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Ace storyteller Melanie Hamlett returns from her South American adventures to be the monologist tonight at both editions of UCB Chelsea’s ASSSCAT 3000
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] 4:00 pm: An unusually early walk-in open-mic stand-up show at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City: Face-Plant Comedy Showcase
[FREE] 6:00 pm: “Improvising from life to life, putting things right that once went wrong, kicking ass, and hoping each time that the next kick ass jump will be the kick ass jump home” from troupe IRTE at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City: IRTE: That Kick Ass Time Jump Show
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10) and 9:30 pm [FREE]: UCB Chelsea’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—and tonight features stellar storyteller Melanie Hamlett as the monologist who tells tales serving as the springboard for improv scenes: ASSSCAT 3000
7:30 pm ($5): Improv troupes not affiliated with any comedy school compete at UCB East for audience laughs and votes—and the privilege to go on to perform at the primary Cage Match show at UCB Chelsea—in this show hosted by the delightful Amey Goerlich & Ryan Karels (Krompf): Indie Cage Match
[FREE] 7:30 pm: Sketch, improv, and more at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City from comedy troupe Froduce
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($32.75 & 2-drink min.) Judah Friedlander is a hilarious stand-up and occasional agent of chaos. Judah is a cast member of 30 Rock, and has also performed on VH1’s Best Week Ever, HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, MTV’s Wonder Showzen, and Jay Leno. In addition, Judah has acted in over 20 films, including such hit comedies as Meet the Parents, Zoolander, and Full Grown Men. Judah was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his role in American Splendor. When asked in an interview about his influences, Judah responded: “Audiences. They are often the forgotten ingredient in stand-up comedy. Stand-up is live entertainment, and a live audience is needed. Also, whatever is happening at the moment. I play off of that. The moment is a big influence. If you’re not playing the moment you’re not doing stand-up comedy–someone just reciting material but not responding with what’s going on in the room is not stand-up comedy.” This playful, anarchic, in-the-moment comedy veteran—and author of the book How to Beat Up Anybody—is headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Judah Friedlander
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Todd Barry (David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central Presents, FX’s Louie, HBO’s Flight of the Conchords and Bored to Death, Adult Swim, feature films The Wrestler and Pete Smalls is Dead) and adorable band Supercute! (Rachel Trachtenberg and her young gal pals) performing at The PIT upstairs theatre with host Casey Jost (writer for Jimmy Fallon): Fooling Around with Casey Jost
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Sean Patton (one of the finest stand-ups in the country; killer sets on Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), Jane Borden (former Comedy Editor of Time Out New York, author of I Totally Meant to Do That), Jessimae Peluso (Last Comic Standing, Chelsea Lately, TruTV, Tyra Banks), Greg Warren, Paul Hooper, and Chris Burns performing at RG Daniels’ free weekly show at the Three of Cups lounge (83 First Avenue at 5th Street): Sunday Night Stand-Up
8:00 pm ($5): Dan St. Germain (quick-witted & enormously likeable rising star; Jimmy Fallon, The Electric Company, MTV, VH1), John Early, David Bernstein, and Mallory Schlossberg performing stand-up, storytelling, and more at The Magnet hosted by Willy Appelman: The Willy Appelman Variety Show
9:00 pm ($5): Improv veterans Brandon Gardner, Chelsea Clarke, and Phillip Jackson hosting & performing in a show at UCB East with guest improvisors: Improv Nerds
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Typically stellar stand-ups performing at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Avenue) hosted by the wonderful Hannibal Buress or (if he’s out of town) a guest host: Comedy Night
[FREE] 9:00 pm: Lucas Brothers (Jimmy Fallon), , Ashley Brooke Roberts, Doug Smith, Shalewa Sharpe, and Nick Maritato performing stand-up in the East Village’s Beauty Bar for this free weekly show hosted by Adam Sokol, Brad Austin, and/or Nate Fridson: Comedy at the Beauty Bar
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Sharp Chicago-trained improvisors led by Susan Messing make up scenes at The PIT, with tonight’s guests including Christina Gausas (Conan O’Brien, 30 Rock, Louie): Messing with New York
9:30 pm ($5): Magnet sketch comics performing their best material: Sketch Sundays
[FREE] 9:30 pm: Open-mic stand-up, with four minutes per comic, at The PIT downstairs lounge hosted by Molly Austin & Mike Brown: Vicious Cycle
[FREE] 10:00 pm: Jessimae Peluso (Last Comic Standing, Chelsea Lately, TruTV, Tyra Banks), Leah Bonnema, and Raquel D’Aspice performing stand-up at this free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
10:00 pm ($5): Improv veterans Brandon Gardner, Chelsea Clarke, and Phillip Jackson hosting & performing in a show at UCB East with improvisors taken from the audience…and who may include you: Improv Nerds Jam
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Best New York Comedy 