NYC Top Comedy Choices for Thursday 12/31/09

December 31, 2009

For recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
this New Year’s Eve, please visit HyReviews.com.


For recommendations for the best in New York City comedy
this New Year’s Eve, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Wed. 12/30/09

December 30, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Some of the most brilliant storytellers in NYC bid a fond farewell to comedy genius Curtis Gwinn (who's leaving for fame & fortune in LA) at a very special edition of The Nights of Our Lives

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] 7:00 pm to midnight: Five free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm ($42 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up comedy superstar completing his headlining run tonight (with Amy Schumer) at Carolines: Dave Attell

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Saturday Night Live’s Jenny Slate & her comedy partner Gabe Liedman, always inventive & surreal Jon Daly (Cracked Out, Mystery Team), and Gabe Delahaye (writer/editor of Videogum.com) joining hilarious hosts Joe Mande and Noah Garfinkel at Totally J/K

[FREE] 8:00: NYC stand-ups Bruce Cherry, Colin Dempsey, Vicki Ferentinos, Rob Gorden, Pat O’Shea, and Gerard Mignone performing at this free weekly show hosted by Sharon Spell and Emmy Rivera: Shrink

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm: Saturday Night Live’s Jenny Slate, musical improv beatbox genius Reggie Watts (Jimmy Fallon, The Electric Company), Kumail Nanjiani (David Letterman, Comedy Central), Rory Scovel, and Andy Haynes performing at a free weekly comedy show at Brooklyn’s Cameo (behind Lovin’ Cup) hosted by Gabe Liedman and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): One of the finest comedic storytelling shows in the country, in which brilliant writer/performers—who tonight are Curtis Gwinn, Chris Gethard, Anthony Atamanuik, Brian Finkelstein, and wonderful host David Martin—tell tales that are brutally honest and utterly hilarious, with tonight’s special theme a farewell to comedy genius Curtis Gwinn (Death by Roo Roo, Adult Swim), who’s leaving us to pursue fame and fortune in LA: The Nights of Our Lives

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:30 pm ($50 ticket; plus $12 min. if you sit at a table): A comic who’s been a movie star and singer, and has experienced a roller coaster career but remains a performer unlike any other, doing a new show with her band at Joe’s Pub through New Year’s Eve: Sandra Bernhard

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($10 online using code DEAL, plus 2-item min.): A monthly gathering of top comedy talent—tonight including musical improv beatbox genius Reggie Watts (Jimmy Fallon, The Electric Company), Christian Finnegan (three Comedy Central specials, commentator on MNBC’s Countdown with Keith Oberman and VH1’s Best Week Ever; Chappelle’s Show, The Today Show),
Wyatt Cenac (correspondent for The Daily Show), Sean Patton, James Harris, and Rob O’Reilly—performing at ComedyJuice

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Host Justin Purnell (The Colbert Report) providing as many as a dozen guests packed into 75 minutes performing stand-up, improv, sketch, 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; and this is often one of the most amazing comedy shows in town. Come support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises, that this uniquely organic rollercoaster of a show makes possible—and don’t forget to toss $1 in the bucket on your way out: School Night

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Tuesday 12/29/09

December 29, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Sandra Bernhard continues her comedy & music show tonight at Joe's Pub

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] 7:00 pm ($5): Star Trek episodes made up on the spot at the new PIT improv show Start-Trekkin’ New York

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm ($42 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up comedy superstar headlining through Wednesday (with Amy Schumer) at Carolines: Dave Attell

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Sharp stand-ups Jena Friedman, Claudia Cogan, Elon James White, Anthony DeVito, and H. Alan Scott performing roughly 140 recent literary achievements at this unique new reading event hosted by Jackie Monahan and Shawn Hollenbach: The Twitter Reading Series

8:00 pm to midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes The Bishop, Scootch, Robber Baron, Ragnaröck, and People People, and (the probable highlight) UCBT troupe Wildhorn! performing two entirely improvised musicals—all at Harold Night

8:30 pm ($5): John O’Donnell tells lots of comedic stories in his long-running one-man show The O’Donnellogues

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Musical improv beatbox genius Reggie Watts, The Daily Show correspondents Wyatt Cenac and Aasif Mandvi, and Greg Barris (host of Heart of Darkness) performing at The Slipper Room for this LES weekly show hosted by the wonderful Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:30 pm ($50 ticket; plus $12 min. if you sit at a table): A comic who’s been a movie star and singer, and has experienced a roller coaster career but remains a performer unlike any other, doing a new show with her band at Joe’s Pub through New Year’s Eve: Sandra Bernhard

[FREE] 11:00 pm: Free open-mic stand-up show that’s seldom much fun for audience members but is a nice opportunity if you want 4-5 minutes to test out your comedy material on stage: Bring It

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Monday 12/28/09

December 28, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Sandra Bernhard demonstrates she's still one-of-a-kind tonight through New Year's Eve at Joe's Pub

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:

6:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): 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

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm ($42 & 2-item min.): A stand-up comedy superstar headlining through Wednesday (with Amy Schumer) at Carolines: Dave Attell

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis, and Broadway & off-Broadway stars Kevin Carolan (Chicago, Pardon My English!, HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm), Kate Meister (The Clean House, Picnic), Sandy Rustin (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Comedy Central’s The Scariest Show on TV), and Julie Sharbutt (Shakespeare In The Park: Twelfth Night), mixing it up with some of the best improvisors in the world—Michael Delaney, Becky Drysdale, and Andy Secunda—as they crash improv into classic theatre scenes at actor/director Stephen Ruddy’s Gravid Water

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($5 & 2-item min.): NYC stand-ups—who tentatively include such brilliant comics as Anthony Jeselnik, Reggie Watts, Kumail Nanjiani, and Wyatt Cenac—auditioning before an NBC late-night booker for a gig that would give any one of them a bright, shining credit for the rest of their comedy careers: The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien Auditions

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:30 pm ($50 ticket; plus $12 min. if you sit at a table): A comic who’s been a movie star and singer, and has experienced a roller coaster career but remains a performer unlike any other, doing a new show with her band at Joe’s Pub through New Year’s Eve: Sandra Bernhard

[$] 9:30 pm ($29 & 2-drink min.): Rich Vos starred on two seasons of Last Comic Standing; has performed a very popular Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; was a regular on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn; was the first white comic on Def Jam; wrote for Chris Rock; played Lenny Bruce on NBC’s American Dreams; was an unlikely guest on The View; is a regular on the Opie and Anthony radio show; and is headlining tonight at Carolines at Rich Vos & Friends

9:30 pm ($5): A small army of UCBT comics looking back at what was awful in 2009—in an annual show that, as if infected by its topic, is traditionally none-too-great itself, but hope springs eternal: The 6th Annual It Sucked! Awards

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: A blowout gathering of some of the finest comics in the country—tonight including the brilliant & hilarious Jessi Klein, Christian Finnegan, Sean Conroy, and Jon Daly—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Conan O’Brien, HBO, Comedy Central) at Whiplash

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Sunday 12/27/09

December 27, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Stand-up superstar Dave Attell headlines tonight through Wednesday at Carolines

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] 7:30 pm ($10) and 9:30 pm [FREE]: UCBT’s signature improv comedy extravaganza, which typically includes stars in the improv world, and sometimes even TV & movie stars such as Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz: ASSSCAT 3000

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($42 & 2-item min.): A stand-up comedy superstar headlining through Wednesday (with Amy Schumer) at Carolines: Dave Attell

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Jessimae Peluso (The Tyra Banks Show, TruTV), Yamaneika (BET), and Adam Lehman (Here! TV’s Hot Gay Comics) performing stand-up at a free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 12/26/09

December 26, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Brilliant improvisors Sean Conroy, Michael Delaney, and (not pictured here) Andy Secunda make a rare appearance tonight as troupe Omelette Vision

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] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Michael Delaney, Sean Conroy, and Andy Secunda (who are all members of legendary troupe The Swarm) make a rare appearance tonight as their own mini-troupe Omelette Vision

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($42 & 2-item min.): A stand-up comedy superstar who’s already sold out tonight’s performances, but is headlining through Wednesday (with Amy Schumer) at Carolines: Dave Attell

[$] 8:00 pm ($15 & 2-item min.): The Raspberry Brothers continuing the tradition of Mystery Science Theater 3000 by providing live comedic commentary on films at the elegant Comix Comedy Club, with tonight’s victim a modern holiday classic: Home Alone

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): The gutsiest comedy troupe in NYC, genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King: Reuben Williams

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 12/25/09

December 25, 2009

There are no NYC comedy recommendations for Christmas;
most of the usual suspects are closed, and the rest are running less-than-stellar shows.
But please tune in here again on Saturday for the resumption of top comedy picks.

Meanwhile, consider seeing a funny and/or musical Broadway,
off-Broadway, or off-off-Broadway show.
To learn how theatre tickets can be purchased for around 50% off—
or, in some cases, for as little as $3.50 each—
please read Hy on Theatre Discounts.

And one more thing:

Hope you enjoy thoroughly happy holidays.

Love,

Hy


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Thursday 12/24/09

December 24, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Brilliant comedy stars Janeane Garofalo and Todd Barry headline a superb lineup of comics at The 12th Night of Chanukah

Most comedy venues are dark tonight for Christmas Eve (or to celebrate Senate passage of the health bill); but here’s one show of special note:

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($12): Comedy stars Janeane Garofalo and Todd Barry, plus brilliant comics Sean Patton, Jon Glaser, Joe Mande, and Rob Paravonian, perform stand-up at 92Y Tribeca’s Comedy Below Canal for a show with a playful attitude: The 12th Night of Chanukah

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Wed. 12/23/09

December 23, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Brilliant character comic Kate McKinnon performs her one-woman show for the last time tonight at UCBT: Best Actress

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] [$] 7:00 pm ($15 ticket; plus $12 drink-food min. if you sit at a table): Tales of Jewishness from brilliant stand-up Jessi Klein (Comedy Central, Punch Up Your Life), Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling (Howard Stern), Jordan Carlos (Colbert Report), DC Benny (Comedy Central), Aaron Kheifets (The Onion), and Peter Hyman (The Reluctant Metrosexual) performing in Joe’s Pub at HEEB Storytelling

[FREE] 7:00 pm to midnight: Five free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday

8:00 pm ($5): One of NYC’s treasures, master sketch comic Kurt Braunohler, stretching himself by performing a one-man show that’s a mix of stand-up, storytelling, and—the highlight—interacting with the audience at Autumn at the Chuckle Shack

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm: Saturday Night Live’s Jenny Slate, Joe Mande, Claudia Cogan, and Colin Jost performing at a free weekly comedy show at Brooklyn’s Cameo (behind Lovin’ Cup) hosted by Gabe Liedman and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Brilliant character performer Kate McKinnon (co-star of Logo’s Big Gay Sketch Show) playing five very different actresses waiting to hear which of them won an Oscar (keep an eye out for the old lady, who’s one of the funniest characters you’ll see this year, anywhere); and Greg Tuculescu playing five very different immigrants, in the double-bill Best Actress and F@#&ing Foreigners!

[$] 9:30 pm ($20 & 2-drink min.): Rich Vos starred on two seasons of Last Comic Standing; has performed a very popular Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; was a regular on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn; was the first white comic on Def Jam; wrote for Chris Rock; played Lenny Bruce on NBC’s American Dreams; was an unlikely guest on The View; is a regular on the Opie and Anthony radio show; and is headlining tonight at Carolines at Rich Vos & Friends

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Host Justin Purnell (The Colbert Report) providing as many as a dozen guests packed into 75 minutes performing stand-up, improv, sketch, 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; and this is often one of the most amazing comedy shows in town. Come support the experimentation, and periodic magical surprises, that this uniquely organic rollercoaster of a show makes possible—and don’t forget to toss $1 in the bucket on your way out: School Night

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Tuesday 12/22/09

December 22, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

God's Pottery (Wilson Hall's & Krister Johnson's delightful parody of a Christian folk singing duo who were shining stars on Last Comic Standing) help Seth Herzog and friends celebrate the holidays tonight at Sweet

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:

7:00 pm ($5): “Where there is a stage and a piano, she will be there. Where there are strangers with embarrassing stories, she will be there. Where there is a group of people willing to sit and watch someone make up songs, she will be there. A one-woman musical improv journey through the lives of the audience. You tell the story, Rebecca Vigil sings the soundtrack:” The Vigilante

7:00 pm ($5): John O’Donnell tells lots of comedic stories in his long-running one-man show The O’Donnellogues

[$] 8:00 pm ($20 & 2-item min.): Musical improv beatbox genius Reggie Watts is among the guests for this comedic holiday celebration at the elegant Comix Comedy Club hosted by a YouTube star who enjoys playing oddball characters: John Roberts’ Holiday Show

8:00 pm to midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Bastian, DeCoster, Badman, The Law Firm, and Penthouse Riot followed by UCBT troupe Wildhorn! improvising a musical—all at Harold Night

8:30 pm ($5): “Jon Bander has always believed himself great at something. These are the moments where he found out what that something wasn’t. A one-show about being comfortable in your own skin by a guy who, despite glaring flaws, has always loved himself:” Delusions of Bander

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Star pseudo Christian acoustic duo God’s Pottery (Last Comic Standing), Jon Friedman (Jimmy Fallon, The Rejection Show), Nick Stevens (VH1, Bravo, AMC, E!), and “special surprise guests” performing at The Slipper Room for this LES weekly show hosted by the wonderful Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet

9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Delightful stand-up comics Leah Dubie, Amy Beckerman, Jackie Monahan, and Gloria Bigelow performing and hosting guest comics Lisa Kaplan, Selena Coppock, Patricia Villetto, and Chewy in Ochi’s Lounge at Dykes on Mics

9:30 pm ($8): “A 17-person middle school talent show created and performed by two people—Jo Firestone and Dylan Marron—who like themselves more now that they’re older. A comedic tribute to the best three years of our lives, and a comedic play for anyone who ever thought it couldn’t get any better than prank calls and slow-dancing:” Ridgefield Middle School Talent Nite

[FREE] 11:00 pm: Free open-mic stand-up show that’s seldom much fun for audience members but is a nice opportunity if you want 4-5 minutes to test out your comedy material on stage: Bring It

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.