clock ran out.
At that point it was really Derrick's match to win or fumble. In previous weeks, the young trio—Dominic Dierkes, Donald Glover, and DC Pierson—have proved themselves to be stars; but just as importantly, genuine champions, not letting pressure or anything else cause them to lose focus.
And sure enough, the same was true last week. DC, Dominic, and Donald are actually continuing to get better and better, as they absorb lessons from each heated session in the Cage.
The final vote broke three records in Cage Match history:
Largest Total Votes for a Single Match: 240
Most Votes for a Team in a Single Match: 170
Largest Average Number of Votes Per Match: 109.3
To spell it out: Derrick won by 170 votes to 100. (A force to be reckoned with...)
And its less-than-entirely-perfect night aside, Hot Sauce continues to be one of the sharpest groups around. Keep an eye out next month for its next hilarious Dirtiest Sketch in NYC show, hosted with comedy genius Jackie Clarke (for details, please click here).
The challenger pitting its skills & nerves against Derrick tonight is UCBT Harold troupe Twelve Thousand Dollars, consisting of Jennifer Bartels, Matt Fisher, Michael Paoli, Aubrey Plaza, Craig Rowin, Chris Schell, Joe Spellman, and Mike Still.
With almost three times as many members, will $12K overwhelm Derrick with sheer numbers?
Will the moneyed group attempt audience bribery to win votes?
And will $12K explain why the only video clips on its Web site are from Bob Barker's The Price is Right?
There's no telling what will happen...which is one of the great pleasures of this extravaganza.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 9/28/07
I recently chatted with a friend about favorite short jokes.
Here's a few of mine, from Steven Wright:
I almost had a psychic girlfriend
but she left me before we met.
If Barbie is so popular,
why do you have to buy her friends?
I spilled spot remover on my dog.
Now he's gone.
More to come...
An improvised therapy session from Paul Downs, Alan Fessenden,
Elana Fishbein, Marcy Jarreau, Leslie Korein, Louis Kornfeld, and Peter McNerney.
This new show is free tonight, presumably in the hopes of hooking audience members to come back and pay week after week after week...just like in real therapy.
7:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
Now That's What I Call Rogue Elephant
Sketch comedy group Rogue Elephant performs its best routines from the past three years.
For a sample, please click here. Cast members are Susannah Becket and Silvija Ozols of Working Girls, and Tim Curcio, Eddie Dunn, Jim Santangeli, Nate Smith, and Gavin Speiller.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Andrea Rosen, Jim Gaffigan (tentative guest), and Nikki Glaser
Hosted by Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy (Cartoon Network's Assy McGee, Home Movies, etc.).
Tonight's superb lineup includes Jim Gaffigan (if his schedule permits; Late Show With David Letterman [11 appearances], Late Night with Conan O'Brien [16 appearances], Comedy Central Presents); Andrea Rosen (Comedy Central's Stella, VH1's All Access, member of terrific all-female comedy group Variety Shac), Chelsea Peretti (Village Voice, Details, Playgirl, Jest, blackpeopleloveus.com, and Rejection Line: 212/479-7990), Jon Daly (half of jarringly inventive comedy team with Brett Gelman; for video samples, please click here and here, and check out their new hip-hop parody album Fleetwood Cracked), and Nikki Glaser (The Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing).
8:00 pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); tickets are $5
"They're all street, all the time." Five women—pictured left to right, Jessica Allen, Bayne Gibby, Stephanie Kasen, Caitlin Miller, and Tara Copeland—who've won the 2004 ECNY award for Best Improv Group, and have repeatedly been a Time Out New York Critic's Pick.
8:30 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Some of the best improv comics in NYC—Michael Delaney, Christina Gausas, Chris Gethard, Bobby Moynihan, Silvija Ozols, and Zach Woods—make stuff up, and make you laugh.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Host Catie Lazarus
Chicks & Giggles—Hell's Angels
Chicks & Giggles has a Tuesday slot at Mo Pitkin's, but has
now expanded to this second weekly show on Fridays.
Tonight's scheduled comediennes are host Catie Lazarus
(The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; former editor of Heeb Magazine;
Jackie Monahan (LOL Tour), Jessie Mae (Laugh Lounge),
Rachel Feinstein (Premium Blend), and Diana Saez (DC Comedy Fest).
10:00 pm at Time Out NY Lounge at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street (off 8th Avenue); $5
Veteran improvisors Scott Glover and John O'Donnell,
accompanied by a rotating cast that might include
such talents as Tara Copeland or Eliza Skinner
—and with Frank Spitznagel on piano—
turn an interview with an audience member
into a musical they make up on the spot.
10:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Stacy Mayer, Laura Dillman, and Jeremiah Murphy
Manhattan Comedy Collective: Character Dogville, with Wine & Cheese Party
If you'd like to experience a gentler, more relaxed, but still quite smart type of improv, visit the Manhattan Comedy Collective run by the wonderful Stacy Mayer (who's quick as lightning, but much funnier). Every Friday features Character Dogville, in which performers play odd characters residing in odd fictional villages. Tonight adds an extra twist by beginning at 10:00 with a wine & cheese party for all audience members (at no extra charge)...and that includes the characters, who will interact with you during the party. Then the show proper begins on stage at 10:30.
10:00 pm at the Sage Theatre, 711 Seventh Avenue, 2nd floor (between 47th and 48th Streets); tickets are $8 online (with no service charge) and $10 at the door
Death by Roo Roo: Your F*cked Up Family
Comedic powerhouses Jackie Clarke, Curtis Gwinn, Brett Gelman, Anthony Atamanuik, Neil Casey, and John Gemberling interview an audience member about family and then act out his or her life story via improv scenes. Scary and funny.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Craigslist: Live and Unauthorized
This scripted show is "a deep look into the not-so-hidden lives of New York's dating scene. Come join us for a hour long trip into the personal ads of the city's single (and sometimes not so single) freaks and geeks, perverts and cohorts, unemployed and paranoid, for a performance you'll want to forget ...but can't!"
Midnight at Mo Pitkin's, 34 Avenue A (between East 2nd & 3rd Streets); tickets are $12
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 9/29/07
A few more favorites from Steven Wright:
Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me.
I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that wasn't so.
I used to work in a fire hydrant factory.
You couldn't park anywhere near the place.
I put instant coffee in a microwave oven
and almost went back in time.
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
performers from 30 Rock, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report in Let's Have a Ball (7:30 pm),
a musical made up on the spot from genius Chicago improv group Baby Wants Candy (10:00 pm),
stellar sketch groups such as Meat and Drop Six in Sketchubator NYC (11:00 pm),
and aggressively eccentric hip-hop parody duo Cracked Out (Midnight).
Please also note the 2007 New York Underground Comedy Festival
is running September 28-October 7. You can get info directly from the
NYUCF site by clicking here; and, rather impressively, listen to the audio
of complete shows from the festival, at no charge, by clicking here.
Some of the sharpest writers and performers in NYC get together for long-form improv fun.
Tonight's scheduled participants are Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-director & cast member of Adult Swims brilliant & Emmy-winning Moral Orel), Kay Cannon (writer for 30 Rock), Becky Drysdale (One Woman in Several Pieces, HBO.com's upcoming Time Traveling Lesbian), Christina Gausas (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Stepfathers, Dorff & Gausas), Peter Gwinn (writer for The Colbert Report), Anthony King (UCBT-NY Artistic Director, Reuben Williams, Gutenberg! The Musical), Laura Krafft (writer for The Colbert Report), Tami Sagher (writer for 30 Rock; writer and producer for Mad TV 2001-2006), and Rob Riggle (correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; Saturday Night Live, Arrested Development, The Office).
7:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Magnet instructors & Second City veterans such as Rachel Hamilton, Ed Herbstman, Abby Sher, and Miriam Tolan, plus stars of Mother: The Soundtrack (see below) Jason Mantzoukas, Tara Copeland, James Eason, Christine Walters, plus occasional special guests (such as superstar Mike Meyers), turn a tiny suggestion into larger-than-life improvised scenes.
7:30 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Jason Mantzoukas leads a vibrant team of improv comics—Scot Armstrong, Tara Copeland, Jon Daly, James Eason, Jesse Falcon, Doug Moe, and Christine Walters—who make up scenes based on CD tracks contributed by the audience. One of UCBT's most beloved shows.
9:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
The Harvard Sailing Team: On the Jitney
The Harvard Sailing Team (which was superb in SketchFest NYC 07)
performs their special brand of fresh, witty, imaginative sketch comedy.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Baby Wants Candy is a Chicago-based troupe that has wowed audiences around the world with their skill at creating a completely improvised hour-long musical. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment; even the song lyrics and the "choreography" are made up on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. For brief scenes from previous shows, please click here.
Note: This current NYC run ends tomorrow night.
10:00 pm at Barrow Street Theatre, 27 Barrow Street (on 7th Avenue, south of Christopher); $20
Reuben Williams: As Seen on TV
Anthony King demonstrates that in addition to running UCBT-NY brilliantly, he's a formidable improv performer. Joining him are stellar talents Lennon Parham (see my review of her Showgirls parody), Chris Kula, Charlie Sanders, Eric Scott, Kate Spencer, Charlie Todd, and Joe Wengert.
10:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Meat, Drop Six, and Two Girls for Five Bucks
In this monthly show, each of a bunch of sketch groups performs
one of its favorite sketches. Tonight's superb troupes are
Meat (Elizabeth Ellis. Reggan Holland, Becky Poole, and Livia Scott),
Drop Six (Tim Girrbach, Marcus Bonnée, Rodney Umble, and Alicia Levy),
Two Girls For Five Bucks (Cathleen Carr and Daiva Deupree ),
Bare Hand Wolf Chokers Association, FreeLoveForum,
Gay Christ Figures in Cinema, and Slightly Known People.
11:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Brett Gelman and Jon Daly, who are beloved performers at UCBT,
deliver their parody of a hip-hip group. Wildly oddball, and not for every taste,
but check out some samples by clicking here and here and here
and see whether their tunes strike a chord.
Also visit the duo's Cracked Out Web site, where you can
buy their new album Fleetwood Cracked.
12:00 midnight at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 9/30/07
More favorites from Steven Wright:
I was sad because I had no shoes,
until I met a man who had no feet.
So I said, "Got any shoes you're not using?"
I stayed up all night playing poker with tarot cards.
I got a full house and four people died.
A conscience is what hurts
when all your other parts feel so good.
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
John Mulaney and Leo Allen visiting Eugene Mirman's & Michael Showalter's
Brooklyn comedy party Tearing the Veil of Maya (8:00 pm); and a musical made up
on the spot by genius Chicago-based improv group Baby Wants Candy (9:00 pm).
Please also note the 2007 New York Underground Comedy Festival
is running September 28-October 7. You can get info directly from the
NYUCF site by clicking here; and, rather impressively, listen to the audio
of complete shows from the festival, at no charge, by clicking here.
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre's signature show, which features a monologist telling stories based on audience suggestions and a group of top improvisers (sometimes including stars such as SNL's Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz) creating scenes based on the stories. There are two shows every Sunday which share the same format, but are otherwise entirely different because everything is improvised. The 7:30 pm show is $8; advance tickets might be sold out by the time you read this, but a limited number of seats are available at the door for those who arrive early enough to nab 'em. The 9:30 show is free, with tickets distributed outside the theatre at 8:15 pm; but again, you may need to come early and wait on line to ensure getting into this first come, first served performance.
7:30 pm & 9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue)
John Mulaney, Leo Allen, Michael Showalter, and Eugene Mirman
If you live in Brooklyn, or simply don't mind going a few subway stops
beyond Manhattan, some of the best comedy minds in New York can be found
at this weekly show hosted by Eugene Mirman (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's
Premium Blend and Jump Cuts, HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1,
The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman and En Garde, Society! comedy albums)
and Michael Showalter (MTV's The State, Stella comedy troupe,
co-writer & co-star of comedy feature film Wet Hot American Summer).
Tonight's stellar scheduled guests are John Mulaney (VH1's Best Week Ever,
Late Night with Conan O'Brien; for stand-up samples, please click here and here)
and Leo Allen (writer for Saturday Night Live 2002-2005; Late Night
with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents, Ed, Sex and the City).
8:00 pm at Union Hall, 702 Union Street at 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn; tickets are $7
Take the R train to Union Street and walk 1 block east; or take
the F train to 4th Avenue, walk north on 4th Avenue and turn right on Union Street, and go 1 block up;
or take the 2/3/4/5/Q train to Atlantic Avenue, walk south on 5th Avenue, and make a left on Union Street.
Pete Holmes
Norman Baker & Caroline Waxler (VH1's Best Week Ever) host this free monthly comedy show.
Tonight's guests are the brilliantly funny Pete Holmes (VH1's Best Week Ever,
Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Motherload; writer for CollegeHumor.com;
cartoonist for mags ranging from The New Yorker to Cosmo Girl;
host of UCBT's monthly open mic stand-up show Gutbucket),
Jamie Kilstein (2007 Montreal Just for Laughs Festival; has opened
for Lewis Black, Dave Chappelle, Dave Attel, and Marc Maron),
Jen Gambino (Associate Producer of VH1's Best Week Ever),
and Matt Obert (Chappelle Show, member of improv troupe Big Black Car).
8:00 pm at Paris Commune Restaurant, 99 Bank Street (at Greenwich Street); free
A showcase for talented improvisation twosomes.
Tonight's four duos are Chelsea Clark & Marcy Jarreau, Garret Palm & Ian Caruth,
Corey Grimes & Charlie Whitcroft, and Sam Fortenbraugh & Joe Morgan.
8:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Baby Wants Candy is a Chicago-based troupe that has wowed audiences around the world with their skill at creating a completely improvised hour-long musical. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment; even the song lyrics and the "choreography" are made up on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. For brief scenes from previous shows, please click here.
Please Note: This is the final night of BWC's current NYC run. You can get tickets at $12 each (discounted from $20) by providing code BCDSC22 at the door or via email reservations.
9:00 pm at Barrow Street Theatre, 27 Barrow Street (on 7th Avenue, south of Christopher);
tickets are normally $20, but $12 with discount code BCDSC22
If you're looking for a good time, this might not be it.
But if you're interested in getting on the Mo Pitkin's stage and
performing stand-up—or any other kind of act—a mere $4 will buy you
a chance at being selected via the show's lottery system. The rules are:
Sign-up is at 9:00 pm sharp.
You get eight minutes maximum for your act.
You can do anything you'd like on stage, with two exceptions:
1. Don't damage the stage or equipment (respect the space).
2. Don't pick out people in the audience, even just to say something nice (respect the audience).
No online reservations available; simply pay at the door.
Again, this show isn't for everyone.
But if you're a performer, you've probably risked
a lot more that $4 to nab an NYC stage credit...
9:00 pm at Mo Pitkin's, 34 Avenue A (between East 2nd & 3rd Streets); tickets are $4
Alternatively, consider seeing a funny and/or musical
Broadway, off-Broadway, or off-off-Broadway show.
To learn how theatre tickets can be purchased for around 50% off—
or, in some cases, for as little as $3 each—
please read Hy on Theatre Discounts.
Return to Previous NYC Comedy Picks
Copyright © 2007 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
