February 13, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Judah Friedlander
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
a world-class improvisor and utterly unique comic trying out his special brand of silliness in a solo show (on a double-bill with character comic Nick Ross): Eugene Cordero (6:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] a star stand-up comic who’s a cast member on the smash hit sitcom 30 Rock, has also performed on Jay Leno, HBO, VH1, and MTV, and is headlining tonight and Saturday at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Judah Friedlander (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
stand-ups Amy Beckerman, H. Alan Scott, Michael Brill, Bob Smith, and Soce the Elemental Wizard at a gay-themed comedy show hosted by Jenny Rubin: The Back Room (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] 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),
[TOP PICK] a comedic freestyle rap contest, tonight including brilliant comics Jessica Delfino, Livia Scott, Victor Varnado, Rob Cantrell, and Billy Scafuri, hosted by genius comedic musical hosts Chris “Shockwave” Sullivan (Freestyle Love Supreme) and Eliza Skinner (I Eat Pandas), at The BEATdown (11:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] and UCBT’s free monthly open-mic stand-up show, where deliciously odd things tend to happen around 1:30 am, hosted by lightning-quick & hilarious Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1; one of the finest comics in the country) at Gutbucket (12:20ish am).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
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Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: 30 Rock, Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan, Chris Sullivan, Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Judah Friedlander, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Shockwave, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade |
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Posted by hybender
February 12, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Margot Leitman and Giulia Rozzi, hosts of Stripped Stories
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
Leslie Goshko debuting a one-woman show focused around an award-winning memorable character, plus a second premiere about which I know nothing, in the double-bill S.C.A.B.S. Stick Together and Slam Dunk Michael Jordan (6:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] Ann Carr doing a one-woman show about the crap New York actresses endure, and brilliant Dominic Dierkes (member of star comedy troupe Derrick) performing a one-man sketch show, in the double-bill Use ItAdventure River and (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] top NYC comics Kurt Braunohler, Matt McCarthy, Jiwon Lee, Greg Johnson, and Craig Baldo at a free weekly Brooklyn extravaganza hosted by Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate, and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:00ish pm),
[TOP PICK] Tom Shillue (Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents), Jiwon Lee (Comedy Central, AMC, ESPN), and stellar singer/songwriter Ben Lerman as guests on the best sexy storytelling comedy show in NYC: Margot Leitman’s & Giulia Rozzi’s Stripped Stories (9:30),
sexy & hilarious singer/songwriter Jessica Delfino hosting a monthly comedy show, with tonight’s guests including brilliant stand-up Victor Varnado, ventriloquist Carla Rhodes, Rosie Rebel, and more at The Jessica Delfino Dirty Folk Rock Show (10:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] and two vibrant improv troupes, Hot Sauce and Bangs, competing for audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
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Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade |
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Posted by hybender
February 11, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Sexy, multi-talented, hilarious Adira Amram
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
five free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday (7:00 pm-midnight),
[TOP PICK] stellar storyteller Adam Wade and comic Jake Goldman hosting a show in which top writers and comedians—who tonight are Kambri Crews (Comix, Family Hour, The Moth), Margot Leitman (Conan O’Brien, Stripped Stories), and Rob Lathan (Conan O’Brien, The Colbert Report)—share their favorite campus anecdotes in Real Tales of College (7:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] brilliantly funny, sexy rising star Adira Amram combining hilarious original songs, dancing, and spoofing of female sexuality with incredible physical energy—and tonight featuring backup dancers and rockin’ band The Experience—at Adira Amram is an American Idol (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] one of the finest concept comics around, Dave Hill tonight apparently spoofs Tyler Perry’s new feature film in Dave Hill’s Madea Goes to Jail (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] a comedic excavation of teen angst artifacts (journals, letters, poems, and more) as shared by their original authors in the hit storytelling show Mortified (8:00 pm),
stellar comedic singer/songwriter Shayna Ferm, plus stand-ups Dan Hirshon, Colin Dempsey, Emmy Rivera, Paul Oddo, and Jermaine Fowler, at the free Shrink (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] some of the finest stand-ups in NYC—Anthony Jeselnik, Andrea Rosen, Todd Levin, and Chris Jurek—performing in Brooklyn at a free show hosted by the hilarious Joe Mande & Noah Garfinkel: Totally J/K (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and a free, laid-back, and occasionally magical variety show where virtually anything can happen on a School Night (11:00).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
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Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Adira Amram, Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade |
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Posted by hybender
February 10, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Eugene Mirman's Just-Published Humor Book
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
the perfect show for short attention spans—open-mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours—at John Morrison’s Broadway Motel (6:00 pm),
a dozen NYC stand-ups—including Mark Normand, Matt Ruby, and Chelsea Calloway—competing for audience laughs and votes at Eric I’s Comedy Showdown (7:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] comic book writer Tony Lee (Dr. Who, Spider-Man) joining in on a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),
three full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Ragnaröck, The Law Firm, Bastian, The Scam, and Bangs—at Harold Night (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] genius TV & film comedy stars John Oliver (correspondent of The Daily Show, Comedy Central special Terrifying Times), Kristen Schaal (co-star of HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, correspondent for The Daily Show), and more brilliant comics come to Brooklyn to celebrate Eugene Mirman’s just-published humor book at The Will to Whatevs Book Release Party! (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] brilliant star stand-ups Todd Barry (David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, HBO, Comedy Central, The Wrestler), Leo Allen (writer for Saturday Night Live 2002-2005, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central), Thomas Middleditch (rising star improv & character performer), Lee Camp (Comedy Central), DJ Hazard (American Misfits), and more at John Morrison’s Morrison Motel (8:30 pm),
fine NYC stand-ups joining delightful hosts Jackie Monahan, Leah Dubie, Amy Beckerman, and Gloria Bigelow at Dykes on Mics (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] and superb comics David Wain (member of legendary MTV sketch show The State and comedy group Stella), Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show), Claudia Cogan (downtown comic icon), and Craig Baldo (Conan O’Brien, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central) at the wonderful Seth Herzog’s Sweet (9:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
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Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Eugene Mirman, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, John Oliver, Kristen Schaal, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade |
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Posted by hybender
February 9, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Zach Galifianakis and Kristen Schaal
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
the perfect show for short attention spans—open-mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours, at John Morrison’s Ochi’s Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] genius comedy duo Kristen Schaal (co-star of HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, correspondent for The Daily Show) & Kurt Braunohler (Penelope, Princess of Pets; ECNY Award winner), Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show), guitar comic Rob Paravonian (Comedy Central, VH1), ventriloquist Carla Rhodes, star songwriter Eytan Mirsky, and more at Liam McEneaney’s free Tell Your Friends (8:00ish pm),
three hours of fresh new sketch comedy by talented young UCBT writer/performers at Maude Night (8:00 pm & 9:30 pm),
brilliant, sexy comedic singer/songwriter Jessica Delfino (I Wanna Be Famous YouTube star), Peter Grosz (writer for The Colbert Report), Pat Stango (Don’t Touch Me There), Charles Star (Adult Education), and more performing at a free weekly variety show in Brooklyn hosted by the razor-sharp Jena Friedman: Entertaining the Bartender (8:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and a free weekly show featuring some of the finest comics in the country—who tonight include movie & TV comedy stars Zach Galifianakis (David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, Adult Swim, Comedians of Comedy), Kristen Schaal (co-star of HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, correspondent for The Daily Show…and racing over from her gig at tonight’s Tell Your Friends), Eugene Mirman (HBO, Comedy Central, Adult Swim)—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central) at Whiplash (11:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
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Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Eugene Mirman, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Jessica Delfino, Kristen Schaal, Leo Allen, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade, Zach Galifianakis |
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Posted by hybender
February 8, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Jim Norton
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] UCBT’s playground for celebrities and ace improvisors, ASSSSCAT 3000 (paid show at 7:30 pm, free show at 9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] a veteran comedy star (Opie & Anthony, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, HBO) headlining at Carolines Comedy Club: Jim Norton (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] razor-sharp stand-ups Joe DeRosa (Comedy Central, Carson Daly), Jon Fisch (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson), and more at RG Daniels’ free Sunday Night Stand-Up (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] also razor-sharp stand-ups DC Benny (Last Comic Standing finalist, Comedy Central Presents, The Chris Rock Show), Chelsea Peretti (Comedy Central, Variety SHAC), Kumail Nanjiani (Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report), and more from hosts Greg Johnson and Jacqueline Novak at President Johnson (8:00 pm),
typically stellar stand-up comics joining comedy giants Eugene Mirman & Michael Showalter—winners of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Hosts—for their weekly shindig at Brooklyn’s Union Hall: Tearing the Veil of Maya (8:00 pm),
terrific stand-ups Roger Hailes (writer for VH1’s Best Week Ever, Chappelle’s Show, MTV, Bravo, E!), Pat Stango (Don’t Touch Me There), John Knefel ((D)evangelical Comedy, The Huffington Post), and more at Vince Averill’s & Jesse Popp’s free show Beauty Bar Comedy (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] and an all-lesbian lineup with superb comics Kate McKinnon (Logo TV’s The Big Gay Sketch Show, one-woman show Disenchanted), Jackie Monahan (here! TV, Dykes on Mics), Jessica Kirson (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), and Lisa Kaplan (Carolines) at a free gay-themed show hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour (10:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
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Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Jim Norton, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade |
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Posted by hybender
February 7, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Amanda Duarte
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
[TOP PICK] four sharp storytellers—tonight consisting of Dan Allen (terrific stand-up comic who’s performed on Comedy Central, and will be opening for Ted Alexandro later tonight), Martin Dockery (storyteller acclaimed as “fantastic” by The New York Times), Jeff Rudell (Moth GrandSLAM Champion), and Sherri Eldin (stunning actress and singer/songwriter)—trying to mislead the audience at Andy Christie’s The Liar Show (6:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] superb comedic actress Amanda Duarte performing a one-woman show about working in the entertainment biz: Lucky Pink Wonderland (7:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] superb stand-ups Pat Dixon (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson, E!, FOX), Helen Hong (TLC, E!), Jena Friedman (Entertaining the Bartender), and more at Sean Sean Donnelly’s Lil Seany Boy (7:00 pm),
an exciting new NYC show developed at Chicago’s legendary iO theatre in which veteran improvisors create a play on the spot based on audience suggestions: New Play (7:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] 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),
[TOP PICK] a star stand-up comic who’s done two Comedy Central Presents specials, performed on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and The View, and is headlining tonight at the Comix Comedy Club: Ted Alexandro (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
comics experiencing the rush of performing with no clothes on in The Naked Comedy Showcase (8:00 pm),
sharp NYC comics at a free stand-up comedy show hosted by star sketch/improv troupe Derrick in Queens’ Long Island City: This Is New York (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] one of my all-time favorite improv troupes—which in 2008 broke the UCBT improv competition record for winning streaks with 17 triumphs in a row, and recently delivered a magnificent performance to capture the 2009 Cage Match Championship—the brilliant and daring members of Death by Roo Roo (9:00 pm),
organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track! (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] improvised furious action from world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—tonight with free wine and beer, and audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer (10:30 pm),
and a comedy game show about life and trivia: Are You Paying Attention? (midnight).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
1 Comment |
Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade |
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Posted by hybender
February 6, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Ted Alexandro
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 star stand-up comic who’s done two Comedy Central Presents specials, performed on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and The View, and is headlining tonight and Saturday at the Comix Comedy Club: Ted Alexandro (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
hilarious singer/songwriter Ben Lerman, plus stand-ups Gloria Bigelow, Tom Ragu, and Lisa Kaplan, at a gay-themed comedy show hosted by Jenny Rubin: The Back Room (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] 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),
a sketch show (with some improv thrown in) from the superb stars of Derrick (11:00 pm),
and a free opportunity for you to perform sketch on the UCBT stage at Liquid Courage (12:20ish am).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » |
Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, Ted Alexandro, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade |
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Posted by hybender
February 5, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Carolyn Castiglia
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 biggest bang for the buck this evening—three hours packed with UCBT solo performers and sketch comedy groups for a mere $5, including brilliantly funny character chameleons Lennon Parham, Kate McKinnon, and Thomas Middleditch—at the annual UCBT’s Winter Showcase (6:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] brilliant stand-up and white rapper Carolyn Castiglia performing a one-woman show that’s likely to be spectacular—please read my interview with Carolyn by clicking here, and then come see the debut of Brown Ambition (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] genius movie & TV star Kristen Schaal (HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, correspondent for The Daily Show), genius stand-up comic Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1, The New Yorker), stellar writer/performer Patrick Borelli (Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, ESPN, Adult Swim), and more, plus an after-show birthday celebration for Max, at a free weekly Brooklyn extravaganza hosted by Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate, and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:00ish pm),
kinetic new sketch troupe The New Deal in A False Sense of Social Security (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] comedy genius Zach Galifianakis, plus Joe Mande, Jacqueline Novak, Amy Miles, and Amy Sohn joining the fresh, sexy, and razor-sharp gals of Variety Shac (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and two vibrant improv troupes, Hot Sauce and Bastian, competing for audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
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Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Brown Ambition, Carolyn Castiglia, Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Kate McKinnon, Lennon Parham, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, Thomas Middleditch, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade, Variety SHAC, Zach Galifianakis |
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Posted by hybender
February 4, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Justin Purnell
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:
five free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday (7:00 pm-midnight),
[TOP PICK] brilliantly funny and sexy rising star Adira Amram’s unique show combining hilarious original songs, dancing, and spoofing of female sexuality mixed with incredible physical energy—and tonight featuring backup dancers and rockin’ band The Experience—at Adira Amram is an American Idol (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] one of the most razor-sharp and uproariously funny storytellers in the country performing a one-man show that should not be missed: Chris Gethard’s Magic Box of Stories (8:00 pm),
talented stand-ups Joe Pontillo, H. Alan Scott, Adam Lehman, Dan Upham, and Susan Alexander at the free Shrink (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] terrific comics Wyatt Cenac, Chelsea Peretti, Todd Levin, and Will Hines performing in Brooklyn at a free show hosted by the hilarious Joe Mande & Noah Garfinkel: Totally J/K (9:30 pm),
[MEGA-TOP PICK] and what’s likely to be one of the most magical and memorable events of the year, a 5th Anniversary celebration of Justin Purnell’s wonderful weekly comedic variety show, tonight featuring Todd Barry, John Mulaney, Aubrey Plaza, The Buffoons, Krompf, and a breathtaking collection of other comics from Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, HBO, in a blow-out spectacular that may run past midnight and proves anything can happen on a School Night (9:30 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
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Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade |
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Posted by hybender