NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 2/18/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
the delightful Kate Hess & Shelly Stover singing & crying for laughs, and sketches from Matt & Dave DiLoreto
and Joshua Sidis that include a Star Wars tribute, in We Kate Shelly and The Uncles (8:00 pm),
fine stand-up comics Leo Allen (NBC's SNL and Conan, Comedy Central), Jackie Kashian (NBC's Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), Andres du Bouchet (NBC's Conan, FOX),
Liam McEneaney (Comedy Central, VH1), and more at the free show Tell Your Friends (8:00ish pm),
brilliant comics Eugene Mirman (HBO, Comedy Central), Dave Barry (HBO, VH1), Larry Murphy (Adult Swim),
and Michelle Collins (MTV, VH1) at the hilarious Joe Mande's & Noah Garfinkel's Totally J/K (8:15ish pm),
sketches & other fun regarding the Presidential primary season, plus an interview with eco-champion
Ed Begley Jr. and wife Rachelle Begley, at Lizz Winstead's Shoot the Messenger (8:30 pm),
and comedy giant Eugene Mirman (racing over from Totally J/K), genius improv beatboxer Reggie Watts,
inventive comedic chameleon Brett Gelman, and superb stand-up Kumail Nanjiani
at one of the funniest shows in NYC—which just happens to be free—Cavalcade! (11:00 pm).
Two comedy shows for five bucks.
First up is sketch group Pangea 3000, which consists of
Andrew Cleary, Sam Kemmis, Dan Klein, Arthur Meyer, and Seth Reiss.
To view two of the troupe's surreal tales of games guys play, involving
whoopee cushions and tag, please click here and here.
The double-bill then continues with Hot Lather, an improv group that specializes
in the soap opera format. Its members include some powerhouse performers:
Mike Cavanaugh, Matt Fisher, Jon Gutierrez, Molly Lloyd, Anna Rubanova, Achilles Stamatelaky, Mike Still, Abra Tabak, Andree Vermeulen, and Paul Welsh,
with direction by Rob Webber.
6:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Kate Hess & Shelly Stover of We Kate Shelly; and Matt DiLoreto, Dave DiLoreto, and Joshua Sidis of The Uncles
Two fine sketch comedy shows for five bucks.
This evening kicks off with We Kate Shelly,
a sketch show that has great fun with uncomfortable encounters (e.g., a woman declares joy
over her recent abortion, causing the women she's with to burst into tears because
she's just had a miscarriage...). Featuring singing, dancing, and even more crying,
written and starring the irresistible Kate Hess & Shelly Stover,
and directed by comedic genius Andy Secunda (The Swarm).
The double-bill then continues with sketch troupe The Uncles, consisting of Matt DiLoreto,
Dave DiLoreto, and Joshua Sidis. These guys are sharp comedic performers, so it's a bit disappointing their material often doesn't live up to their talent. However, a running gag that culminates in a memorable showdown will probably make you forgive the weaker material.
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
This free weekly comedy show offers stand-ups the opportunity to try out new material
and 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 terrific scheduled guests include
Leo Allen (writer for Saturday Night Live 2002-2005; Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
Comedy Central Presents, Ed, Sex and the City),
Jackie Kashian (Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; for Last Comic Standing
stand-up video about Jackie's salesman dad, please click 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;
live NYC comedy show Giant Tuesday; comedy videos),
and host Chris DeLuca (writer for a slew of TV shows, VH1's Best Week Ever
and CBS' former Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn).
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 thoroughly wonderful guests include
Eugene Mirman (comedy giant who recently did a Comedy Central Presents half-hour special;
also appeared on Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Jump Cuts, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1; performs voice of gruff, screechy nun
as cast member of Adult Swim's Lucy, Daughter of the Devil animated series;
winner of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Comedy Host; comedy CDs
The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman and En Garde, Society!),
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),
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; co-host of
stellar NYC weekly comedy extravaganza The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show, which won
the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Variety Show; for an animated VO reel, please click here), and
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).
8:15ish pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); tickets are $5
TV star & eco-activist Ed Begley Jr. with wife Rachelle Begley; and STM host Lizz Winstead
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.)
Tonight's guests are Ed Begley Jr. and Rachelle Begley. Ed is the former TV star of
St. Elsewhere who went on to champion the Green Movement. He's currently
starring in HGTVs Living with Ed, and is the author of the hot-off-the-presses book
Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life.
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.
Nick Zimmerman in Out of Africa My Mind, and Lance Rubin & Ray Munoz in The Lance & Ray Show
The Lance & Ray Show and Out of Africa My Mind
Two quirky productions for five bucks.
The Lance & Ray Show is sketch comedy in a stream-of-consciousness style
from funny duo Lance Rubin & Ray Munoz. I liked the comedic intentions
more than the actual material, but the audience I saw this with seemed to enjoy
the whole package. Either way, these guys are talented and promising.
The other half of this double-bill is Out of Africa My Mind, a one-man show written and performed by Nick Zimmerman. Again, the material didn't quite resonate with me;
but Zimmerman's gentle and unsettling style makes him a performer worth keeping an eye on.
Directed by the wonderful John Flynn (John Flynn Has Terrible Sex, The Nights of Our Lives).
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Brett Gelman, Eugene Mirman, and Reggie Watts...
...and Kumail Nanjiani
This razor-sharp stand-up extravaganza is no place for the innocent.
However, it's enormous fun.
Tonight's magnificent lineup includes
Eugene Mirman (comedy giant who recently did a Comedy Central Presents half-hour special;
also appeared on Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Jump Cuts, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1; performs voice of gruff, screechy nun
as cast member of Adult Swim's Lucy, Daughter of the Devil animated series;
winner of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Comedy Host; comedy CDs
The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman and En Garde, Society!),
Reggie Watts (winner of 3rd Annual Andy Kaufman Award; scary talented vocalist, beatboxer, and musician who will likely amaze you; to learn more, please visit ReggieWatts.com),
Brett Gelman (comedic chameleon; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Colbert Report, stellar 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 CD Fleetwood Cracked),
Kumail Nanjiani (rising star; for very funny stand-up about the dark side of video games,
odd memories, and the many ways cell phones are eliminated in horror films, please click 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 2/19/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
five superb female comics who are also a terrific experimental cover band: Stickerbook (7:00 pm),
Jenny Rubin, Ann Carr, Helen Hong, Amy Crossfield, Rachael Parenta, and other sharp
women stand-ups who'll shock and amuse you at host Diana Saez's Chicks & Giggles (8:00 pm),
book author Arlen Schumer, stellar stand-up Carolyn Castiglia, and a reality show superhero join the
always-fun explorations of comic books with a comedic slant at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),
magical and breathtakingly talented comics Livia Scott and Reggie Watts, plus superb
stand-up comics Roger Hailes and Joselyn Hughes, at the fabulous Seth Herzog's Sweet (9:00 pm),
and ace sketch group Olde English (ABC, MSNBC), plus comics Jon Friedman, Dan Allen, and
Michael Somerville (David Letterman, Comedy Central, VH1), at Her Majesty's Stand-Up (9:30 pm).
Stickerbook is a terrific all-gal experimental cover band whose members include some of the funniest women in NYC: Jen Hammaker (theremin, keys, vocals), Becky Poole (saw, accordion, guitar), Eliza Skinner (drums, accordion, vocals), Sue Galloway (guitar, keys, vocals), and Becky Yamamoto (keys, tambourine, vocals). Please sample their stuff via their MySpace page,
and then come see them perform live tonight for a mere five bucks.
7:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Jenny Rubin, Ann Carr, and Helen Hong
Tonight's lineup of talented female stand-up comics is hosted by
Diana Saez (DC Comedy Festival; XM Radio; created/produced Washington DC's
first all-female comedy showcase; for stand-up videos, please click here and here).
The scheduled guests are
Jenny Rubin (host of weekly NYC live comedy show Max!),
Ann Carr (Comedy Central Motherload's Honesty Wedding, UCBT's High School Talent Show,
The Pit's Keith & Donna's Grateful Dead Listening Hour),
Helen Hong (TLC's What Not to Wear; E!'s Exposed: 25 Most Notorious Fashion Week Moments; for a video stand-up sample, please click here),
Amy Crossfield (for tough, funny Carolines stand-up video about kids, dogs,
domestic violence, and Internet dating, please click here),
Rachael Parenta (for audio clip of three hilariously shocking jokes, please click here),
Maria Shehata (Comedy Central Motherload's The Watch List), and
Laura Mannino (California Comedy Festival).
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)
Darren Passarello as Nitro G, stellar comic Carolyn Castiglia, and Arlen Schumer's The Silver Age of Comic Book Art
Hosted by Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler and Pete LePage,
who enjoy discussing comic books while getting laughs.
Tonight's guests are Arlen Schumer, author of the book The Silver Age of Comic Book Art,
Darren Passarello, who played Nitro G on Stan Lee's Sci-Fi Channel reality game show
Who Wants to Be a Superhero?, and
the wonderful Carolyn Castiglia, a stand-up comic who's appeared on VH1, MTV2,
and Sirius Satellite Radio, and writes for The Huffington Post. Carolyn is also the superb host and co-producer of the weekly NYC live comedy show Chicks & Giggles (see directly above); but tonight she's taking off from C&G to grace CBC with her quick wit.
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—
Twelve Thousand Dollars, Tantrum, 1985, Bastian, and DeCoster—
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, Reggie Watts, and Livia Scott...
...and Seth Herzog and Joselyn Hughes
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 stellar lineup includes
Reggie Watts (winner of 3rd Annual Andy Kaufman Award; genius improv beatboxer, vocalist, and musician who will likely amaze you; just recorded his first CD/DVD, for which we should all keep an eye out; to learn more, please visit ReggieWatts.com),
Livia Scott (brilliant, magical comedic chameleon; Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
world-class sketch group Meat, acclaimed one-woman show Goodnight, O.J.,
Livia's Castle of Enchantment),
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), and
Joselyn Hughes (co-host of biweekly NYC live comedy show Slumber Party).
9:00 pm at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street (corner of Stanton Street); tickets are $5
Michael Somerville, Olde English, and Jon Friedman
Hosted by Jon Bander, Dan Gregor, and Lucas Held.
Tonight's comics include
Olde English (ace sketch troupe and prodigious generator of funny videos;
ABC's Good Morning America, MSNBC, hosts UCBT variety show Very Fresh;
on Entertainment Weekly's" Must See" list; members are Caleb Bark,
Ben Popik, David Segal, Adam Conover, and Raphael Bob-Waksberg),
Jon Friedman (host of the superb NYC live comedy extravaganzas Slightly Buzzed and
The Rejection Show; author of the book Rejected: Tales of the Failed, Dumped, and Canceled),
Michael Somerville (Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central's
Premium Blend, Starz's Stand Up or Shut Up, VH1), and
Dan Allen (Comedy Central's Premium Blend; claims to be writing
Kevin Bacon's biography in the sixth person).
9:30 pm at The Magnet Theatre, 254 West 29th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 2/20/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in NYC live comedy include
brilliant comics Todd Barry, Julie & Jackie, Kurt Braunohler, Hot Sauce, and more at CBS/NYC Presents (8:00 pm),
some of the most talented funny women in New York, including the magical Adira Amram (jammin' with
her famous dad David Amram and brother Adam), and the delightful Sara Schaefer, Ann Carr,
Becky Yamamoto, and Katina Corrao at Williamsburg Brooklyn's Let's Do It (8:00 pm),
open-mic comedy with hilarious headliner Rick Shapiro at John F. O'Donnell's The Kingdom of Heaven (8:15ish pm),
the penultimate edition of one of the finest comedy shows to ever grace NYC, with stellar stand-ups
coming to bid near-farewell to Eugene Mirman's & Bobby Tisdale's Invite Them Up (9:00 pm),
a wonderful new 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
Todd Barry, Michelle Collins, and Kurt Braunohler...
...and Julie Klausner & Jackie Clarke (Julie & Jackie), and Gil Ozeri, Ben Schwartz, & Adam Pally (Hot Sauce)
Some of the funniest stand-ups and comedic teams in New York
are gathered for tonight's showcase. They include:
Todd Barry (wryly brilliant stand-up who's one of the very best in the biz;
Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,
Comedy Central Presents; HBO's Flight of the Conchords and Lucky Louie;
Comedy Central's Freak Show, Dr. Katz, and Shorties Watching Shorties;
Adult Swim's Space Ghost, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and Tom Goes To The Mayor;
upcoming comedy CD From Heaven),
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),
Julie Klausner & Jackie Clarke (razor-sharp and hilarious writer/performers who host the monthly NYC live comedy show Obsessed with Julie & Jackie; please check out
their recent short films by clicking here),
Hot Sauce (stellar sketch/improv consisting of Gil Ozeri, Adam Pally and Ben Schwartz;
for some video samples of their work, please click here and here), and
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).
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Ann Carr, Adira Amram, and Sara Schaefer...
...and Katina Corrao and Becky Yamamoto
Stellar female comics sing and perform stand-up. Starring:
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),
Adira's acclaimed musician father David Amram and brother Adam joining in for an Amram Jam,
Sara Schaefer (delightful quick-witted comics; VH1's Best Week Ever,
E! Network's Rise of the Geeks, Union Hall's Name That Tune, UCBT's Video Gaga),
Ann Carr (Comedy Central Motherload's Honesty Wedding, UCBT's High School Talent Show,
The Pit's Keith & Donna's Grateful Dead Listening Hour),
Becky Yamamoto (rave reviews from The New York Times, The New Yorker, etc.
for her recent performance in the play Songs of the Dragon Flying to Heaven;
member of all-female comedic rock band Stickerbook), and
Katina Corrao (HBO's Daddy, Comedy Central; for video samples, please click here and here).
8:00 pm at Sound Fix Records, 110 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg Brooklyn; free
Take the L subway to Bedford Avenue and walk four blocks to N 11th Street
John F. O'Donnell and Rick Shapiro
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 visiting star comic is Rick Shapiro ...who is fresh, surprising, and hilarious.
Rick's credits include HBO's Lucky Louie, PoCreations Radio, and his comedy CD Unconditional Love.
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.
Hosted by comedy greats Eugene Mirman and Bobby Tisdale (above).
The lineup—which is sure to be stellar—tends to be posted late afternoon
on the day of the show. To check whether the Web page
has been updated yet, please click here.
Please Note: This is the next-to-last show of this wonderful six-years-running extravaganza.
9:00 pm at Rififi, 332 East 11th Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues); tickets are $5
