NYC Top Comedy Choices for Thursday 5/21/09

May 21, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

For photo & video mini-profile of Jenny Slate, please click here.

Jenny Slate

Jenny Slate

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] a one-woman show from Jenny Slate (one of the most unique and intriguing comics in NYC, who co-hosts acclaimed weekly comedy show Big Terrific), plus an SF-themed show from sketch comedy duo BriTANicK, in Dead Millionaire and The Infinity Prison (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] brilliant improvisors Tara Copeland and James Eason leading a semi-revival of legendary troupe Mother in this new Magnet show: Sleepover (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] Adira Amram (brilliantly funny, sexy, rising star writer/singer), Giulia Rozzi (VH1, co-host of Stripped Stories), Jackie Monahan (here! TV’s Hot Gay Comics; co-host of Dykes on Mics), Val Kappa (Comedy Central, Adult Swim), Charlie Kasov (FOX), and Nick Vatterott (Chicago Hilarity) performing at a weekly variety show in the East Village hosted by sharp dark comedy stand-up Jena Friedman: Entertaining the Bartender (8:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] movie and TV superstar Janeane Garofalo hosting a comedy show with guests Jon Glaser, Lee Camp, Paul Dinello, Jamie Kilstein, and more at Comedy Below Canal: Janeane Garofalo and Friends (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] Dave Hill demonstrating he’s one of the sharpest, freshest, funniest comics around—accompanied this evening by guests Ira Glass (host of This American Life) and Brooklyn music band Takka Takka—at The Dave Hill Explosion (9:30 pm),

[$] a provocative comedy star who’s written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle’s Show and David Letterman, tonight headlining at Carolines: Paul Mooney (10:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] and two vibrant improv troupes, Death by Roo Roo and Penthouse Riot, in a battle of titans to win audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

For photo & video mini-profile of Jenny Slate, please click here.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Wednesday 5/20/09

May 20, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Moby

Moby

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] music superstar Moby, youngest staff writer in history of Saturday Night Live Simon Rich, stand-up Mike Weiss, and more at a live broadcast of the WFMU radio show 7 Second Delay (6:00 pm),

[FREE] six free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday (6:00 pm-midnight),

[TOP PICK] stellar comedic storytellers Charlie Sanders (genius storytelling one-man show Minnesota Muslim; Conan O’Brien, star improv troupes Reuben Williams and C, C + C Improv Factory), Adam Pally (ABC, MTV, Comedy Central, star improv troupes Death by Roo Roo and Hot Sauce), Andy Christie (The New York Times; Moth GrandSlam Champion; author of book I Wasn’t Kidding; host of The Liar Show), Melanie Hamlett (Moth StorySlam Champion), and Ben Kissel (The Brain and the Beast podcast)—plus live accordion music by Michelle Leona, and a quiz for a free bottle of wine—at a show hosted by the razor-sharp and immensely talented Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Champion, UCBT) in which top comics and storytellers reveal odd aspects of themselves: Sideshow Goshko (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] sharp stand-ups Roger Hailes (Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, Chappelle’s Show, VH1), Katina Corrao (VH1’s Best Week Ever, HBO, Comedy Central), Jiwon Lee (Comedy Central, AMC, ESPN), and Brent Sullivan at a free weekly Brooklyn extravaganza hosted by Jenny Slate, Gabe Liedman, and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:00ish pm),

[FREE] Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central), Nick Turner (VH1, ESPN, Too Cool for School), Raquel D’Apice (The Ugly Volvo), H. Alan Scott (here! TV’s Hot Gay Comics), and Ryan McKee (Modest Proposal magazine) at a free weekly comedy show hosted by Matt Maragno & the luminous Margie Kment: Now We’re Talking (8:00 pm),

[FREE] NYC stand-ups Myq Kaplan, Hardcore Boris, Sue Funke, Judy Ortiz, Pat O’Shea, and Troy Bynum at a free show hosted by Sharon “Mama” Spell: Shrink (8:00 pm),

comics, writers, and others telling tales of their worst NYC experiences in New York Sh*tty (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE COOKIES] Baron Vaughn (Comedy Central, MTV, Cloverfield, Shoot the Messenger), Donald Glover (30 Rock, Conan O’Brien, Derrick, Mystery Team), Gilad Foss (co-host of Night Kitchen), Matt Maragno (co-host of Now We’re Talking), Dan Mahoney, and luminous & lovely host Margie Kment performing a full-blown stand-up comedy show at 10:00 pm, preceded by a wonderful networking event mixing folks from the NYC theatre and comedy scenes—plus intense free homemade chocolate chip cookies baked by Margie that have come to be known as “Stoner Cookies”—all at Hold for the Laughs (9:30 pm party/networking/cookies, 10:00 pm show),

[TOP PICK] an entirely improvised musical from a genius comedy duo, and an improvised soap opera, in the double-bill I Eat Pandas and Hot Lather: As the Diamond Burns (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 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.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Tuesday 5/19/09

May 19, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Wilson Hall & Krister Johnson as God's Pottery

Wilson Hall & Krister Johnson as God's Pottery

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),

comedians getting rid of their stuff by telling tales about the items and then selling to the highest bidder at the way fun Auction! (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] comedians Chris Griggs (TV Land’s Prime Movies) and Jonathan Gabrus (Conan O’Brien, VH1, Spike TV, IFC.com, Tybrus) joining in on a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes DeCoster, Ragnaröck, Scootch, The Scam, and The Bishop—plus a small mob of sharp female improvisors at 11:00 pm for a show titled Suck My Dick, all at Harold Night (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] stellar comics Charlie Sanders (spectacular storytelling one-man show Minnesota Muslim), Ophira Eisenberg (also a world-class storyteller; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime), Jesse Pop (Comedy Central; co-host of weekly stand-up show Beauty Bar Comedy), and more performing at this free show hosted by brilliant stand-ups Jessi Klein (Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN, Adult Swim) and Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1’s Best Week Ever, The New Yorker): Punch Up Your Life (8:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] and God’s Pottery (standouts on this past summer’s Last Comic Standing), Jon Glaser (long-time writer & sketch performer for Conan O’Brien; creator & star of new Adult Swim series Delocated), and “surprise guests” at the wonderful Seth Herzog’s Sweet (9:00 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Monday 5/18/09

May 18, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Charlie Todd, founder of Improv Everywhere and author of new book Creating a Scene

Charlie Todd, founder of Improv Everywhere and author of new book Causing a Scene: Extraordinary Pranks in Ordinary Places

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—tonight including Emily Epstein, Dan St. Germain, RG Daniels, Mark Normand, Myq Kaplan, Luke Cunningham, Aalap Patel, Blaine Perry, Danny Solomon, Sean Donnelly, and John Morrison—at John Morrison’s Ochi’s Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [DISCOUNTED] [$] genius improvisors delivering one of the funniest shows you’ll ever see by making up a play on the spot using the language and themes of the Bard: Improvised Shakespeare (8:00 pm).

[TOP PICK] stellar stand-ups Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, HBO, Comedy Central), Laura Krafft (The Colbert Report, Curb Your Enthusiasm), Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, VH1, The Marijuana-Logues), Rob Paravonian (Comedy Central, VH1), and more at Liam McEneaney’s Tell Your Friends (8:00ish pm),

fresh sketch comedy from UCBT house groups Slow Burn and High Treason at Maude Night (8:00 pm),

[FREE] stand-up comedy in Brooklyn, tonight featuring Ophira Eisenberg, Mark Normand, Chelsea White, Adrienne Iapalucci, Jason Saenz, Jeff Ceruuli, and Erik Braunsteen at Pat O’Shea’s free weekly show Ed Sullivan on Acid (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] and stellar improvisor Charlie Todd (Reuben Williams, C, C + C Improv Factory, Cage Match) hosts the book release show & party for his famed prank collective that stages surprise improvised events at improbable public locations: Improv Everywhere (9:30 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Sunday 5/17/09

May 17, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

The Improvised Shakespeare Company

The Improvised Shakespeare Company

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:

[FREE] sharp stand-ups Morgan Murphy (staff writer for Jimmy Fallon; Comedians of Comedy, Comedy Central; former long-time writer for Jimmy Kimmel), Eric Slovin (writer for Saturday Night Live 2002-2005; Comedy Central Presents), Sean O’Connor (VH1, NPR’s This American Life), and more at a free weekly LES show hosted by Greg Johnson: The Comedians (7:30 pm),

[FREE] terrific comics Donald Glover (30 Rock, Conan O’Brien, Derrick, Mystery Team), Adam Newman (CMT’s Prankville’d, VH1’s Best Week Ever blog, co-host of Street Meat), and more at RG Daniels’ free Sunday Night Stand-Up (8:00 pm),

[$] a charity event to honor “the unsung heroes of the gay community:” The First Annual Miss Fag Hag Pageant (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] Ophira Eisenberg (brilliant storyteller; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime), Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, VH1, The Marijuana-Logues), Phil Hanley (visiting from Vancouver; upcoming comedy special on CTV), and Andy Haynes (Last Comic Standing) at Vince Averill’s & Jesse Popp’s free stand-up show Beauty Bar Comedy (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [DISCOUNTED] [$] and brilliant improvisors making up plays on the spot using the language and themes of the Bard: Improvised Shakespeare (10:00 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 5/16/09

May 16, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

John Oliver

John Oliver

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] numerous NYC stand-ups, including Roger Hailes, Jared Logan, Dan St. Germain, and Pat Stango & Blaine Perry, telling jokes and celebrating the host’s birthday—with a party to follow—at Sean Donnelly’s Lil’ Seany Boy (7:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] star improvisation from writers & performers at 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball (7:30 pm),

Roman Rimer telling the true story of transitioning from gal to guy in this new one-person show: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Trannies * But Were Afraid to Ask (7:30 pm),

[$] comedy genius Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1’s Best Week Ever, The New Yorker) opening for TV & movie star TJ Miller (David Letterman, ABC’s Carpoolers, film star), who’s Headlining at Gotham Comedy Club (8:00 pm & 10:00 & 11:45 pm),

[$] the revival of a popular comedic play, smarty directed by the wonderful Kimmy Gatewood and with a standout performance from actress Lee Eddy: Kidnapped by Craigslist (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 this year delivered a magnificent performance to capture the Cage Match Championship—the brilliant and daring members of Death by Roo Roo (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] star comics John Oliver (head correspondent of The Daily Show, genius stand-up) and Jessi Klein (Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN,Adult Swim), rising stars Baron Vaughn (Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, Shoot the Messenger, Awkward Kings of Comedy), Amy Schumer, and Lucas Held, popular singer/songwriter PT Walkley, and more—plus free beer!—at acclaimed monthly comedy showcase Moonwork (9:00 pm),

organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track! (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] inventive & hilarious sketch comedy from The Harvard Sailing Team (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [DISCOUNTED] brilliant improvisors making up plays on the spot using the language and themes of the Bard: Improvised Shakespeare (10:00 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—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer (10:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] and a comedy show about the advertising biz, tonight featuring razor-sharp comics & ad veterans (Comedy Central, VH1’s Best Week Ever, The New Yorker), John Gemberling (Fat Guy Stuck in Internet, Death by Roo Roo), and Oren Brimer (SuperDeluxe.com, YouTube.com), and hosted by Greg Johnson (President Johnson) and Sam Brown (The Whitest Kids U’ Know): Ad Nauseam (midnight).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 5/15/09

May 15, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Jen Nails

Jen Nails

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] Jen Nails performing a 40-minute one-woman show about an “exuberant sixth-grader” Time Out New York called “explosively funny:” Lylice (7:00 pm),

[$] the revival of a popular comedic play, smartly directed by the wonderful Kimmy Gatewood and with a standout performance from actress Lee Eddy: Kidnapped by Craigslist (8:00 pm),

[FREE] NYC stand-ups Joselyn Hughes (in her final NYC appearance for a while, as she’s moving to LA to blog for Comedy Central’s Tosh.O), Craig Baldo (Conan O’Brien, NBC, VH1, Comedy Central), Dan Curry (Comedy Central), Kenny Zimlinghaus (host of Cosmo Radio on Sirius), Lucas Held, Kevin Williams, Scott Moran, and Matt Rittberg at this free weekly show in Brooklyn hosted by Cassidy Henehan and Nick Turner: Too Cool for School (8:00 pm),

[$] comedy genius Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1’s Best Week Ever, The New Yorker) opening for TV & movie star TJ Miller (David Letterman, ABC’s Carpoolers, film star), who’s Headlining at Gotham Comedy Club (8:30 pm & 10:30 pm),

NYC stand-up comics 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),

[TOP PICK] [DISCOUNTED] brilliant improvisors making up plays on the spot using the language and themes of the Bard: Improvised Shakespeare (10:00 pm),

singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical (10:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] a sketch show (with some improv thrown in) that just won its superb stars the 2009 ECNY Award for Best Sketch Comedy Group: Derrick (11:00 pm),

[FREE] 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.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Thursday 5/14/09

May 14, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Battle of Improv Titans: Death by Roo Roo vs. Reuben Williams

Battle of Improv Titans: Death by Roo Roo vs. Reuben Williams

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] an hour-long play made up on the spot by razor-sharp, passionate improvisors Scott Adsit (30 Rock, Moral Orel) and Christina Gausas (Conan O’Brien, The Colbert Report) at Adsit & Gausas (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] superb improvisors Tara Copeland and James Eason leading a semi-revival of legendary troupe Mother in this new Magnet show: Sleepover (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] Adira Amram, Ophira Eisenberg, Tom McCaffrey, Carla Rhodes, Brent Sullivan, and Chris Sifflet at a free weekly variety show in the East Village hosted by sharp dark comedy stand-up Jena Friedman: Entertaining the Bartender (8:30 pm),

[$] star comics Dave Attell, Greg Giraldo, Marina Franklin, Jessica Kirson, Paul Mercurio, and more performing—though not all on the same lineups—at Comedy Cellar (9:00 pm & 11:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] DC Pierson (brilliant improvisor, sketch comic, filmmaker, and book author; Derrick, Mystery Team), Christina Andrews, and musical guest Thin Skin Jonny performing at the best sexy storytelling comedy show in NYC: Margot Leitman’s & Giulia Rozzi’s Stripped Stories (9:30),

[TOP PICK] [DISCOUNTED] brilliant improvisors making up plays on the spot using the language and themes of the Bard: Improvised Shakespeare (10:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] and two of the finest improv troupes ever, Death by Roo Roo and Reuben Williams, in a battle of titans to win audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Wednesday 5/13/09

May 13, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Beloved fake newspaper The Onion is the focus of tonight's Rejection Show

Beloved fake newspaper The Onion is the focus of tonight's Rejection Show

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:

[FREE] six free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday (6:00 pm-midnight),

[TOP PICK] stellar storyteller Adam Wade and comic Jake Goldman hosting a show in which top writers and comedians—who tonight are Brad Lawrence, Phaea Crede, Jennifer Glick, and Molly McCloy—share their favorite true campus anecdotes at Real Tales of College (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] an entirely improvised musical from genius comedy duo Eliza Skinneer and Glennis McMurray: I Eat Pandas (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] some of the top comics in NYC—Jessi Klein (Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN, Adult Swim), DC Benny (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), Chris Gethard (brilliant comedic storyteller & improvisor; The Stepfathers, The Nights of Our Lives, Magic Box of Stories, Weird New York), Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central, award-winning Verizon FIOS guy), and Craig Baldo (Conan O’Brien, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central)—gathered to celebrate Gabe Liedman’s birthday at a free weekly Brooklyn extravaganza hosted by Gabe, Jenny Slate, and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:00ish pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] Donald Glover (30 Rock, Derrick), Giulia Rozzi (VH1, Stripped Stories), Sean O’Connor (VH1, NPR’s This American Life), Jonathan Morvay, and Matthew Rittberg at a free weekly comedy show hosted by Matt Maragno & the luminous Margie Kment: Now We’re Talking (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] terrific stand-ups Jon Fisch, Moody McCarthy, Giulia Rozzi, Matt Ruby, Robin Cloud, and The Bitter Poet at a free show hosted by Sharon “Mama” Spell: Shrink (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] a show showcasing rejected material by top writers and comedic performers, tonight focusing on beloved weekly fake newspaper The Onion: Jon Friedman’s The Rejection Show (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 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.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Tuesday 5/12/09

May 12, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Baron Vaughn

Baron Vaughn

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),

Hilary Schwartz and Rachael Parenta hosting an intriguing new show described as “emotionally inappropriate comedy:” Please, Someone Kill Me (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] artist Scott Campbell (DoubleFine Action Comics) joining in on a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Robber Baron, The Bishop, The Scam, The Law Firm, and Scootch—plus a small mob of sharp female improvisors at 11:00 pm for a show titled Suck My Dick, all at Harold Night (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] typically stellar stand-up comics performing at this free show hosted by brilliant stand-ups Jessi Klein (Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN, Adult Swim) and Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1’s Best Week Ever, The New Yorker): Punch Up Your Life (8:30 pm),

[DISCOUNTED] NYC stand-ups Victor Varnado (Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central, NBC’s My Name is Earl, Adult Swim), DJ Hazard (cast member of Fuel TV’s American Misfits), Matt Higgins (Comedy Central, Burn Manhattan, Centralia), Sean Crespo (Comedy Central), and more at John Morrison’s Morrison Motel (8:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] star stand-up Todd Barry (David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central Presents, HBO, Adult Swim), Baron Vaughn (Comedy Central, MTV, Cloverfield, Shoot the Messenger), and more at the wonderful Seth Herzog’s Sweet (9:00 pm),

and sharp NYC stand-ups Sharon Mama Spell, Chesslee Calloway, Liz Simons, and Adam Lehman joining delightful hosts Jackie Monahan, Leah Dubie, Amy Beckerman, and Gloria Bigelow at Dykes on Mics (9:00 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.