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.