NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 3/3/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
TV mini-shows (no longer than 5 minutes each) that live or die by audience votes at Channel101:NY (7:00 pm),
samplings of some of the best performers & sketch troupes at the renowned Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre,
including Julie & Jackie, Lennon Parham, Thomas Middleditch, and Penny at UCBT's I'm Cool Showcase (8:00 pm),
genius star comics John Oliver, Dave Hill, and more at the free show Tell Your Friends (8:00ish pm),
razor-sharp & lightning-quick comics Pete Holmes and Chelsea Peretti, adorably naughty comedy duo
Gabe Liedman & Jenny Slate, and more at Joe Mande's & Noah Garfinkel's Totally J/K (8:15ish pm),
a change-of-pace evening that showcases Liz Winstead's weekly cast members, including
Baron Vaughn, Jeff Kreisler, Sean Crespo, and Carol Hartsell, at Shoot the Messenger (8:30 pm),
an entirely improvised musical from magical duo Glennis McMurray & Eliza Skinner as I Eat Pandas (9:30 pm),
inventive & hilarious sketch comedy from The Harvard Sailing Team (9:30 pm),
a free show featuring such talents as Will Hines, Walker and Cantrell, Becky Yamamoto, and
Henry Zebrowski joining hilarious sketch comedy troupe A Week of Kindness (10:00 pm),
and two of the funniest & freshest comedy stars around, Kristen Schaal (HBO, MTV) and Heather Lawless
(Comedy Central, MTV2), plus other stellar stand-ups, plus sneak peaks at the second season of
Human Giant, at one of the funniest shows in NYC—which just happens to be free—Cavalcade! (11:00 pm).
Screenings of select films running five minutes or less—most of them funny—crafted in the style of TV pilots. The shorts receiving the most audience votes get to continue with additional episodes, while the others are "canceled." UCBT fans will recognize one of the current success stories: Julie Klausner's & Jackie Clarke's Welcome to Our House, a hilarious parody of a 1987 video by Brenda Dickson, has already moved forward to its fifth episode.
Channel 101: NY (under its previous name, Channel 102) was selected by Time Out New York as one of NYC's 50 Essential Secrets. Why not set your TiVo for The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Medium, and come enjoy fresh comedic TV with a live audience?
7:00 & 8:30 pm at Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street at Stanton; free
Julie Klausner & Jackie Clarke; Amber Petty, Jessie Schupack & Tricia McAlpin of Penny...
...Lennon Parham; and Thomas Middleditch
Some of the most skilled sketch troupes, alternative comics, and improvisors
who perform regularly at UCBT go on stage tonight to show off their stuff
and entice you to come see their full productions. The scheduled talent includes
fresh (in every sense) and razor-sharp comedy duo Julie Klausner & Jackie Clarke,
world-class improvisor and comedic actress Lennon Parham,
acclaimed improvisor and stand-up Thomas Middleditch,
the three delightful gals of sketch troupe Penny, and
Jen & Angie, Blitzkrieg, Lance & Ray, and Devlyn Corrigan.
For more info on any of these performers, please click here and then
use the Google box to search for pages on this site describing their UCBT shows.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
John Oliver and Dave Hill
This free weekly comedy show is produced by Liam McEneaney (VH1's Best Week Ever,
Comedy Central's Premium Blend, former writer for Standup Nation with Greg Giraldo).
Tonight's star comedy guests are
John Oliver (brilliant stand-up comic; delightful & hilarious news correspondent for
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, co-writer/star of The Department for BBC Radio 4;
recently shot his first Comedy Central Presents ½ hour special),
Dave Hill (written for The New York Times, Salon, HBO, and the eerie
Web site Black Metal Dialogues; written and performed for VH1, Spike TV,
The Learning Channel, and the fabulous Smoking Gun TV series; hosts monthly
UCBT extravaganza The Dave Hill Explosion—to learn more, please click here), and
Carla Rhodes (ventriloquist; if John Oliver brings his talking Noam Chomsky doll,
demand that it and Carla's Cecil dummy interact on stage for your amusement...).
8:00ish pm at Lolita Bar, 226 Broome Street (between Allen and Orchard Streets); free
Nearest subway stops are Delancey Street via the F or Delancey-Essex via the J/M/Z.
Amy Beckerman, Gloria Bigelow, Jackie Monahan, and Leah Dubie
Free gay-themed stand-up comedy show featuring the gals above
as regulars/hosts, plus different guest comics every week.
8:00 pm at RubyFruit Bar & Grill, 531 Hudson Street (between West 10th & Charles);
no cover, one item (food or drink) minimum
Hosted by quick-witted best buds Noah Garfinkel and
Joe Mande, this year's ECNY Award winner for Best Emerging Comic.
(For dueling birthday videos, please click here and here; and
for other videos, please click here and here.)
Tonight's stellar guests include
Pete Holmes (brilliant, lightning-fast stand-up; 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),
Chelsea Peretti (exceptionally fresh, smart stand-up comic; member of superb
comedy troupe Variety Shac; writer for Village Voice, Details, Playgirl, Jest,
blackpeopleloveus.com, and Rejection Line: 212/479-7990),
Gabe Liedman & Jenny Slate (adorable and foul-mouthed hosts of NYC live comedy extravaganza The Gabe & Jenny Show; for a hilarious video starring
the very sexy Jenny, please click here),
and sneak peaks at short films from the upcoming 2nd season of MTV comedy hit Human Giant.
8:15ish pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); tickets are $5
Sean Crespo, Baron Vaughn, and Carol Hartsell
Lizz Winstead is co-creator and former head writer of the original The Daily Show; former Executive VP of Air America Radio; and a performer on such shows as Comedy Central Presents and HBO's Women of the Night. (She's also a character; e.g., for a memorable anti-apology after canceling her appearance on the live NYC show Drink at Work, please click here.)
STM usually revolves around Lizz interviewing a celebrity and/or political guest; but tonight, as a fun change of pace, the show will instead be devoted to its cast members via video sketches and live stand-up performances. These fine comics are:
Baron Vaughn (MTV's The Gamekillers, VH1's Awesomely Oversexed and
Best Week Ever; on STM, plays "Davis Miles," who co-hosts with Lizz on fake
news show Wake Up World; for a radio interview, please click here),
Jeff Kreisler (winner of the 2006 Bill Hicks Spirit Award for Thought Provoking Comedy;
writer for Comedy Central's Indecision 2008; nationally syndicated business
humor columnist & video maker for Funny Money, and currently creating the humor book
Get Rich Cheating for Harper Collins; national tour Jeff Kreisler's Comedy Against Evil),
Sean Crespo (comic and prolific filmmaker; for samples, please click here & here & here),
Carol Hartsell (producer of NYC weekly live comedy show Drink at Work), and
Lucas Held (writes popular blog The Most Famous Dolphin).
In addition, there'll be a stand-up set from guest comic Jamie Kilstein (2007 Montreal
Just for Laughs Festival; has opened for Lewis Black, Dave Chappelle, Dave Attel, and Marc Maron).
To get a feel for STM, view a fun interview with cartoonist David Rees by clicking here.
8:30 pm at The Green Room, 45 Bleecker Street (off Lafayette); tickets are $12.50
Nearest subway stop is Bleecker Street on the #6 (which brings you virtually to the door of the theatre)
and Broadway-Lafayette on the F/V/D/B.
Glennis McMurray and Eliza Skinner are simply geniuses
at taking a suggestion from the audience and creating
an entire musical based around it, using only their imaginations,
immense talent, and the aid of their wonderful improv pianist
Frank Spitznagel. Each of these gals is a powerhouse performer;
what they manage to create together tends to be sheer magic.
You don't have to take my word for it, either;
the duo just won this year's ECNY Award for Best Improv Group.
Don't miss any chance to enjoy these comedic wizards at play.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
The Harvard Sailing Team: A Hundred Years of Song and Dance
The Harvard Sailing Team, which just won the ECNY Award for Best Sketch Comedy Group,
performs their special brand of fresh, imaginative comedy
that turns familiar rituals on their head. (For a video about awkward goodbyes
at the end of a party, please click here.) The very talented troupe consists of
Rebecca Brey, Jen Curran, Clayton Early, Faryn Einhorn, Katie Larson,
Adam Lustick, Chris Smith, Billy Scafuri, and Sara Taylor.
This new collection of sketches, titled
A Hundred Years of Song and Dance, covers such topics
as Melissa Etheridge, Duck Tales, and American Gladiators.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
Dan Hopper, Mike Still, and Nate Kushner
Hilarious sketch troupe A Week of Kindness—consisting of Dan Hopper, Nate Kushner, and Mike Still—host this new monthly comedy extravaganza. To understand why these guys richly deserve their own show, please check out their videos on tiny folk The Thumblettes, a gripping science fiction saga, and Purple People Eater implants by clicking here, here, and here. Also consider Mike Still's motto: "When Oprah gives me opportunities, I call them Oprah-tunities.
And life is the greatest Oprah-tunity of all."
Tonight's guests include
Will Hines, Walker and Cantrell, Becky Yamamoto, and Henry Zebrowski.
Why miss this Oprah-tunity to catch this terrific free show?
10:00 pm at Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street at Stanton; free
Concerned citizens, Heather Lawless, and Kristen Schaal
This razor-sharp stand-up extravaganza is no place for the innocent.
However, it's enormous fun.
Tonight's guests include the wonderful
Kristen Schaal (lovely, brilliant, breathtakingly talented writer/actress/comic;
co-star of HBO's Flight of the Conchords; writer for MTV's Human Giant;
co-star of Web video series Penelope: Princess of Pets; co-host of NYC live Hot Tub Variety Show with Kurt Braunohler; winner of numerous comedy awards, including the prestigious 2nd Annual Andy Kaufman Award and the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Female Stand-Up;
to read about Kristen's recent killer set, please click here),
Heather Lawless (winner of the 2005 ECNY Award for Best Female Stand-Up; Comedy Central's Premium Blend, MTV2's Wonder Showzen, 2007 feature film Be Kind Rewind; member of wonderful female comedy group Variety Shac),
Jay Larson (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, CBS' Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson;
for stand-up video about uncomfortable anniversaries, please kick here), and
sneak peaks at short films from the upcoming second season of MTV comedy hit Human Giant.
Tonight's show is likely to be one of the funniest in NYC.
And it's free.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 3/4/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
a unique event that, if you appreciate surreal irony, simply should not be missed:
Brett Gelman, in tight black shorts and tank top, performing his one-man musical 1000 Cats (7:00 pm),
the delightful Sara Schaefer, Becky Donohue, and other sharp female stand-ups
at Carolyn Castiglia's Chicks & Giggles (8:00 pm),
star comic book writer, comics columnist, and New York Times bestselling Star Trek novelist comic Peter David
joining the always-fun explorations of comic books with a comedic slant at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),
and top comics Heather Lawless (Comedy Central, MTV2) and Roger Hailes (Chappelle's Show, VH1, MTV),
plus Christian folk singing parody duo God's Pottery, and more at one of the finest comedy shows
in New York, the fabulous Seth Herzog's Sweet (9:00 pm),
and two of the finest improv teams in the country, C, C + C Improv Factory and Thomas & TJ (11:00 pm).
For details, please click here.
Shayna Ferm is an enormously talented comedic singer/songwriter.
To learn more about the sexy and hilarious Shayna, please click here.
To hear sample tracks from and/or order Shay's debut CD Blonde, please click for her MySpace page.
One of the funniest men on the planet, Todd Barry is a stand-up master.
For a recent interview with Todd, please click here.
To order his new comedy CD From Heaven, please click here.
To purchase tickets to see Todd headline at Comix on March 7-8, please click here.
Brett Gelman Performs 1000 Cats
Perhaps it's an exaggeration to claim you haven't lived until you've seen
Brett Gelman in tight black shorts, a black tank top, and cat ears
performing his one-man musical 1000 Cats.
But then again, perhaps not.
Suffice to say, Brett received a rousing standing ovation
when I saw him do this show a few months ago in the East Village...
and none of us will ever be the same.
Brett Gelman has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Colbert Report,
and performs every Friday night with star improv troupe Death by Roo Roo.
For samples of Brett's mind-blowing work with partner Jon Daly, please click here and here,
and also check out their hip-hop parody album Fleetwood Cracked.
And seriously, if you have any appreciation for the odd,
catch tonight's 1000 Cats.
Also, UCBT: Consider making this a monthly event.
It's got potential for a cult following...
7:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Becky Donohue, Sara Schaefer, and Carolyn Castiglia
The wonderful Carolyn Castiglia (VH1, MTV2, Sirius Satellite Radio,
The Huffington Post) hosts a lineup of talented female stand-up comics.
Tonight's scheduled guests are
Sara Schaefer (delightful, razor-sharp comic; VH1's Best Week Ever,
E! Network's Rise of the Geeks, Union Hall's Name That Tune, UCBT's Video Gaga),
Becky Donohue (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and
Shorties Watchin' Shorties; TLC's Trading Spaces; Fashion Police writer for US Weekly),
M. Dickson (Comix), Asie Mohtarez (Comic Strip Live),
Katie Riffey (DC Improv), and Hadiyah Robinson (BET's Comic View).
8:00 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Hosted by Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler and Pete LePage,
who enjoy discussing comic books while getting laughs.
Tonight's very special guest is beloved comic book writer, novelist, and columnist Peter David.
David's written for numerous comics series, including The Spectacular Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, She-Hulk, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, and Dark Tower. He's also written dozens of books, including many New York Times bestselling Star Trek novels and comics-related novels.
And for the past 14 years, David has been writing a highly popular column for the
Comics Buyers Guide titled But I Digress.
David is a very witty, talented, and prolific writer with a highly impressive body of work.
If you're at all interested in comics, Star Trek, or writing in general, this is
a terrific night to visit the always-fun Comic Book Club.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
The Harold is longform improv, pioneered by Del Close.
Tonight, five improv troupes—
Bastian, DeCoster, Tantrum, 1985, and T.R.U.C.K.S.—
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 periodic solid laughs.
8:00-11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Roger Hailes, Heather Lawless, and Wilson Hall & Krister Johnson as God's Pottery
Hosted by the razor-sharp, dynamic, and hilarious Seth Herzog (VH1's Best Week Ever).
This is one of the finest comedy shows in NYC.
Tonight's superb lineup includes
Heather Lawless (winner of the 2005 ECNY Award for Best Female Stand-Up; Comedy Central's Premium Blend, MTV2's Wonder Showzen, 2007 feature film Be Kind Rewind; member of wonderful female comedy group Variety Shac),
Roger Hailes (exceptionally sharp, personable stand-up; Chappelle's Show, VH1's All Access;
writer for Comedy Central and MTV; for sample videos, please click here and here),
God's Pottery (Wilson Hall & Krister Johnson's delightful parody of a Christian folk singing duo;
recently released their debut Comedy Central album, God's Pottery: Live at Comix), and
Nick Stevens (VH1, ESPN, host of NYC live comedy production The Shark Show).
9:00 pm at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street (corner of Stanton Street); tickets are $5
and
C, C + C Improv Factory and Thomas & TJ
Improv group C, C + C Improv Factory—consisting of Chuck Dauble (Chuck D. & Jawnee Show), Charlie Sanders (Conan O'Brien, Reuben Williams), and Charlie Todd (Improv Everywhere, Reuben Williams)—is the 2008 Champion of Cage Match, beating out some of the most spectacularly skilled improvisors in the country who'd duked it out on stage for the past year.
They were also a standout—amidst over 150 troupes— at July's Del Close Improv Marathon, expertly demonstrating how to keep raising the stakes throughout a long-form improvisation by playing three guys revealing all the lies they've been suppressing while they've hung out together: e.g., one of them admits that despite his frequent television references, he actually never watches TV; then that he's Amish; and finally that he's blind. The exploration of the logical ramifications of each revelation led the audience into hysterical laughter.
Thomas & TJ consists of TV & film star TJ Miller (co-star of ABC's Carpoolers; co-star of recent hit movie Cloverfield; razor-sharp stand-up who's performed on Late Show with David Letterman and Opie & Anthony) and Thomas Middleditch (member of genius musical improv troupe Baby Wants Candy; for cartoon that prompted the comment "wow i think i actually feel my intelligence melting away as i watch this," please click here). The duo were trained at Chicago's acclaimed Second City, and are reportedly amazing.
With two such brilliant teams performing, this show promises to be special and memorable.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 3/5/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
one of the funniest and most fascinating comics alive, Zach Galifianakis, plus brilliant & sexy
comedic singer Adira Amram and SNL's Leo Allen, at Andres du Bouchet Has Been Expecting You (8:00 pm),
some of the finest star comics in the country, including Louis C.K., Dave Attell, Artie Lange, Kevin Meaney,
and Jim Norton at the annual Town Hall charity event The Gerry Red Wilson Benefit (8:00 pm),
the delightful Amber Petty, Jessie Schupack, & Tricia McAlpin of comedy troupe Penny, and real-life ER doctor
Devlyn Corrigan providing an insider's look at NYC hospitals, in White Orphans and This is Gonna Hurt (8:00 pm),
open mic comedy with headliner Becky Donohue at John F. O'Donnell's The Kingdom of Heaven (8:15ish pm),
a wonderful show combining storytelling, alcohol, and improv, with players from 30 Rock,
The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Mad TV, and more: Happy Hour (9:30 pm),
and a laid-back free show where virtually anything can happen on a School Night (11:00).
As Sparks Fly Upward: Stories->Improv->Sketch
This comedy troupe tells stories off the top of their heads, then improvises
scenes based on the tales...which may later turn into scripted sketches.
It's a clever way of crafting a sketch show organically, week by week—and you can
watch the whole process, at no charge. The group consists of Kevin Allison,
Chris Caniglia, Scott Eckert, Sarah Nowak, Nate Starkey, and Shelly Stover.
6:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); free
Zach Galifianakis and Leo Allen...
...and Adira Amram and Andres du Bouchet
Andres du Bouchet Has Been Expecting You
Comedy show playing on the first Wednesday of each month, hosted by
Andres du Bouchet (writer for & performer on FOX's Talkshow with Spike Feresten;
Late Night With Conan O'Brien, Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn, Cheap Seats;
live NYC comedy show Giant Tuesday; comedy videos).
Tonight's thoroughly wonderful guests are
Zach Galifianakis (comedy genius, and one of the giants of the biz;
numerous credits include Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
ABC's Jimmy Kimmel, film & tour Comedians of Comedy, Comedy Central's Dog Bites Man,
Adult Swim's Tom Goes to the Mayor, FOX's Boston Common, Wondershowzen)
Adira Amram (brilliantly funny and sexy writer/singer; Jane Magazine Editors Choice;
co-star of UCBT's Get Psyched!; for sample songs & videos, please click 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, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
This all-star evening at Town Hall features Dave Attell, Louis C.K., Pete Correale, Nick Di Paolo, Greg Fitzsimmons, Artie Lange, Kevin Meaney, and Jim Norton.
Ticket prices range from $46 to $76, with much of the money going to meningitis research.
8:00 pm at Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street (between 6th Avenue & Broadway); $46-$76
Amber Petty, Jessie Schupack & Tricia McAlpin of Penny, and Devlyn Corrigan
Penny: White Orphans and This is Gonna Hurt
This sketch comedy double bill kicks off with troupe Penny,
consisting of the adorable & very funny trio
Amber Petty, Trisha McAlpin, and Jessie Schupack. In tonight's show, the gals
promise to "guide you through their wonderful world of art, music, and laughter.
You'll laugh till you cry, cry till you laugh, and be moved enough that you too
will want a white orphan for your very own." Directed by Susannah Beckett.
The dark comedy then continues with This Is Gonna Hurt: The ER Through a Doctor's Eyes.
This one-man show is written and performed by Devlyn Corrigan, a veteran improvisor,
storyteller (on The Nights of Our Lives), and performer (for a video sample, please click here)
who'll be recreating hair-raising experiences from his "day job" as a doctor
working at some of the busiest ERs and trauma centers in New York City.
Directed by the wonderful Adam Pally (Hot Sauce, Cage Match, The Nights of Our Lives).
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
John F. O'Donnell and Becky Donohue
Free open mic stand-up comedy show in Queens' Long Island City
(just one stop from Manhattan on the #7 train).
Hosted by John F. O'Donnell (Comedy Central's Fresh Faces; for stand-up video, please click here),
a wild man who will make you love him...and who genuinely loves comedy and fellow comics.
If you're looking for stage time, John makes this a very friendly place to perform.
Sign-up for the open mic is at 7:30.
Tonight's guest headliner is Becky Donohue (Comedy Central's Premium Blend,
Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and Shorties Watchin' Shorties; TLC's Trading Spaces;
Fashion Police writer for US Weekly).
8:15ish pm at The Creek and The Cave, 10-93 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, Queens; free
From Manhattan, take the #7 subway to the Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue stop (one stop after Grand Central);
exit on Jackson Avenue and walk one block north to 49th Avenue.
Becky Drysdale, Thomas Middleditch, Miriam Tolan, Tami Sagher...
...and Anthony King, Chris Gethard, and Jason Mantzoukas
This new show is a wonderful blend of storytelling and improv.
A group of stellar comics take an audience suggestion and, while sipping beers, start telling personal tales related to it—with an emphasis on the ribald and ridiculous, just like what you'd want to hear from your friends while hanging out at a bar. Helping enormously with this is Chris Gethard, who's one of the most talented and brilliant storytellers in New York.
The yarn spinning is great fun; but on top of that, when the performers hear a story that especially tickles them, they jump up and instantly create scenes revolving around it. And because these talents are razor-sharp improvisors, the results are hilarious.
The players include
Deb Downing (improv at Second City),
Becky Drysdale (acclaimed one-woman show One Woman in Several Pieces,
Web video series Time Traveling Lesbian),
Chris Gethard (The Stepfathers, The Nights of Our Lives, author of book Weird New York),
Peter Grosz (writer for The Colbert Report; famed for performing numerous Sonic commercials),
Anthony King (UCBT-NY Artistic Director, Reuben Williams, Let's Have a Ball,
Gravid Water, off-Broadway show Gutenberg! The Musical),
Jason Mantzoukas (Mother: The Soundtrack, We Used to Go Out, The Mantzoukas Brothers),
Thomas Middleditch (Second City, Baby Wants Candy; for cartoon that prompted the comment
"wow i think i actually feel my intelligence melting away as i watch this," please click here),
Tami Sagher (writer for 30 Rock; writer and producer for Mad TV 2001-2006), and
Miriam Tolan (sketches on Late Night with Conan O'Brien 1993-1994, correspondent on The Daily Show 2000-2001, acted on The Office as "fake Tina Fey").
At one of its first productions, Becky Drysdale asked audience members to "please spread the word if you liked the show; and if you didn't, well, why are you talking about it?"
No worries, Becky. You're a treasure; and this show is a winner.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Kurt Braunohler, Pat Shay, and Kimmy Gatewood
The Faculty and The Baldwins and Sid Viscous
Some of the PIT's instructors—who include such talents as Ali Farahnakian,
Kurt Braunohler, Ptolemy Slocum, Jen Nails, Pat Shay, Matt Donnelly, Kevin Scott,
Rebekka Johnson, and Kimmy Gatewood—perform improv for around 30 minutes.
And opening for them will be house improv troupes The Baldwins and Sid Viscous.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); free
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 3/6/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
a free show featuring such superb comedians as Rich Vos at the South Sea Seaport (7:00 pm),
one of the funniest and most fascinating comics alive, Zach Galifianakis,
being interviewed by Carl Arnheiter at Inside Joke (8:00 pm),
star stand-up Jim Gaffigan joining the fresh, sexy, and razor-sharp gals of Variety Shac (8:15ish pm),
hilariously raunchy singer/songwriter Jessica Delfino, and popular comics artist & musician
Dame Darcy, launching a new monthly comedy/music party: The Naughty Nautical Night (9:00 pm),
Dan Allen and Ray Devito who, by odd coincidence, are also launching a new show tonight, with stellar
comedy guests Tom Shillue, Andres du Bouchet, Michelle Collins, and Patrick Borelli at ¡Sacapuntas! (9:00 pm),
Jeff Kreisler, winner of the 2006 Bill Hicks Spirit Award and writer for Comedy Central's Indecision 2008,
performing a one-man show about the current political scene in Comedy Against Evil (9:30 pm),
and two highly skilled improv comedy troupes, The Stepfathers and Twelve Thousand Dollars,
battling for audience laughs & votes at Cage Match (11:00 pm).
Free indoor comedy show at the South Street Seaport.
Tonight's festivities are hosted by Bryan Kennedy, with scheduled guests
Rich Vos, Bonnie McFarlane, Mike DeStefano, Greer Barnes, and Brad Trackman.
7:00 pm at the South Street Seaport, 219 Water Street (at Beekman Street) ; free
Zach Galifianakis, and interviewer Carl Arnheiter
Inside Joke: Zach Galifianakis
Host Carl Arnheiter (writer for ABC News, The Discovery Channel,
People Magazine, Time Out New York) interviews Zach Galifianakis,
a comedy genius who's one of the giants of the biz.
Galifianakis' numerous credits include Late Show with David Letterman,
Late Night with Conan O'Brien, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel, film & tour Comedians of Comedy,
Comedy Central's Dog Bites Man, Adult Swim's Tom Goes to the Mayor,
FOX's Boston Common, and Wondershowzen.
This show quickly sold out, but you can still get in if you're
willing to stand. (That's what I'll be doing...)
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Secret Hospital: Blood and Sparkles
Secret Hospital returns tonight with an all-new sketch comedy show.
The troupe consists of Michael Hartney, Patrick Inglis, Rachel Korowitz,
Dan McInerney, and Jeff Scherer (for performer bios, please click here).
And the bits include a doomed middle school couple, the Quarterback Curse,
insanity, blood, and sparkles.
To get a feel for SH, check out its fun video about how you should never shake a baby
by clicking here.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
Adam Newman and Shawn Pearlman
Weekly comedy show hosted by
Adam Newman (CMT's Prankville'd, VH1's Best Week Ever blog, co-host of
monthly NYC live comedy show Street Meat; host of weekly NYC live open mic comedy show
Blowtorch Slaughter; half of musical comedy duo Uber Luber Death Metal) and
Shawn Pearlman ("If you're in a bad neighborhood, blowing a rape whistle
is like ringing a dinner bell;" for stand-up videos, please click here and here).
Tonight's guests haven't been announced, but they're typically
highly talented stand-up comics.
8:00 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Jim Gaffigan; and hosts Heather Lawless, Chelsea Peretti, Andrea Rosen, and Shonali Bhowmik
The hard-to-resist members of this hilarious group are musical host Shonali Bhowmik, and
superbly quirky comics Heather Lawless, Chelsea Peretti, and Andrea Rosen. The show features songs, brilliant stand-up comedy, and funny short films made by the foursome; for samples of the latter, please click here and here.
Tonight's guests are star observational comic Jim Gaffigan (Late Show With David Letterman
[a dozen appearances], Late Night with Conan O'Brien [nearly two dozen appearances],
Comedy Central Presents), and
Brent Weinbach (for stand-up video involving pants, please click here).
8:15ish pm at The Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard Street (between Broadway & Church); $12
Tonight is the premiere of this monthly comedy & music show with a nautical theme,
described as "a cabaret/carnival that turns into a dance party...with something
for everyone's fishy side." The hosts are two phenomenally talented sirens:
Jessica Delfino (brilliantly funny and stunning writer/singer; enjoys singing songs
about her vagina, as demonstrated by her acclaimed CD Dirty Folk Rock;
created the hilarious and wildly popular YouTube animated short film I Wanna Be Famous;
toured the country with the wonderful Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players;
was a big hit at the Edinburgh Festival this summer; has a cool MySpace page, and
an even cooler blog; to get a feel for Jessica's amazing range and talent, please click here), and
Dame Darcy (acclaimed comic book artist whose graphic novels include The Illustrated Jane Eyre, Frightful Fairytales, Gasoline, and Dame Darcy's Meat Cake Compilation;
also rocks in her band Death By Doll).
Scheduled for this debut show are guests Margaret Champagne, Magin Schantz,
Ben Lerman, DJ Kai, The Anchor Panky Band, plus
"mermaid go-go dancers, hot sailor boys and seamen, some great short videos,
a spank-the-pirate-wench booth, ocean-themed rock and roll,
prizes for best ocean-y costumes, crafts, sea monster making,
yummy snacks & sea treats...and midnight dancing till the place shuts down."
9:00 pm at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street (corner of Stanton Street); tickets are $10
By strange coincidence, like The Naughty Nautical Night (directly above),
this is a new comedy show premiering tonight at 9:00 pm.
In this case the hosts are Dan Allen and Ray Devito; and the focus
is on storytelling and sharp stand-up comedy.
The superb guests for this opening night are
Tom Shillue (Comedy Central Presents, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show
with Jon Stewart; storytelling podcasts; host of NYC monthly comedy show Moonwork;
comedy CD Overconfident!; for stand-up samples, please click here and here),
Andres du Bouchet (writer for & performer on FOX's Talkshow with Spike Feresten;
Late Night With Conan O'Brien, Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn, Cheap Seats; comedy videos;
host of monthly NYC live comedy show Andres du Bouchet Has Been Expecting You),
Michelle Collins (VH1's Best Week Ever and All Access, MTV U, YouCantMakeItUp.org; for a memorable chat about the power of penises over vaginas, please click here), and
Patrick Borelli (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's Premium Blend
ESPN's Cheap Seats, Video Power Hour).
9:00 pm at Jimmy's No. 43, 43 East 7th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenue); tickets are $7
Jeff Kreisler's Comedy Against Evil
Jeff Kreisler is a winner of the 2006 Bill Hicks Spirit Award for Thought Provoking Comedy.
He writes for Comedy Central's Indecision 2008, is a nationally syndicated business
humor columnist & video maker for Funny Money, and is currently creating the humor book
Get Rich Cheating for Harper Collins. Tonight's show is part of a national tour.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
vs.
Cage Match: The Stepfathers vs. Twelve Thousand Dollars
This delightful show pits two improv teams against each other while creating 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...).
The Stepfathers consists of some of the sharpest & funniest improv comics
in the country—Michael Delaney, Christina Gausas, Chris Gethard, Will Hines,
Bobby Moynihan, Shannon O'Neill, Silvija Ozols, and Zach Woods.
Some of these folks are comedy geniuses; and they're on stage practicing their craft
in front of rapt audiences every Friday night at 9:30 at UCBT.
The challenger 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.
These are both talented groups, and 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 3/7/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
superb comics Kurt Braunohler, Rob Nathan, Kambri Crews, Ophira Eisenberg, and more
telling funny, and sometimes poignant, stories about their relatives at Sara Benincasa's Family Hour (7:00 pm),
a Christian folk music duo using their songs to make a difference in God's Pottery Saves The World! (8:00 pm),
the return to The PIT stage of an acclaimed improv troupe—Centralia: Uncle! (8:00 pm),
typically stellar stand-up comics at one of the funniest productions in NYC—and winner of
the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Variety Show—The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show (8:30 pm),
some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers (9:30 pm),
singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical (10:00 pm),
one of my all-time favorite improv troupes, the brilliant and daring members of Death by Roo Roo (11:00 pm),
and UCBT's free monthly open mic stand-up show hosted by lightning-quick & hilarious comics
Pete Holmes and TJ Miller at Gutbucket (12:15ish am).
Happy children with "Aunt" Sara Benincasa...
...and Kurt Braunohler, Rob Nathan, and Kambri Crews
A stand-up comedy show in which everyone tells jokes and/or stories related to
their family. Hosted by comic/actress Sara Benincasa (MTV's Choose or Lose Campaign;
host of Tub Talk with Sara B. on Nerve.com; for video sample, please click here).
Tonight's terrific guests include
Kurt Braunohler (master comic and frequent comedy partner of Kristen Schaal;
performs in sketches that are hilariously indescribable;
co-star of Web series Penelope, Princess of Pets, for which
Kurt won the 2008 ECNY Award as Best Director), and
Rob Lathan (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, MTV, VH1; plays comedic characters
such as Lanny Lathan and "Quick Lips" Lathan; performs in the UCBT shows Get Psyched!
and High School Talent Show; for Rob's reel, please click here).
Kambri Crews (luminous performer, stellar publicist & producer, and one of the most sharp, charming, and heartfelt comedic storytellers working in NYC; for Kambri's correspondence with her deaf dad, who's in a Texas prison for trying to stab his wife to death, please visit Web site LoveDaddy.org; for a video of Kambri reading her jailed dad's wedding toast, please click here),
Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central, VH1, E!, US Magazine's Fashion Police),
Danny Leary (host of weekly NYC live comedy show On the Rocks with Danny Leary),
Mo Diggs (contributing writer to TheApiary.com and Dead-Frog.com),
and more.
7:00 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Jeremiah Smallchild and Gideon Lamb are on a mission from God
God's Pottery Saves The World!
While visiting NYC last summer, Gideon Lamb and Jeremiah Smallchild got lost on the subway and ended up in Harlem, where they met a small boy named LaVert Washington who informed them he had cancer. They quickly moved to raise money for the lad with their now-famed The Concert for LaVert. It later turned out the boy was healthy and had lied through his teeth; but the incident made Gideon and Jeremiah appreciate the impact they almost had on his life...and the impact they could have on literally millions of more lives if they saved the entire world. Therefore, the duo have created this new show, in which they tackle global issues such as adoption, drug addiction, and Africa in an effort to rescue all mankind through the power of song, true belief, and a PowerPoint" presentation.
According to their Web site,"God's Pottery is a Christian acoustic duo formed to spread the Word (using) their unique blend of music, people-skills and Biblical know-how to inspire all who are willing to listen with open hearts." Some in the secular world have called them Wilson Hall and
Krister Johnson; others have called them harsher things. But most have called them very funny.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Acclaimed improv troupe Centralia consists of Kevin Scott, Jay Rhoderick, and Matt Higgins (Comedy Central, PSNBC; former improv instructor at Yale School of Drama; also founding member of improv troupe Burn Manhattan; three-time finalist for the Andy Kaufman award; for a stand-up sample, please click here).
The official description: "Centralia is known as one of the boldest, most inventive, ground-breaking improvisation groups to ever hit a New York stage. See the performers the Daily News called 'the purest form of theatre,' the Chicago Sun said is 'advancing the art of improvisation,' and the Village Voice said watching is 'like having a front row seat at a stranger's dream.'"
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Larry Murphy & Greg Johnson
The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show
This is one of the best comedy shows in New York.
Hosted by Greg Johnson (sharp, quick-witted stand-up comic)
and Larry Murphy (brilliant voiceover actor who performs all the
key characters on Adult Swim's Assy McGee; other TV series include
Home Movies, O'Grady, Cheapseats, Computer Lab, Puppets N Such;
for an animated VO reel, please click here).
Tonight's lineup hasn't been announced yet, but it's usually stellar.
To check for a last-minute update, please click here.
8:30 pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); tickets are $5
Jenny Rubin
Gay-themed comedy, hosted by Jenny Rubin.
Tonight's scheduled guests include
Leah Dubie (co-host of Monday NYC live comedy show Dykes on Mics),
Adam Sank (VH1; host of Sunday NYC live show Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour),
Dave Rubin (here! TV's Ben and Dave Show),
Mike Singer (Veteran of the Mic), and
Back Room co-producer Paul Case (MTV).
8:30 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Bobby Moynihan, Zach Woods, Christina Gausas, Michael Delaney, and Chris Gethard
Some of the smartest & finest improv comics in NYC—Michael Delaney, Christina Gausas,
Chris Gethard, Will Hines, Bobby Moynihan, Shannon O'Neill, Silvija Ozols,
and Zach Woods—make up a series of scenes from a one-word audience suggestion.
With art and grace, these star talents will make you laugh—a lot.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Veteran improvisor John O'Donnell is accompanied
by a rotating cast that might include such superb talents as
Tara Copeland, Scott Glover, Alex Marino, Louis Kornfeld,
Jessica Allen, Robin Rothman, and Megan Gray
—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 $7
Death by Roo Roo: Your F*cked Up Family
Arguably the gutsiest improv troupe in NYC, the brilliant comics of Death by Roo Roo—Anthony Atamanuik, Neil Casey, Jackie Clarke, Brett Gelman, John Gemberling, and Curtis Gwinn—interview an audience member about family and then act out his or her life story
via improvised scenes. Sometimes scary, and usually hilarious.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Joe Randazzo, Henry Kaiser, and Chris Ryan
Talented improv troupe 3D Beard—consisting of Joe Randazzo, Chris Ryan, and Henry Kaiser—brag that they are "Robot-free since 2006...We are proud to say that we haven't used
an android, cyborg, or automaton in our improv in almost two years!
We still have to fight a bunch of dinosaurs, though."
They're also quite funny.
11:30 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Pete Holmes and TJ Miller
UCBT's monthly open mic show for stand-up comics.
If you're simply looking to laugh, this show can be
lots of fun, or deadly, depending on who turns up.
But if you're a comic yourself, it's a fine opportunity
to perform in front of an exceptionally sharp audience.
And in my opinion, it's well worth sitting through five minutes of
a dreadful comic to get even 30 seconds of hilarious comments
about the set afterwards from brilliant hosts
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) and
TJ Miller (co-star of ABC's Carpoolers; co-star of recent hit movie Cloverfield; razor-sharp
stand-up who's performed on Late Show with David Letterman and Opie & Anthony).
Holmes' & Miller's lightning-fast minds will generate more perfect remarks
in a few moments than most comics can manage in a week.
Watching these stand-up masters is a great treat; and this show is free.
12:15ish am at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 3/8/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
the perfect comedy show for short attention spansopen mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set
and around 30 comics crammed into 2½ hoursat John Morrison's Ochi's Motel (6:00 pm),
star improvisation from writers & performers at 30 Rock, The Colbert Report,
and The Daily show who joyously declare Let's Have a Ball (7:30 pm),
Second City veterans, Magnet instructors, UCBT stars, and occasional celebs
at the Magnet's signature improv show, The Tiny Spectacular (7:30 pm),
a wonderful sketch show revolving around physical comedy from ace troupe Drop Six (8:00 pm),
improv comedy mixed with audience-supplied music at the rockin' Mother: The Soundtrack (9:00 pm),
inventive & hilarious sketch comedy from The Harvard Sailing Team (9:30 pm),
improvised TV shows about audience members via world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),
and a sketch show (with some improv thrown in) from the superb stars of Derrick (Midnight).
Lottery-style open mic for stand-up comics trying out material,
with 4½ minutes per performer...in return for a $5 contribution to the weekly prize kitty.
(In addition, Ochi's 1-item food or drink minimum applies to everyone.)
A breathtaking 30+ comics perform in this 2½ hour show; host
John Morrison (above) has described it as "comedy on crack."
If you're seeking consistent laughs, this might not be the best way to kick off
your evening. But if you're patient and adventurous, it's a potentially wild ride.
And if you're a performer looking for some stage time, it's a nice opportunity.
To be entered into the weekly random drawing for the show's performers,
please email host John Morrison (above) at ochismotel[at]gmail.com.
6:00 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Becky Drysdale, Anthony King, Christina Gausas, Peter Gwinn, and Tami Sagher
Some of the sharpest writers and performers in NYC get together for long-form improv fun.
The players typically include Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-director & cast member of Adult Swim's brilliant & Emmy-winning Moral Orel), Kay Cannon (writer for 30 Rock), Becky Drysdale (acclaimed one-woman show One Woman in Several Pieces, Web video series 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, 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
Drop Six is a superb NYC-based sketch troupe that makes great use of physical comedy.
The group—consisting of Marcus Bonnée, Tim Girrbach, Alicia Levy, Rodney Umble, and director Larry Rosen—was awarded Best of the Fest by Second City at the 2006 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. And their Drop Six: Mr. Lucky show killed at last year's FringeNYC, placing in my top 15 of the festival (out of 188 wildly diverse & competitive productions).
If you like sketch comedy, or simply enjoy laughing, I recommend Drop Six.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Carol Hartsell and Sean Crespo
Comedic variety show produced by Carol Hartsell and hosted by Sean Crespo
(stand-up comic and prolific filmmaker; for samples, please click here & here & here).
This evening's scheduled guests are
Jiwon Lee, Matt Little, Steve Macone, Shane Mauss,
and rock band AfterParty.
8:45 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (on low-cost menu; e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Jason Mantzoukas leads a vibrant team of improv comicsScot Armstrong, Tara Copeland, Jon Daly, James Eason, Jesse Falcon, Doug Moe, and Christine Walterswho 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: A Hundred Years of Song and Dance
The Harvard Sailing Team, which just won the ECNY Award for Best Sketch Comedy Group,
performs their special brand of fresh, imaginative comedy
that turns familiar rituals on their head. (For a video about awkward goodbyes
at the end of a party, please click here.) The very talented troupe consists of
Rebecca Brey, Jen Curran, Clayton Early, Faryn Einhorn, Katie Larson,
Adam Lustick, Chris Smith, Billy Scafuri, and Sara Taylor.
This new collection of sketches, titled
A Hundred Years of Song and Dance, covers such topics
as Melissa Etheridge, Duck Tales, and American Gladiators.
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Reuben Williams: As Seen on TV
Anthony King demonstrates that in addition to running UCBT-NY brilliantly, he's a superb improvisor and actor. Joining him are stellar talents Eugene Cordero, Lennon Parham, Charlie Sanders, Eric Scott, Kate Spencer, Charlie Todd, and Joe Wengert. Together, they interview an audience member, and then use the answers as the basis for a new TV show...which this fiercely talented comedy troupe creates & performs for you on the spot.
10:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $8
Springboarding from a word suggested by the audience,
George Basil, Frank Campanella, Christian Capozzoli, and Matt Evans
perform organic & energetic long-form improv for about 40 minutes.
Basil is a stand-out, but they're all sharp, committed improvisors.
There's also a warm chemistry between the men, which is especially evident
if you arrive early to watch them getting ready on stage: They toss a ball
back and forth, and then toss each other back and forth...sending
a body message of "If you throw an improv concept at me, you can trust me
to not let it drop..." One of the Magnet's most popular shows.
10:30 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Derrick is three sharp and enormously appealing performers,
Dominic Dierkes, Donald Glover, and DC Pierson, who have
proven themselves to be both stars and improvisation champions,
winning a breathtaking 11 improv matches in a row last year at Cage Match...
and breaking several all-time records while at it.
The guys also make wildly popular YouTube videos—
for some samples, please click here and here and here.
In this show, they perform sketch comedy live,
and throw in an improv session to boot.
These wonderfully inventive writer/actors are continually
creating new material, so even if you've seen this show before,
don't hesitate to come tonight; they're sure to surprise you.
Midnight at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 3/9/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
UCBT's playground for celebrities and ace improvisors, ASSSSCAT 3000 (7:30 & 9:30 pm),
and stand-up comics including John F. O'Donnell and Jay Larson
at Timmy Williams' & Sam Brown's Scum and Villainy (8:00 pm).
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...and even more tickets are available for those willing to watch the show standing. 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)
Hosts Timmy Williams & Sam Brown, and John F. O'Donnell
This free weekly show is hosted by Timmy Williams and Sam Brown, members of popular comedy group The Whitest Kids U' Know (currently starring in a TV show on IFC).
Tonight's fine stand-up comic guests include
John F. O'Donnell (Comedy Central's Fresh Faces; host of bimonthly NYC live comedy show
The Kingdom of Heaven; a wild man who will make you love him; for stand-up video, please click here),
Jay Larson (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central's Live at Gotham,
CBS' Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson),
Ryan Sickler (for boxing mockumentary, please click here),
and Soce the Elemental Wizard.
8:00 pm at Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street at Stanton; free
A showcase for talented improvisation twosomes.
Tonight's scheduled duos are
Leslie Korrein & Jill Connelly,
Caroline Ficksmann & Emily Bryan,
Jenny Dumlau & Taylor White, and
Tim Eberle & Nick Bennaquista.
8:00 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
The Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
Adam Sank (former TV news producer for FOX and WABC-TV; written
for The New York Times, Esquire Magazine, and The San Francisco Sentinel)
hosts this free gay-themed stand-up comedy show.
Tonight's scheduled guests are
Lexi Cullen-Baker, Steve Hofsteter, Brad Loekle, and Shannon Sutherland.
To get a feel for the show, please click here.
10:00 pm at Therapy, 348 West 52nd Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues); free
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 © 2008 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
