Best New York Comedy

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Doug Benson

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] the debut of a superb comedy concert film (that I saw when it was originally shot) with stellar stand-ups Eric André, Hannibal Buress, Marina Franklin, Victor Varnado, and Baron Vaughn: The Awkward Kings of Comedy (7:00 pm & 9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] Leo Allen (upcoming HBO miniseries, writer for Saturday Night Live 2002-2005, two Comedy Central Presents specials, host of Whiplash), Jena Friedman (host of Entertaining the Bartender), Allison Castillo (Comedy Central, VH1, BBC), Blaine Perry & Pat Stango (hosts of Don’t Touch Me There), and Matt Ruby (host of We’re All Friends Here), and Rachael Parenta at NYC stand-ups 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),

[TOP PICK] [$] one of the sharpest stand-up comics in the world—who became a star on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and in 2007 released his version of consumer reporting via a pothead documentary titled Super High Me—headlining at Carolines through Sunday: Doug Benson (8:00 pm & 10:30 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),

[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] superb sketch comics, stand-ups, and comedic storytellers—Kevin Allison (HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, VH1’s Best Week Ever, Comedy Central’s Reno 911, legendary MTV sketch show The State), Melanie Hamlett (stellar & unique storyteller; Moth StorySlam Champion), and many more—telling funny, poignant, and at times unforgettable tales about their relatives at a monthly show hosted by gorgeous rising star Sara Benincasa (CNN, MTV, The Sarah Palin Vlogs): Family Hour (9:00 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 (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] improvised furious action from world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [DISCOUNTED] comedy stars Big Jay Oakerson (Comedy Central Presents, HBO, Showtime), Rob Cantrell, and more performing at a no-cover show (if you use code HyReviews) at the Eastville Comedy Club (11:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] The Raspberry Brothers—Jerm Pollet, Johnny McNulty, and Aaron Glaser—making funny remarks about a Hollywood feature film screened in an actual movie theatre, with tonight’s victim being Terminator (midnight),

[TOP PICK] three sharp NYC sketch troupes—Murderfist, Free Love Forum, and New Excitement—each performing one of their most popular bits and one of their personal favorites in the fun sketch revue A-Side/B-Side (midnight),

[$] and 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, headlining at Carolines: Paul Mooney (12:30 am).

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