Comedy giants John Mulaney (hired just last month as writer for Saturday Night LIve)
and Eugene Mirman perform tonight at Leo Allen's free UCBT show Whiplash
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
[TOP PICK] superb and hilarious actress Amanda Duarte performing her one-woman show about working in the entertainment biz in Lucky Pink Wonderland (7:00 pm),
stand-ups Maureen Langan, Chantal Carrere, and Jackie Jones joining delightful hosts
Jackie Monahan, Leah Dubie, Amy Beckerman, & Gloria Bigelow at Dykes on Mics (7:00 pm),
a free stand-up comedy show hosted by Jon Friedman, and featuring such sharp talents as
Greg Johnson, Brooke Van Poppelen, and Sean Patton at Chelsea Market's Comedy Night (7:30 pm),
the perfect show for short attention spans—open-mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set
and around 30 comics crammed into 2½ hours—at John Morrison's Ochi's Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] eight sharp storytellers trying to mislead the audience in The Liar Show (8:00 pm),
a very popular comedy site's talents coming out from behind the Net tonight,
accompanied by superb NYC comics Leo Allen, Craig Baldo, and
Tom McCaffrey, at CollegeHumor.com, Live on Stage (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and a free weekly show featuring some of the finest stand-up comics in the country—who this week include Eugene Mirman (Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central, Adult Swim), John Mulaney (new writer for SNL; Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central, VH1), Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central), and Sean Patton (founder of the New Orleans Comedy Festival)—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (SNL, Comedy Central) at Whiplash (11:00 pm).
A few of the faces of stellar actress/writer Amanda Duarte
I first met Amanda Duarte when she was kind enough to visit my screenwriters workshop for an evening of cold readings. She was an exceptionally skilled and quick-thinking actress while performing the movie pages; but what was even more notable were her off-hand comments during our critiquing afterwards. At one point Amanda said a scene was "funny as balls." I remarked that I'd never realized balls were comedic. Amanda instantly replied, "Take my word, Hy. I've seen a lot more of them than you have." It was then I realized that in addition to being a stellar actress, Amanda is a razor-sharp wit.
Both qualities are in ample evidence in Amanda's one-woman show, which explores the crazy behavior of celebrities, and the highly unglamorous life of performers seeking to attain their own fame. Some sample moments:
Hollywood star teaching her 4-year-old adopted trophy-daughter the right values by ordering a Diet Coke: "Emma, what does Mommy say? It's not a diet, it's a live-it. Now drink it up and be pretty."
A fading star in a restaurant: "I'm just trying to have lunch with my friend here today, so no autographs, okay? Oh. Sorry. I'll have the garden salad."
Failed actress turned waitress trying to force alcohol at noon on a fellow waitress in AA who just landed a TV role: "Let's celebrate with a drink! Really, one little glass isn't gonna hurt, is it? Look, you're being rude. Well, glad I don't have to live like that. Thank God I don't have a drinking problem, 'cause I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't have a drink."
Like Amanda, the show is smart, funny, raunchy, memorable...and recommended.
7:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Gloria Bigelow, Amy Beckerman, Leah Dubie, and Jackie Monahan
Free gay-themed stand-up comedy show featuring the gals above
as regulars/hosts, plus tonight's guests
Maureen Langan, Chantal Carrere, and Jackie Jones.
7:00 pm at The Stonewall Inn, 53 Christopher Street (at 7th Avenue South); free
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; producer
John Morrison (above) has described it as "comedy on crack."
If you're seeking consistent laughs, this might not be the best way to spend
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.
Plus if you stick around till the show's end to support your fellow comics,
you have a chance at winning the cash from the kitty, along with smaller prizes.
Ochi's Motel is hosted & booked by Sean Donnelly and Joe Powers.
To be entered into the weekly random drawing for performers,
please send email to ochismotel[at]gmail.com.
There are two shows tonight, at 6:30 and 9:00 pm (with entirely different sets of comics).
6:30 pm & 9:00 pm, Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues)
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Greg Johnson, Jon Friedman, and Brooke Van Poppelen
Comedy Night at Chelsea Market
One of New York's great shopping institutions is the Chelsea Market,
which plays host to a wide range of nourishing foods and additively delicious snacks.
(Be sure to try the Fat Witch brownies, which are half-price from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm;
and Eleni's irresistible cupcakes and cookies, which are half-price from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.)
But with the aim of also being a cultural institution, Chelsea Market
plays home to a variety of fun events...including a Comedy Night.
In charge of the latter is Jon Friedman, host of the superb monthly NYC live comedy extravaganza The Rejection Show and author of the book Rejected: Tales of the Failed, Dumped, and Canceled.
Jon's scheduled lineup tonight includes Greg Johnson, Brooke Van Poppelen, Sean Patton, Jesse Popp, Sean O’Conner Ilana Glazer, and Megan Ganz.
The show takes place near the waterfall...and is entirely free.
7:30 pm at Chelsea Market, 75 9th Avenue (between 15th &16th Streets); free
Eight funny people tell amazing stories. Six of the tales are absolutely true...but two of them are a pack of lies. The audience then asks questions to try and identify the fibbers. (Nail either liar and get a t-shirt.) Hosted by Andy Christie (The New York Times).
The Liar Show was just a smash hit at this August's Edinburgh Festival. Recommended.
Please Note: You can save $5 off the $20 cover (i.e., pay $15 per ticket)
by ordering online with discount code HyReviews.
Please also note there's also a two-item minimum;
with tax & tip, figure on spending an additional $13 or up.
8:00 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
$15 online using code HYREVIEWS, plus two-item food or drink minimum
CollegeHumor.com, Live on Stage
The folks behind highly popular Web site CollegeHumor.com get on stage tonight, along with top stand-up comics Leo Allen, Craig Baldo, and Tom McCaffrey.
Please note the comedy of CollegeHumor.com isn't for every taste—like, for example, mine. But the site clearly understands its audience; and if you're one of the folks it appeals to, this is a great opportunity to hear behind-the-scenes stories and watch material too raw even for the Web.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Hannibal Buress, Eugene Mirman, and Sean Patton...
...and Leo Allen and John Mulaney
Whiplash with Leo Allen: The Finest in Stand-Up Comedy, Free
Leo Allen is one of the most sharp, honest, and likeable stand-ups working in NYC. Leo was a writer for Saturday Night Live from 2002 through 2005. He's also performed two Comedy Central Presents 1/2-hour specials (one by himself and one with his writing partner Eric Slovin); done stand-up on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.; and acted on Ed and Sex and the City. Leo has now taken over the Monday-at-11:00 pm UCBT spot made super-special by Aziz Ansari's Crash Test and Jeremy Levenbach's Cavalcade! (In fact, this new show is produced by Jeremy.)
Tonight's wonderful guests are
Eugene Mirman (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special,
Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Jump Cuts, HBO's Flight of the Conchords, VH1,
The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman and En Garde, Society! comedy albums,
award-winning co-host of weekly Brooklyn comedy show Tearing the Veil of Maya),
John Mulaney (one of the funniest stand-up comics in the country; since August 2008 has been staff writer for Saturday Night Live; frequently appears on VH1's Best Week Ever; performed stand-up twice on Late Night with Conan O'Brien; won the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Male Stand-Up Comedian; selected by Variety as among the 10 Comics to Watch for 2008; to check out videos of John's two Conan sets, please click here and here),
Sean Patton (2008 Montreal Just for Laughs Festival, LES' The Tommy Danger Show, founder of the New Orleans Comedy Festival; for stand-up audio clip about vitamin-coated condoms and stand-up video about drugs & weapons, please click here and here), and
Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, Chicago's Finest).
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 9/23/08
Todd Barry performs tonight at Seth Herzog's Sweet; and Anthony Jeselnik and Livia Scott
perform at Margie Kment's new show Hold for the Laughs
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
[TOP PICK] a free live shoot of a comedy film starring superb stand-ups
Victor Varnado, Baron Vaughn, Eric André, and Hannibal Buress
in The Awkward Kings of Comedy (6:00 pm and 8:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] The Daily Show Segment Producer Elliot Kalan—who provides the voiceover
for the superhero version of President Bush called The Decider—
joining in on a lively & fun discussion about comic books at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),
three full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring the troupes Ragnaröck,
The Law Firm, The Scam, Bastian, and DeCoster—at Harold Night (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] genius stand-ups Todd Barry (David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, HBO, Comedy Central)
and Jessi Klein (Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN, Adult Swim), and genius storyteller/author
Elna Baker (This American Life, Elle) at one of the finest & funniest shows in NYC,
the wonderful Seth Herzog's Sweet (9:00 pm),
brilliant comedic chameleon Livia Scott (Conan O'Brien), razor-sharp stand-up
Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central), Danny Leary (here! TV), and more at a show
pretending to be from the Pennsylvania heartland: Skip & Sparkle Variety (9:00 pm)
[TOP PICK] superb comics/writers Donald Glover (writer for 30 Rock, member of Derrick), Joe Mande
(writer/star of comedic mini-play Workdays with Maury), Greg Johnson, and more
join hosts Mike Drucker and Jon Clarke at Writers Room Comedy (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] some of the most brilliant and hilarious comics in the county—including Livia Scott
(Conan O'Brien), Anthony Jeselnik (Comedy Central Presents), Sean Patton, and
Jamie Lee—gather to entertain and raise some cash for a theatre project
at Margie Kment's new show Hold for the Laughs (10:00 pm),
and a free opportunity for you to perform improv with UCBT veterans at Jammin' with Ralph (11:00 pm).
Picking up on the success of The Kings of Comedy,
four of the most talented stand-ups in the alternative scene—
Victor Varnado, Baron Vaughn, Eric André, and Hannibal Buress,
plus interviewer (and talented stand-up in her own right) Marina Franklin—
have decided to shoot their own comedy film.
And you can be a part of it.
There will be two shows, at 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm,
at an East Village theatre.
Tickets are entirely free; but you must make a reservation
by calling (800) 521-4205 or emailing kings@supremerobot.com.
If you aren't familiar with these superb talents,
check out their preview by clicking here.
The Daily Show's superhero version of President Bush: The Decider
Hosted by Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler and Pete LePage,
who enjoy discussing comic books while getting laughs.
Tonight's comedic guest is Elliot Kalan, who's half of sketch comedy duo The Hypocrites, and a segment producer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart—for which his duties have included providing voiceover for the comic book parody of President Bush titled The Decider.
To get a feel for the smart, playful vibe of Comic Book Club, please check out its podcasts—
that is, audio recordings of previous shows in their entirety—by clicking here.
(And for my fave, a delightful show with Kevin "Batman" Conroy, please click here).
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—
Ragnaröck, The Law Firm, The Scam, 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
Elna Baker, Todd Barry, and Jessie Klein...
...and Seth Herzog and Michael Showalter
Hosted by the razor-sharp, dynamic, and hilarious Seth Herzog (VH1's Best Week Ever).
Seth is one of the finest hosts around—and this is one of the best comedy shows in NYC.
Tonight's thoroughly wonderful guests are
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, Lucky Louie, and Sex in the City;
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;
recently acted in the upcoming Darren Aronofsky film The Wrestler;
check out Todd's newest comedy CD From Heaven),
Jessi Klein (deliciously honest, brilliant, hilarious stand-up star; Rolling Stones' comedy "Hot List;" Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn;
VH1's Best Week Ever; NBC's The Today Show; CNN; The Showbiz Show with David Spade;
voice of Lucy on Adult Swim's Lucy the Daughter of the Devil;
for a video stand-up sample about which celebrity would save
the most Jews, and on email etiquette, please click here and here), and
Elna Baker (brilliant writer, storyteller, improvisor, and comics creator whose If You See Something was best one-woman show at FringeNYC 2006; This American Life, Elle Magazine; currently writing a book about her experiences living and dating as a Mormon in NYC; according to HBO Comedy Development's Dan Gregor, "Elna Baker tells stories with so much effortless charm and natural humor that you almost forget she's on a stage and you're not just sharing a beer. Endearing, funny, and unique—I think everyone in the audience was secretly hoping her next story would include them").
9:00 pm at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street (corner of Stanton Street); tickets are $5
The Skip & Sparkle Variety Show
In this new show, "Pennsylvania's favorite jokester song-and-dance team, Skip Lickdale and Sparkle Montgomery, and that ol' biz workhorse Ron Phoenixville, bring you the most fun cast of characters that New York has to offer. Gags, singing-n-dancing, ukuleles and more!"
Tonight's superb lineup consists of
Livia Scott (brilliant comedic chameleon who's a stellar stand-up and sketch comic, and also an extraordinary actress; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's Motherload, world-class sketch groups Meat and Dirty Jeans & Thunderchief, host of NYC comedy show Livia's Castle of Enchantment, 2008 ECNY Award-nominated one-woman show Goodnight, O.J.),
Matt McCarthy (razor-sharp comic; Comedy Central's Live at Gotham; co-host of biweekly LIC live comedy extravaganza The Matt and Katina Show),
Danny Leary (here! TV's Hot Gay Comics, host of NYC live comedy show On the Rocks),
Robert Keller (Logo TV), and
D'yan Forest (comedic cabaret singer and ukulele player).
9:00 pm at Ochi's Lounge at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
no cover, 1 drink or food item minimum (e.g., draft beer for $4-$5)
Greg Johnson, Joe Mande, and Donald Glover
Stand-ups, sketch writers, and funny authors
read excerpts from their most hilarious material.
The show is hosted by
Mike Drucker (winner of Disney's 2007 So You Think You're Funny competition
and performer on Comedy Central's The Watchlist; 23/6.com contributor; for Drucker's explanation of how life is like video games and comic books, please click here; and to learn
why Drucker's girlfriend wouldn't give him a gold star, please click here) and
Jon Clarke (for a stand-up video about Cookie Monster, please click here).
Tonight's superb comics/writers are
Joe Mande (2008 ECNY Award winner for Best Emerging Comic; VH1; 23/6.com;
writer/co-star of new autobiographical comedic play Workdays with Maury at UCBT;
co-host of NYC live comedy show Totally J/K),
Donald Glover (writer for NBC's 30 Rock; multiple appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien; member of three-man improv/sketch comedy troupe Derrick, which is a star
both on stage at UCBT and on the Web via their wildly popular YouTube videos—
for samples, please click here and here and here and here),
Greg Johnson (sharp, quick-witted stand-up comic who co-hosts the NYC comedy extravaganza The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show,
which won the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Variety Show),
9:30 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $5
The magical Livia Scott, and the hilarious Anthony Jeselnik being lauded by Robin Williams...
...and Margie Kment, Jamie Lee, and Sean Patton
To raise funds for a theatre project, some of NYC's finest comedians are getting together to entertain you. The line-up is stellar, so please help out—and save yourself a couple of bucks by buying in advance online ($10 per ticket vs. $12 at the door).
This event is produced and hosted by Margie Kment (for stand-up video about dating a stoner, please click here).
And the wonderful comics are
Anthony Jeselnik (phenomenal comic specializing in darkly shocking jokes and one of
my favorite stand-ups ever; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, upcoming Comedy Central Presents 1/2-hour special, HBOComedy Central's Premium Blend, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, MTV's Most Valuable Players;
for stand-up videos, please click here and here),
Livia Scott (brilliant comedic chameleon who's a stellar stand-up and sketch comic, and also an extraordinary actress; Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's Motherload, world-class sketch groups Meat and Dirty Jeans & Thunderchief, host of NYC comedy show Livia's Castle of Enchantment, 2008 ECNY Award-nominated one-woman show Goodnight, O.J.),
Jamie Lee (VH1.com's Best Night Ever, Archers of Ha, Collegehumor.com),
Sean Patton (2008 Montreal Just for Laughs Festival, LES' The Tommy Danger Show, founder of the New Orleans Comedy Festival; for a stand-up audio clip about vitamin-coated condoms, please click here),
Taylor Williamson (Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, MTV, Fuel TV's The Daily Habit,
for sample stand-up video, please click here), and
Barry Rothbart (member of sketch troupe The StraightMen; for video about a robot roommate, please click here).
10:00 pm at the Sage Theatre, 711 Seventh Avenue, 2nd floor
(between 47th and 48th Streets); tickets are $10 in advance online, $12 at door
To perform improvisation at UCBT, you must spend years taking classes and carefully perfecting your craft...or you can come to this monthly free show, which allows audience members to jump on stage and participate!
Hosted by popular long-form improv troupe The Law Firm, which consists of superb talents Dominic Dierkes, Jonathan Gabrus, Sue Galloway, Nate Lang, Gil Ozeri, Adam Pally, Ben Rodgers, and Gavin Speiller.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 9/24/08
The brilliantly hilarious Chris Gethard, Curtis Gwinn, and Anthony Atamanuik tell true tales
of disastrously failed relationships at UCBT's The Nights of Our Lives
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
[TOP PICK] some of most razor-sharp and uproariously funny storytellers in the country—Anthony Atamanuik, John Flynn, Chris Gethard, Curtis Gwinn, and Dave Martin—telling deeply personal tales about "Love Gone Bad" at one of the finest shows in NYC, The Nights of Our Lives (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] and a free, laid-back, and occasionally magical variety show where virtually anything can happen on a School Night (11:00).
The Nights of Our Lives: Love Gone Bad
This is one of the best shows in New York.
The format is simple: A bunch of razor-sharp writer/performers tell stories
about themselves revolving around the evening's theme—which tonight
is the potentially mind-blowing "Love Gone Bad."
The only rules of the show are that the tales must be true, and must be funny.
The brutal honesty, and jarring bravery, of some the participants can be hair-raising.
What they offer aren't merely jokes, but resonant, humane perspectives on life.
At the same time, there are very few shows, on or off Broadway,
that will make you laugh as consistently and as loud.
Enormous kudos go to host David Martin; and to brilliant storytellers
Anthony Atamanuik, John Flynn, Chris Gethard, Curtis Gwinn, Anthony King,
Margot Leitman, Adam Pally, and the other comedy soldiers who've bared
some of their darkest and funniest secrets on the Nights of Our Lives stage.
This evening's scheduled yarn-spinners are stellar core regulars: the aforementioned Anthony Atamanuik, John Flynn, Chris Gethard, Curtis Gwinn, and Dave Martin. Expect a highly memorable evening.
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Justin Purnell
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 typically wonderful free show makes possible.
11:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); free
NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 9/25/08
Tonight's recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
(in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
[TOP PICK] the kickoff show for the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, with guests including
Janeane Garofalo, Bobby Tisdale, Seth Herzog, and Patrick Borelli, at the tongue-in-cheek
Opening Night Awards Gala (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] a double-bill of one-woman shows from two of the funniest comedic performers
in New York, Kimmy Gatewood and Alicia Levy, in Totally Worth It (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] sharp NYC comics DC Benny (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central Presents, The Chris Rock Show),
Vic Henley (David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents), Michelle Buteau
(Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), and Carmen Lynch (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central)
in the Comix Comedy Club stand-up showcase Hot Comix (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] shining stars Jason Sudeikis (cast member of Saturday Night Live) and Ana Ortiz (cast member
of Ugly Betty) visit Jessica Chaffin & Jamie Denbo playing book authors offering sage advice
to Jewish singles at Ronna & Beverly's All Jew Revue (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] a hilarious panel about the news at Shut Up! I Hate You! (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and the phenomenal Ben Rodgers pitting his improv skills against lab-bred
LD & The Scientist competing for audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).
Everybody else is doing a comedy festival...so why not Eugene Mirman?
That's essentially the reasoning behind what promises to be an extremely fun event running September 25-28 in Brooklyn. It kicks off tonight with a show hosted by Eugene, and including guests Janeane Garofalo, Bobby Tisdale, Seth Herzog, Patrick Borelli, and many others. This will be a fake awards show, with food, followed by Bobby Bingo (Bobby Tisdale's super-fun bingo game), and an afterparty DJed by Craig Baldo.
To purchase tickets ($15), please click here.
8:00 pm at The Bell House, 149 7th Street (bet. 2nd & 3rd Avenues) in Gowanus, Brooklyn
Take the M/F/R train to 9th Street - 4th Avenue Union Street, and walk 2 blocks to 7th Street
and 1 1/2 avenues (between 3rd & 2nd Avenues)
Kimmy Gatewood and Alicia Levy
In this stellar double-bill, two of the funniest comics in NYC perform one-woman shows.
Alicia Levy is a member of world-class sketch troupe Drop Six, which is famed for its wonderful mix of physical comedy and music. Alicia provides both in abundance as she plays such characters as a painfully clumsy stripper, an insanely cautious expert on child safety, and a splendorous fairy contemplating a wing reduction. The material isn't always balanced—for example, the baby expert is a running joke that's done to death—but Alicia's performances are consistently energetic and fearless, making her an up-and-comer worth keeping an eye on.
Kimmy Gatewood is a member of one of the finest sketch groups in the country, The Apple Sisters, which has appeared on Comedy Central and won the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Musical Comedy Act. Kimmy has devoted herself intensely to improv and sketch; and all her hard, smart work shines through in The Engagement, for which she plays a series of characters offering advice to a bride on her wedding day. I first saw this show a year ago, and was impressed with Kimmy as an actress but less than thrilled with her script. I'm not sure the material has significantly changed—but Kimmy's performances are now so brilliant that I no longer even care. Combining hilarious over-the-top comedy with nuanced, organic acting, Kimmy is proving herself a star who couldn't be more ready for a break on Broadway, TV, or film. If you're in the industry, hire this rare jewel before someone else is wise enough to snatch her up.
And if you're not, simply come to this show to be dazzled and enchanted...
and to enjoy 75 minutes packed with laughs.
8:00 pm at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 West 29th Street (off 7th Avenue); tickets are $8
Michelle Buteau, Vic Henley, and DC Benny
Hot Comix: Benny, Buteau, Henley, Lynch
Sharp stand-up comics perform in this showcase
praised by New York Magazine and The Gothamist.
Tonight's scheduled comedians include
DC Benny (Last Comic Standing finalist, Comedy Central Presents half-hour special
and Comedy Central's Premium Blend, The Chris Rock Show, Showtime at the Apollo, Friday Night Videos; TV and movie actor for Law & Order, The Cosby Show, Spider-Man 3, and the upcoming film Five Nights in Brooklyn),
Michelle Buteau (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central's Premium Blend;
for stand-up video about Utah, sharing, and tits, please click here),
Vic Henley (Late Show with David Letterman, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, upcoming Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; for his stand-up set on Letterman, please click here), and
Carmen Lynch (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central's Premium Blend;
for stand-up video about being tall, please click here).
Please Note: You can save $5 off the $20 cover (i.e., pay $15 per ticket)
by ordering online with discount code HyReviews.
Please also note there's a two-item food or drink minimum;
with tax & tip, figure on spending an additional $13 or up.
8:00 pm at Comix, 353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues);
$15 online using code HYREVIEWS, plus two-item minimum
Jason Sudeikis and Ana Ortiz...
...and Jessica Chaffin and Jamie Denbo
Ronna & Beverly's All Jew Revue
Hosted by Jessica Chaffin & Jamie Denbo play Ronna Glickman & Beverly Kahn, the bestselling authors of You'll Do a Little Better Next Time: A Guide to Marriage and Remarriage for Jewish Singles. To get a feel for the act, please visit ronnaandbeverly.com.
Tonight's stellar guests are Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live writer since 2003 and cast member since 2006; former love interest of Liz Lemmon on 30 Rock) and Ana Ortiz (cast member of Ugly Betty).
8:00 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
Anthony King and Kate Spencer
A funny look at the news, with lots of amusing video clips,
hosted by Anthony King (UCBT Artistic Director, Reuben Williams)
and Kate Spencer (VH1.com, member of stellar improv troupe Reuben Williams).
Tonight's razor-sharp panelists are Peter Gwinn (writer for The Colbert Report), Anthony Atamanuik (star improv troupe Death By Roo Roo), Julie Klausner (Obsessed, Wasp Cove), and Streeter Seidell (CollegeHumor.com).
9:30 pm at UCBT, 307 West 26th Street (off 8th Avenue); tickets are $5
vs. 
Cage Match: Ben Rodgers vs. LD & the Scientist
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.
(For a spirited weekly report on the wrestling aspect of Cage Match, please click here.)
In an historic upset, after trouncing 17 troupes in a row—handily breaking the previous Cage Match winning streak record of 14 set by Optimist International in 2002—champion improv group Death by Roo Roo was finally defeated last week, in a close vote of 92-83...by a single improvisor.