NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 9/5/11
30 Rock stars Scott Adsit & John Lutz perform improv as super-duo John & Scott
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
[FREE] 7:30 pm: Four improvisers form teams with comics they've never performed with before—and one of tonight's participants is ace storyteller Melanie Hamlett, who's just returned to NYC—at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: The Kaleidoscope
[MEGA-TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-writer/director/producer & cast member of Adult Swim's awesome & Emmy-winning Moral Orel) teaming up with fellow 30 Rock actor John Lutz (who previously spent six years as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live) to form a super-smart and hilarious star improv duo who should not be missed: John & Scott
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:30 pm: Typically stellar comics in a show "where improv and stand-up bleeds in and out of each other. One comedian starts with stand-up. Soon he or she is joined by a second comedian—and the two improvise scenes inspired by the first comic's stand-up. Eventually the first comic leaves and the second comedian performs stand-up. When that set is over, her or she's joined by the first comedian and a third comedian. The three improvise scenes inspired by the second comedian's set. Then comedians one and two exit, and the third comedian performs his/her set until being joined by comedians one, two and a new fourth comedian...and so on. The process continues till we run out of comedians stashed backstage." It's all the brainchild of Nick Vatterott, who hosts this bold & messy new format at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Klusterphuk
9:30 pm ($5): A UCBT sketch show by Leah Gotcsik & Marty Johnson: Somebody's in the Doghouse; and in the other half of this double-bill, the appealing Veronica Osorio makes her first attempt to fly solo by performing as five gals who win a chance to be The First Woman on the Moon
[FREE] 9:30 pm: NYC stand-ups Justy Dodge, Garry Hannon, Angry Bob, Sharon Spell, Richard James, Josh Carter, Margaret Dodge, and Kelly Fastuca performing at Pat O'Shea's free biweekly Brooklyn showcase at Freddy's Backroom (627 5th Avenue): Ed Sullivan on Acid
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest stand-ups in the world—who tonight haven't yet been announced—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (HBO, Saturday Night Live, Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central) at Whiplash
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 9/6/11
...and Trade Negotiations is the lecture topic at this month's Adult Education
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] 7:00 pm ($5): A one-man show by Justin Peters about—wait for it—condiments. "Mitch 'Packets' Franco has demonstrated condiments at groceries, farmers' markets, superstores, and gas stations in all 50 states; over the course of 25 minutes, he'll give you the inside squeeze on how all your favorite condiments are marketed, shipped, distributed, and sold; how to seduce a checkout girl; how to tell a supermarket by its odor; and other lessons learned during his wild life in America's grocery aisles:" Confessions of a Condiment Hustler
[FREE] 7:00 pm: Open mic for comedy of all types (with sign-up starting at 6:00) at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre hosted by Robert Dean: The Dean's List
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Witty writers offering delightfully wry lectures about this month's topic "Trade Negotiations"—e.g., "Dealing with Authority: How often does a government's punishment fit the crime? One man investigates, by breaking laws in various jurisdictions"—at Brooklyn's Union Hall for Charles Star's comedic show Adult Education
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Christian Finnegan (co-star of TBS' Are We There Yet?; three Comedy Central specials; MSNBC, VH1's Best Week Ever, Chappelle's Show, The Today Show), 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), Rob Paravonian (Comedy Central, VH1; to watch his hit video Pachelbel Rant, which has been viewed by over 9 million people on YouTube, please click here), Amanda Melson, Eric Kirchberger, and Ritch Duncan performing at the Lolita Bar at Liam McEneaney's Tell Your Friends
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Comics creators joining super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture, at The PIT's downstairs lounge: Comic Book Club
8:00 pm to Midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Very Good Kiss, Grandma's Ashes, American Cousin, Airwolf, and Mr. Crime—and at 11:00 pm advanced UCBT students making up movies—all at Harold Night
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm: Dave Hill (one of the most original and hilariously sharp alternative comics in the country; HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, NPR, star of The King of Miami, band Diamondsnake, champion rapper; The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Dave Hill Explosion), Joe Pera, Audrey Crabtree & Gabriela Muńoz (US/Mexican clown collaboration), Guys Singin! Live! (YouTube stars), and "a secret special guest" performing at Brooklyn's Public Assembly (70th North 6th Street, by the L subway's Bedford Avenue stop) along with sketches from Moon regulars Camille Harris, Jordan Clifford, Bryan Condon, Stephanie Fagan, Tim Skinner, and Brendan Walsh, and hosts Nat Towsen & Bob Walles: The Moon Show
8:30 pm ($5): In this double-bill, each of two of The Magnet's singing improv troupes will make up a musical on the spot based on an audience suggestion: Avocado and Aqua
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer set on Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), Big Jay Oakerson (HBO, Comedy Central), Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, VHI, High Times), and Nico Santo (visiting from San Francisco) performing at the PIT downstairs lounge hosted by Joe DeRosa (HBO’s Down and Dirty, Comedy Central Presents) and Jared Logan (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central): Righteous Kill
[FREE] 9:30 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] 10:15 pm: In this free show, audience members can join in with veteran musical improv talents to make up stories in song on the spot: Musical Magnet Mixer
[FREE] 11:00 pm: A breathtaking 40 comics are given 2 minutes each in this rapid-fire open mic stand-up show hosted with wit and energy by Jay Welch: Bring It
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 9/7/11
John Mulaney, Gilbert Gottfried, and Janeane Garofalo are among the stars at the Seventh Anniversary Edition of Sweet...
...while rising star Brooke Van Poppelen headlines—at a bargain price—at the Carolines Comedy Club
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
8:00 pm ($5): Remember how your father totally screwed you up? Imagine if you were brought up by Doug Moe: Doug Moe is a Bad Dad; and in the other half of this double-bill, the superb Ryan Karels (Conan O'Brien, Krompf) performs a sketch show titled Radio Rogue
8:00 pm ($8 at the door, $6.84 online with discount code Supermango): Godfrey (Comedy Central Presents, Louie), Dan Soder (Comedy Central), Colin Jost (writer for Saturday Night Live), Jamie Greenberg, and "a secret guest" performing at the Bowery Poetry Club (308 Bowery, off Bleecker Street) with host Dan Allen: Sacapuntas!
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer set on Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), Ben Kronberg (Carson Daly), Anna Drezen, and John F. O’Donnell performing in a Brooklyn bowling alley (no, seriously) called The Gutter (200 North 14th Street) hosted by Aaron Glaser & Lee Rubenstein: Get Loose
8:00 pm, 9:00 pm, and 10:00 pm ($7): Magnet house troupes performing improv, followed by a free show at 11:30 pm: The Magnet's Megawatt
8:00 pm ($5—which includes a free drink!): Typically terrific NYC stand-ups (not announced this week) performing at The Creek in Queens' Long Island City with host Nick Turner: Monsters
[TOP PICK] 8:30 pm ($10 in advance online, $15 at the door): TV & movie star Janeane Garofalo, TV & movie star Gilbert Gottfried, John Mulaney (one of the finest stand-ups in the country; writer/performer for Saturday Night Live; Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central Presents, VH1's Best Week Ever; for John's great bit on Weekend Update, please click here), Jon Glaser (creator/star of Adult Swim's Delocated), and more "special guests" who cannot be named, plus music from Angela McClusky (opened for R.E.M. on tour), performing at Webster Hall's Marlin Room (125 East 11th Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenues) for the Seventh Anniversary of Seth Herzog's Sweet
[FREE] 8:30 pm: Open mic stand-up (with sign-up starting at 8:00) at Brooklyn's Belleville (330 5th Street) hosted by Josh Guarino: The Belleville Mic
[FREE] 9:00ish pm: Mindy Raf (brilliant comedic singer/songwriter), Scott Bateman (witty comedic animator; Disalmanac, Batemanimation), Pat O'Shea (VH1, NPR, host of Ed Sullivan on Acid), Joel Stice, and Michele Carlo (Moth storyteller) performing at this free weekly show at the Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) hosted by Sharon Spell: Shrink
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:30 pm (just a $5 cover if you call 212.757.4100 for a reservation and mention Brooke's name, plus 2-drink min.) Brooke Van Poppelen is a brilliant stand-up, writer, and storyteller who's performed on TLC, is a blogger for trutV, and is co-host of Dive Comedy. For stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here; and then come see this wonderful rising star headlining for one night only at the Carolines Comedy Club: Brooke Van Poppelen
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): "Thin Skin Jonny. They had it all. They were icons, legends, anti-folk superstars. However, tragedy struck and they broke up, citing an alleged statutory charge, gay porn addiction, and Four Loko abuse. Now, two months later, they're back to do one last show—a benefit! Can they find a way to get along long enough to raise the money needed to re-animate the corpse of Bea Arthur? Maybe, with your help!" Performers include Ari Scott, with direction from Pam Murphy: Thin Skin Jonny: Farewell Reunion Tour
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: A finalist on the last season of Last Comic Standing, and a superb impressionist, headlining at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City with opener Dan St. Germain (quick-witted rising star; Jimmy Fallon, MTV, VH1): James Adomian Live
[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. Come support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises, that this uniquely organic rollercoaster of a show 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
NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 9/8/11
Stellar storyteller Adam Wade (Big Heart), SNL jewel Vanessa Bayer (Totally J/K)...
...and your last chance to see Kate McKinnon perform one of the best shows of the year: Kate McKinnon on Ice
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: New weekly open mic storytelling show, with each performer given a whopping eight minutes to captivate & impress, at the new UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, off Avenue A) hosted by John Flynn: Oh, Hey Guys!
[FREE] 6:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up with comics drawing names from a bucket, with 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 show, audience members (signing in at 6:00) can join in with veteran improv talents to make up scenes on the spot: Magnet Mixer
7:00 pm ($5): A one-woman show by Kristen Lucas about "a small town in Oklahoma and all its infamous stereotypes, Including but not limited to Pecos Bill, men with small genital syndrome, and a fat lady stuck on her toilet seat:" Oklahoma! A Tornado Tour Through a Tiny Town
[MEGA-TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): New one-hour show featuring "a compilation of my favorite stories and home videos that I've been working on for the past two years" from storytelling giant Adam Wade (two-time Moth GrandSlam Storytelling Champion (2006 & 2009) and record-breaking 17-time StorySlam Champion; The New York Times Magazine; host of hilarious monthly storytelling extravaganzas Real Tales of College and The Adam Wade show; for Adam's award-winning tale of being an NBC page on Conan O'Brien, please click here) happening every other Thursday at the new UCBT-East (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, off Avenue A): Adam Wade's Big Heart
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($7): A rotating cast of veteran improvisors make up scenes based on the improvised monologues of the co-owner of the Magnet Theatre: The Armando Diaz Experience
[MEGA-TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Sketch comedy genius Kate McKinnon concluding the run of her smash one-woman show, which features "Singing! Dancing! Ice Skating! Hoarders! Conjoined Twins! Temple Grandin!" This inventive, dynamic production is among the very best to grace the UCBT stage this year. (And if you don't want to take my word alone, check out Jane Borden's Time Out New York review.) Kate is the most precious of diamonds in our NYC comedy community; come see why in Kate McKinnon on Ice ...
...and in the other half of this double-bill, a mini-play that pleased the college-age audience I saw it with, but that I wish wasn't written to be so calculating and by-the-numbers (e.g., the ending was dead obvious within the first few minutes)...but is probably worth seeing if only for the genuinely fresh & funny tailor scene: Brad Sacks Gets a Handjob
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: An all-musical comedy night with rock god Dave Hill (one of the most original and hilariously sharp alternative comics in the country; HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, NPR, star of The King of Miami, band Diamondsnake, champion rapper; The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Dave Hill Explosion), rock siren Jessica Delfino (enjoys singing songs about her vagina, as demonstrated by her CD Dirty Folk Rock; created the hilarious and wildly popular YouTube animated short film I Wanna Be Famous; has a cool blog; to get a feel for Jessica's amazing range and talent, please click here), Carolyn Castiglia (Last Comic Standing, VH1; wrote a new song with Ben Lerman just for this show), and Dan Licata performing at The Creek's upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Now That's What I Call Musical Comedy
8:00 pm ($5): In Megan Kellie's one-woman oddity, "a horrible sketch show morphs into a puppet and foam driven romp that borrows prisoners but gives them back." This hit at SketchFest NYC 2011 involves audience participation and a certain amount of improv, so every performance is different. Time Out Chicago called it "an exuberant and exciting piece of experimental theater...it sounds strange and it was:" The Pyramid Shew
[FREE] 9:00ish pm: Typically terrific NYC stand-ups performing on this weekly show at the Kabin Bar and Lounge hosted by Chesley Calloway and comedy genius Sean Patton: Comedy as a Second Language
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Vanessa Bayer (cast member on Saturday Night Live), Eugene Mirman (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents, HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1, Adult Swim; pioneer of NYC downtown comedy), Greg Johnson, and rap group Das Racist performing at at the new UCBT-East (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, off Avenue A) with best bud hosts Noah Garfinkel & Joe Mande (author of Look At This F*cking Hipster) at Totally J/K
9:30 ($5): Three NYC sketch troupes—Dan Hirshon, Lynn Lynn, and "a secret surprise guest"—each performing one of their most popular bits and one of their personal favorites in a sketch revue hosted by Aaron Kheifets: A-Side/B-Side
9:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): NYC stand-ups Jamie Kilstein, Jen Kwok, Jason Good, Allison Castillo, and Matt Koff performing stand-up at Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) for Sean Crespo's & Carol Hartsell's weekly comedy show Lasers in the Jungle
9:30 pm ($5): Improvisors (not announced) make up one-act plays on the spot at The PIT's basement lounger for The Scene
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Improv troupes The Shucks and Tesla compete for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match
11:00 pm ($5): Magnet improv troupes Brick and Double Date compete for audience laughs and votes—yes, like UCBT's Cage Match, but with a game-like challenge component—at Inspirado
[FREE] 11:00 pm: New weekly open mic stand-up show, with each comic given five minutes, at the new UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, off Avenue A) hosted by Rob Stern & Amber Nelson: Gutbucket
NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 9/9/11
UCBT sketch troupe Stone Cold Fox debuts a mini-play about a Brooklyn performance project in This Is Not Art...
...Sean Patton performs at the new UCBeast, and Adira Amram rocks the roof off at Night of the Living
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 downstairs lounge in Queens' Long Island City with hosts Mike Recine and Annie Lederman: The Shinebox
7:00 pm ($7): Sketch comedy from two friends who, by a wild coincidence, have the same name: We're Matt Weir
7:00 pm ($8): 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): UCBT house sketch troupe Stone Cold Fox "invites you to an extremely Important Theater located in an abandoned asbestos factory in Brooklyn's Chicken Plucking District. Project Space is devoted to Art, not entertainment. But we do need money, so we'll be presenting a preview of our upcoming season, complete with many Important Art Scenes, which are definitely not comedy sketches. Comedy sketches are not Art. Please join us for an excruciatingly important night at the theater. And please bring your checkbook" directed by Neil Casey at UCBT: Stone Cold Fox: This Is Not Art
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Superb improvisors—including Fran Gillespie, Mike Still, Craig Rowin, Amber Petty, and Ashley Ward, and tonight's guest Christina Gausas—making up a musical on the spot at the new UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, between Avenues A & B): Diamond Lion
8:00 pm ($10): An improv troupe making up a musical on the spot after a friendly greeting: Hello
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Mike Dobbins (unique stream of consciousness comic), Chesley Calloway (co-host of Comedy as a Second Language), Leah Bonnema, and Josh Rabinowitz performing stand-up at Brooklyn's Postmark Cafe (326 6th Street, between Fourth & Fifth Avenues) at this free biweekly show hosted by Abbi Crutchfield & Luke Thayer: The Living Room
[FREE] 8:00 pm:Three sketch teams compete, with the winner decided by combining audience votes with that of a panel of judges. And while the votes are being tallied, a well-known sketch troupe outside of the competition will perform. Tonight's show is part of a 15-team sketch tournament at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: The Arena Sketch League Semi-Final, Round One
[FREE] 8:00 pm: An open mic show that's first come, first serve (sign-ups start at 7:30 pm), with each comic getting five minutes on stage at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens' Long Island City: Mic and Cheese
[$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A comic's comic who's performed on David Letterman, Jay Leno, HBO, FX's Louie, and three Comedy Central specials headlining tonight through Sunday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Nick DiPaolo
8:30 pm ($7): Sketch comedy interwoven with a live band: Citizen Models
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers
[$] [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): Christian Finnegan (co-star of TBS' Are We There Yet?; three Comedy Central specials; MSNBC, VH1's Best Week Ever, Chappelle's Show, The Today Show), Nate Bargatze, and more performing at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club's A-List
9:00 pm ($10): NYC stand-ups Giulia Rozzi (Jimmy Kimmel, MTV, VH1, Playgirl Magazine, co-host of Dive comedy and Stripped Stories), Greg Johnson (Sirius Radio host), and Brent Sullivan (Comedy Central; for video about crying while reading The Giving Tree, please click here) performing at the new UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, between Avenues A & B), hosted by Caroline Creaghead: Creaghead & Company
[TOP PICK] [$] 9:30 pm ($15): Award-winning sketch troupe that uses song, movement, and clever scenarios to turn familiar situations & rituals on their head (for a video about how boys will be girls, please click here): The Harvard Sailing Team
10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors using an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical
[FREE] 10:00 pm: "Improv comedy that's all like, 'Have you been drinking tonight, sir?' but then is all like, 'Lemme get a sip'" at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Teenage Cop
[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Jon Gabrus, Nate Lang, Craig Rowin, Matt Fisher, Fran Gillespie Sue Galloway, and other superb improvisors make up scenes about an audience member's legal dispute at The Law Firm: Law & Disorder
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($10): Smart, fun sketch comedy in the format of a comedy talk show from host/creator Kurt Braunohler (Comedy Central, IFC, Hot Tub Variety), with tonight's guests Tom Scharpling (The Best Show, WFMU), Lisa Delarios, and musical guest Jeffrey Lewis, plus awesome house band Adira Amram and the Experience: Night of the Living with Kurt Braunohler
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer set on Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), improv/sketch troupe The Beatles (Jim Santangeli, Mike Still, Achilles Stamatelaky, and Dan Klein), sketch troupe Two Fun Men (Arthur Meyer & John Haskell), Morgan Phillips as "first heckler at UCB East," and more performing at the new UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, between Avenues A & B): Gentrify
[TOP PICK] 11:30 pm ($5): One of the finest improvisors alive, Joe Bill (Bassprov, iO, co-founder of the Annoyance Theatre) spearheads a breathtakingly brilliant group of improvisors from Chicago and New York who'll blow the roof off with lightning-quick dark comedy unlike anything else in NYC. Chicago-based Joe visits NYC only once a month; if he's at this performance, upgrade it to "MEGA-TOP PICK." Either way, the other superb players are Jordan Klepper (Klepper & Grey, iO, ), Jodi Lennon (Comedy Central's Exit 57), Ari Voukydis (UCB instructor, VH!'s Best Week Ever), Doug Stoley (Conan O'Brien, UCB), Rick Andrews (Magnet performer), Mark Grenier (Magnet instructor), Jen Sanders (Magnet performer), and Chet Siegel (Magnet performer), all declaring Lights Out, Shirley!
[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups do sets "and then have a discussion about what’s going on in the world and the mysteries of life" at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City, hosted by Chris Laker: The Show
[FREE] Midnight: This show typically isn't much fun for audience members—which is why it hasn't been on the UCBT schedule for a long time—but it's an amazing opportunity if you want to perform sketch for free and with almost zero hurdles on the prestigious UCBT stage. Hosted by Maude troupe Onassis: Liquid Courage
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 9/10/11
TJ Miller tells jokes and sings at UCBeast, Nick DiPaolo headlines at the Gotham Comedy Club...
...and Sean Patton & Adira Amram perform in Brooklyn's Union Hall for Greg Barris' Heart of Darkness
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
[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): Sharp NYC comics tell tales of "the role that got away" in these behind-the-scenes audience of broken dreams at The PIT downstairs lounge, hosted by Jen Kwok: Role Call
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Joe Bill, Ed Herbstman, Becky Drysdale, Kay Cannon, Christina Gausas, and other stellar performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and legendary Chicago improv institutions—at UCBwest all joyously declaring Let's Have a Ball
7:30 pm ($7): Improv veterans Mark Grenier, Louis Kornfeld, and Charlie Whitcroft making up a play on the spot at The Magnet: Theory of Everything
7:30 pm ($10): UCBT Harold Night improv troupe Airwolf makes stuff up at the new UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, between Avenues A & B): Airwolf: Let's Go Back to Your Place
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Julian McCullough (fiercely funny rising star; Comedy Central Presents, MTV, VH1), Leo Allen (former writer for Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central Presents, Conan O'Brien, HBO's Funny or Die, director/co-writer of Comedy Central's Jon Benjamin Has a Van, host of top NYC comedy show Whiplash), Nate Bargatze (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents), Nick Vatterott (Jimmy Fallon), and Rob O'Reilly (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central) performing stand-up at Karma Lounge (51 First Avenue, off 3rd Street) with guest host Adam Mamawala: If You Build It
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Gary Gulman (Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), Kevin McCaffrey (David Letterman, MTV), and Josh Rabinowitz at this "comedy chat show with boundary issues" that has stand-ups perform sets and then be interviewed about their personal lives: at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Matt Ruby & Mark Normand (who says "all these guys were hand-picked because they're funny and have some serious problems; when you read this lineup you're gonna be like "oh yeah, that guy is a mess"): We're All Friends Here
[$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A comic's comic who's performed on David Letterman, Jay Leno, HBO, FX's Louie, and three Comedy Central specials headlining tonight through Sunday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Nick DiPaolo
[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Sean Donnelly, Sharon Spell, Kendra Cunningham, Erik Bergstrom, Danny Lobell, and Ash Louis performing at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens' Long Island City with hosts Liz Simons & Evan Morgenstern: SNC: Hot Blooded
[FREE—plus FREE BEER!] 8:00 pm: A variety show of stand-up, storytelling, and sketch that's not only free, but promises to give each of the first 25 audience members who arrive a free beer! Unfortunately, the lineup hasn't been announced; but if you'd care to take a chance, join hosts Ray Combs Jr., Evan Jacobs, and Aalap Patel at The PIT's downstairs lounge as they provide you a drink On the House
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm doors, show is probably 8:15-8:30 pm ($8 at the door or $10.70 in advance online): Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer set on Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), Adira Amram (fresh, hilarious rising star singer/songwriter; winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Musical Act), Adira's dad & ace musician David Amram, and more performing at Brooklyn's Union Hall for a show hosted by Greg Barris: Heart of Darkness
[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—UCBwest's genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): "This ridiculous music album is TJ's first, last, and latest installment of his trilogy Music: Who Even Cared?. Please join him for standup comedy, and live performance of only two or three of the songs from the album" at the new UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, between Avenues A & B): The Extended Play E.P. Music Album Release Party with TJ Miller
[$] [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): Christian Finnegan (co-star of TBS' Are We There Yet?; three Comedy Central specials; MSNBC, VH1's Best Week Ever, Chappelle's Show, The Today Show), Nate Bargatze (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents), and more performing at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club's A-List
9:00 pm ($7): Two tough guys from the 1930s explaining the ins and outs of Hollywood at improv show Listen Kid!
9:30 pm ($10): "A cabaret of darkly funny songs and topical sketch comedy about culture and politics," following sold out shows at Joe's Pub and now at The PIT: Political Subversities
[TOP PICK] [$] 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
[FREE] 10:00 pm: A sketch show and birthday celebration with a small army of comics participating, taped for posterity, at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Too Late With Zachary Sims
[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($8): NYC's heavy metal version of a sketch troupe, which provides odd, unsettling, and fearless dark comedy—and won last year's ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group—performing this monthly show at The PIT's downstairs lounge: Murderfist
[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Ben Rodgers, Charlie Todd, Jim Santangeli, and other stellar improvisors interview an audience member about where he or she grew up and then create an entire show based on the mini-bio at UCBwest's The Curfew: Not From Around Here
[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($7): A sharp musical improv troupe makes up stories with song and dance based on an audience suggestion at The Magnet's Choral Rage
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Rob Lathan as hilarious hip version of Jeff Foxworthy, Jeff Rubin (College Humor), Lang Fisher (The Onion), Riley Soloner (UCBT improv troupe Mr. Crime), Frank Hejl (Dance Break, UCBT improv troupe Onassis), and Marshall Stratton & Shalyah Elizabeth Evans (Casual Sex Offenders) "celebrate the seedy and urbane life in America; think of us as The Prairie Home Companion, just a little more fucked up" at the new UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, between Avenues A & B): Andy Rocco's Underground Americana
[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): Top improvisors pair up for one night only: Neil Casey (Death By Roo Roo) and Connor Ratliff (Dance Break), Jim Santangeli (The Curfew) and Tim Martin (Airwolf), Silvija Ozols (The Stepfathers) and Aaron Jackson (Sandino), and Fran Gillespie (The Law Firm) and an audience member—plus musical guest Casey Blac and host Don Fanelli, at UCBwest's Couples Skate
[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups in a late-night talk show format at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City hosted by Michael Che: Michael Che's Community Service
[FREE] Midnight: A weekly chance for you to shine, 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 9/11/11
Ted Alexandro and Jared Logan perform stand-up at UCBeast's Hot Soup
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 (for details, please click here) at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Face-Plant Comedy Showcase
[FREE] 6:00 pm: At this monthly show, "three improv teams swap two performers each, pick a long-form style out of a hat, and then perform with their new rosters. There’s no telling what will happen when you come swap with us" at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens' Long Island City: Yankee Swap
[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
7:30 pm ($5): Sketch duo Arthur Meyer & John Haskell perform as Two Fun Men, and are followed by a second show I know nothing about, at UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, between Avenues A & B): Two Fun Men and Off the Cuff
[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 ($7): "Special guests" (I don't know, but am guessing at the level of Janeane Garofalo), plus Greg Johnson (Sirius Radio) and John Wesley Harding performing stand-up at Brooklyn's Union Hall for the return from summer vacation of comedy giant Eugene Mirman's Pretty Good Friends
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Nate Bargatze (Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents), Pete Lee (Comedy Central Presents), Rob O'Reilly (Comedy Central), and Tim Warner performing at RG Daniels' free weekly show at the Three of Cups East Village lounge: Sunday Night Stand-Up
8:00 pm ($5): Sketch troupes Dumkoski and Murder Klown performing their best material at The Magnet: Best of Ripe Sketch Comedy
[$] 8:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A comic's comic who's performed on David Letterman, Jay Leno, HBO, FX's Louie, and three Comedy Central specials headlining tonight through Sunday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Nick DiPaolo
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): 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.), Joe Mande (Comedy Central, VH1; host of Joe Mande Presents at Carolines, co-host of Totally J/K; author of book Look at This F*cking Hipster), and Jared Logan (hilarious angry rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, co-host of Righteous Kill) performing stand-up at UCBeast (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village Theatre at 155 East 3rd Street, between Avenues A & B) hosted by Mark Normand, Matt Ruby, Andy Haynes, and/or David Cope: Hot Soup
9:30 pm ($5): Improvisors team up with poets at The Magnet's Kiss*Punch*Poem
[FREE] 10:00 pm: Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central, VH1, The Liar Show), Margaret Dodge, and Frank Liotti performing stand-up at this gay-themed show at Therapy hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
Copyright © 2011 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
