February 20, 2011
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
If you have a thyroid, or know someone with a thyroid, please consider buying my latest book The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.
- Two of NYC’s finest, Dave Hill and Brooke Van Poppelen, perform stand-up tonight at “It Is It”
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 5:00 pm ($18.50 online using discount code ADVANCE ): One of the very best shows at FringeNYC 2010 was an award-winning comedy from NYC’s own Faye Lane, a luminous storyteller and singer who will charm your socks off—and possibly give you a moon pie to boot—at the Soho Playhouse’s downstairs Huron Club. Please read my review by clicking here, and then take advantage of this revival running Sundays through April 17th to experience the hilarious and unforgettable Faye Lane’s Beauty Shop Stories
6:30 pm ($5): Two shows audition for spots on The Magnet lineup (unfortunately, with no info posted beyond their titles): Sneaky Beatings and LD50
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 7:00 pm: Blowout lineup of wonderful stand-ups & storytellers Dave Hill (one of the most original and hilariously sharp alternative comics in the country; HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, NPR, star of The King of Miami, band Diamondsnake, champion rapper; The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Dave Hill Explosion), Brooke Van Poppelen (brilliant stand-up, writer, and storyteller; blogger for trutV; TLC; co-host of Dive Comedy; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here), Adam Wade (two-time Moth GrandSlam Storytelling Champion (2006 & 2009) and record-breaking 15-time StorySlam Champion; The New York Times Magazine; host of hilarious monthly storytelling extravaganzasReal Tales of College and The Adam Wade show; for Adam’s award-winning tale of being an NBC page on Conan O’Brien, please click here), Mark Normand (co-host of We’re All Friends Here), and Josh Rabinowitz (College Humor) performing at this free LES stand-up show at Pianos hosted by Adam Lowitt (producer at The Daily Show): It Is It
[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 ($7): TV & movie star Kristen Schaal (one of the funniest women alive; shining star correspondent on The Daily Show; co-star of HBO’s Flight of the Conchords; Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; star of UK TV series Penelope: Princess of Pets; co-author of bestselling book The Sexy Book of Sexy Sex), Craig Baldo (Conan O’Brien, VH1), and more performing at Brooklyn’s Union Hall hosted by comedy giant Eugene Mirman: Pretty Good Friends
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($31.25 & 2-drink min.) I had the pleasure of catching this last night. A killer opening set by Julian McCullough (Comedy Central Presents) is followed by Los Vegas-based writer/actress Whitney Cummings, who proves herself to be one of the very finest stand-ups in the country—bold, shrewdly observant about men and women, and lightning-quick with the audience. Whitney’s credits include HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, MTV, TBS, E!, and Chelsea Lately. Don’t miss her headlining this one last evening at Carolines: Julian McCullough and Whitney Cummings
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Seth Herzog (staff comic for Jimmy Fallon; Comedy Central, CBS, VH1, movie star; host of Sweet), Jeffrey Joseph (Jay Leno), Jason Good (Comedy Central), Tom Sibley (creator of SubwayDouchery.com), and Doug Smith (One Trick Pony) performing at RG Daniels’ free weekly show at the Three of Cups East Village lounge: Sunday Night Stand-Up
8:00 pm ($5): Two tough guys from the 1930s will explain the ins and outs of Hollywood at sketch show Listen Kid! ; and comedy duo Jen Sanders & Joel Jones “take the fragile stuff that makes us human and mock it mercilessly in sharp, funny, and tightly-written sketches” in Answer Man
[FREE] 9:00 pm: Kurt Braunohler (Comedy Central; co-creator & co-star of UK TV series Penelope: Princess of Pets; co-host of Hot Tub Variety), DJ Roofeeo, Al Jackson, Dan Soder, Justin Silver, and Damien Lemon performing at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Avenue) hosted by the wonderful Hannibal Buress (staff writer for 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live; David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Louie, Comedy Central): Comedy Night
[FREE] 9:00 pm: Brilliant singer/songwriter/stand-up Mindy Raf, plus Pat O’Shea (host of Ed Sullivan on Acid), Danny Rouhier, Nick Maritato, and Dan Enfield performing in the East Village’sBeauty Bar at Vince Averill’s & Jesse Popp’s free weekly show Beauty Bar Comedy
9:30 pm ($5): Two improv groups competing for audience laughs and votes—yes, like UCBT’s Cage Match, but with less well-known troupes and an escalating challenge component—at Magnet Inferno
[FREE] 10:00 pm: All-gal stand-up lineup of Giulia Rozzi (Jimmy Kimmel, MTV, VH1, Playgirl Magazine, co-host of Dive comedy and Stripped Stories), Liz Miele (Comedy Central), and Dana Lovecchio performing at this free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
If you have a thyroid, or know someone with a thyroid, please consider buying my latest book The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.
Leave a Comment » | 
Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Brooke Van Poppelen, Carolines, Carolines Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, Cheap Comedy, Comedian, Comedians, Comedic Storytelling, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comic, Comics, Dave Hill, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, It Is It, Julian McCullough, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet Theater, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade, Whitney Cummings | 
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Posted by hybender
December 16, 2010
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Wonderful stand-ups Ted Alexandro and Brooke Van Poppelen tell tales of hitting sexual rock bottom tonight at 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:
6:30 pm ($5): Ding Dong Meow and The Super Mario Bros. Show are two comedy shows I know nothing about, but they both sound cool. If you’re getting off work early, come check them out as they audition for a regular UCBT run at Spank
7:00 pm ($5): “Ever wonder how you become a writer for an Emmy winning TV show? So does J. D. Durkin. Since no one has told him, here is his one-man show performing all original material to become a writer for The Colbert Report. Durkin channels Colbert live on stage to present political punditry as only The PIT could do it…and only The PIT, since he was escorted off the Comedy Central premises:” Stephen Colbert: Hire Me
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($8): Master sketch comic Kurt Braunohler “relates how he destroyed a 13-year relationship in the dumbest, most complicated way possible, with bar fights, naked men, walruses, and an audition for Sasha Baron Cohen” in the one-man show The Amish Guide to Fucking
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Razor-sharp female musical comics Mindy Raf, Becky Yamamoto, and Glennis McMurray celebrating the one-year anniversary of their monthly comedy show, with tonight’s guests delightful storytellers Leslie Goshko and Ilana Glazer, and more, performing at Brooklyn’s The Royal Oak: Supercream Supreme
8:00 pm ($5): Veteran improvisors play with “elements of monoscene, deconstruction, and La Ronde” in Sleepover
8:00 pm ($5): Lennon Parham demonstrates her comedy genius by utterly stealing this show with just a few minutes of performance time—via Skype video from LA!—while other talented performers on stage struggle with a sadly underdeveloped script…though Marcy Jarreau somehow manages to rise above the material, and is the other standout to look for (in the scene with the mirror…); plus likeable and talented comedy duo Geoff Garlock & Emily Strachan should probably work with a tough editor who insists on a bit more structure and discipline for a tale which currently has as its highlight a dog who licks himself (on the nose, but still…), in the double-bill Oh My God, I Heard You’re Dying! and Gettin’ Quaid
[FREE] 9:00ish pm: Typically terrific NYC stand-ups performing on this weekly show at the Kabin Bar and Lounge hosted by Chesley Calloway and comedy genius Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer set onJimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1): Comedy as a Second Language
9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Stand-ups Adrienne Iapalucci, Jordan Carlos, David Smithyman, and more performing at the Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) for a show hosted & produced by just-engaged couple Sean Crespo & Carol Hartsell: Lasers in the Jungle
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): A blowout lineup of Ted Alexandro (one of the finest stand-ups in the country; David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials) and Brooke Van Poppelen (brilliant stand-up, writer, and storyteller; blogger for trutV; TLC, Maxim and Cosmo Radio; popular blogs NYisretarded.blogspot.com and RockBottom; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here) joining sensual hosts Margot Leitman (VH1, Spike TV) and Giulia Rozzi (MTV, VH1.com) in telling true tales on tonight’s theme “Low Points”—plus comedic songs from Tom McCaffrey (Comedy Central)—at the best sexy storytelling comedy show in NYC: Stripped Stories
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): An annual gathering of NYC comedy talent to prepare us for the holidays, with tonight’s guests including Dave Hill and Stuckey & Murray, at The 37th Annual J Hobart B All-Star Christmas Spectacular
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Vibrant improv troupes The Brothers Hines and Dog Court competing for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Brooke Van Poppelen, Carolines, Carolines Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, Cheap Comedy, Comedian, Comedians, Comedic Storytelling, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comic, Comics, Comix, Comix Comedy Club, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, Stripped Stories, Ted Alexandro, The Magnet Theater, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
November 16, 2010
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Stand-up Brooke Van Poppelen will demonstrate why she's one of NYC's hottest rising stars tonight at Positively Awesome
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): Jenny Dunne and Rick Andrews improvise a single moment in two characters’ lives again and again, exploring three parallel realities, and the difference that a look or tone can make; and a one-person improv show with multiple characters by Michael Short, in the double-bill The Cascade and I am Legion
7:00 pm ($5): A one-man sketch comedy show from Nicholas Sparks: Nicholas Sparks Didn’t Write This
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Hannibal Buress (staff writer for 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live; Comedy Victor Varnado (Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central, NBC’s My Name is Earl, Adult Swim, The Awkward Comedy Show; films Pluto Nash, End of Days, A Guy Thing), Andy De La Tour (UK comedy star), “a man of real mystery,” and musical group The Fools performing in the Lolita Bar at Liam McEneaney’s Tell Your Friends
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Brooke Van Poppelen (brilliant stand-up, writer, and storyteller; blogger for trutV; TLC’s American Chopper, Maxim and Cosmo Radio, So-Low Show; popular blogs NYisretarded.blogspot.com and RockBottom; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here), Adam Lowitt (Producer for The Daily Show, co-host of It Is It), MIke Lawrence (Just for Laughs fest), Elon James White, and Jay Welch performing at Cellar 58 (58 Second Avenue) alongside delightful host Abbi Crutchfield and comedic rapster Andrew Singer: Positively Awesome
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Comedic singer/songwriters Stuckey & Murray (with John Foti joining on accordion), and yet more musical comedy from Caitlin Steitzer and Brittain Ashford, performing at Brooklyn’s The Royal Oak (594 Union Avenue) along with sketches from Moon regulars such as co-producer Jordan Clifford and hosts Nat Towsen & Bob Walles: The Moon Show
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Comics industry pros join super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club
8:00 pm to Midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes The Opera, Badman, Sandino, Ragnaröck, and Robber Baron, followed by small groups of UCBT students each performing long scenes that seem to have nothing in common with each other but magically converge at the end, all at Harold Night
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Hannibal Buress (staff writer for 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central, Jimmy Fallon, Craig Ferguson), Dan St. Germaine (quick-witted comic worth keeping an eye on; MTV, College Humor), Rachel Feinstein (finalist on this summer’s Last Comic Standing), and Pat Dixon (Comedy Central Presents) performing at the Ace of Clubs (9 Great Jones Street, underneath Acme Bar & Grill) hosted by Jared Logan (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central) and guest-host Mike Recine: Righteous Kill
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Comedy genius Andy Blitz (writer/performer for Conan O’Brien, Demetri Martin, Human Giant), Nick Stevens (host of AMC’s Action Pack), and “very special guests” performing at Ella (9 Avenue A) hosted by the wonderful Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1; new feature Web Site of the Week): Sweet
9:30 pm ($5): An improv show focused on a single scene, a la Death by Roo Roo’s unbeatable Cage Match approach: One
[FREE] 11:00 pm: A breathtaking 40 comics are given 2 minutes each in this rapid-fire open-mic stand-up show hosted with wit and energy by Jay Welch: Bring It
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Abbi Crutchfield, Brooke Van Poppelen, Carolines, Carolines Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, Cheap Comedy, Comedian, Comedians, Comedic Storytelling, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comic, Comics, Comix, Comix Comedy Club, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Positively Awesome, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet Theater, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
September 7, 2010
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
A radio host, a Time Magazine editor, and more present the darkly comedic aspects of war—including a survery of Disney's WWII cartoons—at Charles Star's "Adult Education"...
...while Brooke Van Poppelen does stand-up at "The Moon Show" and Morgan Murphy does the same at "Punch Up Your Life"
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): “From the invocation of a name pulled from the obituary pages, the recently deceased gets a final chance to have his or her story told on stage through a series of improvised scenes.” Come celebrate the life and death of a complete stranger—good taste optional—at Dearly Beloved Presents The Wake
[MEGA-TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Witty writers offering delightfully wry lectures about this month’s topic “War”—e.g., WFMU’s Ken Freedman recounts America’s war propaganda highlights; Time.com Managing Editor (and a Time Magazine Executive Editor) Jim Frederick tells how toxic leadership, murder, and rape led to the catastrophic breakdown and fall of the 1st Platoon; and Constantine Von Hoffman shows excerpts of Walt Disney’s memorably racist WWII propaganda cartoons (ranging from Donald Gets Drafted to Der Fuehrer’s Face)—at Brooklyn’s Union Hall for Charles Star’s comedic show Adult Education
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Stand-up stars Hannibal Buress (staff writer for 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, ; Comedy Central, Jimmy Fallon, Craig Ferguson; 2010 ECNY Award for Best Male Stand-Up; host of Comedy Night; comedy CD My Name is Hannibal), Brooke Van Poppelen (TLC’sAmerican Chopper, Maxim and Cosmo Radio, So-Low Show; popular blogsNYisretarded.blogspot.com and RockBottom; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here), and Dan St. Germain (quick-witted, hilarious stand-up; for reenactment of Dan’s breakup, please click here), plus music from Camille Harris (creator of FringeNYC 2009’s Muffin Man) and tap dancer Hank Smith, performing at Brooklyn’sThe Royal Oak (594 Union Avenue) along with sketches from Moon regulars such as co-producer Jordan Clifford and hosts Nat Towsen & Bob Walles: The Moon Show
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Comics industry pros join super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club
8:00 pm to midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Bastian, DeCoster, Badman, Ragnaröck, and Robber Baron; and at 11:00 pm UCBT students make up a story taking place in a single location in real time (i.e., Death by Roo Roo’snear-unbeatable technique at Cage Match)—all at Harold Night
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Blaine Kneece (Andy Kaufman Award, Second City), Boris Khaykin, Subhah Agarwal, Nimesh Patel, and Kibibi Dillon performing at Cellar 58 (58 Second Avenue) alongside delightful host Abbi Crutchfield and comedic rapster Andrew Singer: Positively Awesome
[TOP PICK] 8:30 pm ($3): Morgan Murphy (The Comedians of Comedy; staff writer for Jimmy Fallon, former staff writer for Jimmy Kimmel and Crank Yankers), Dan St. Germain (quick-witted, hilarious stand-up; for reenactment of Dan’s breakup, please click here), Murderfist (NYC’s fearless heavy metal version of a sketch troupe; winner of the 2010 ECNY Award), and more performing at theHousingworks Bookstore Cafe for an almost-free weekly show hosted by Joe Derosa (Comedy Central) and Jared Logan (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central): Punch Up Your Life
[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.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Adult Education, Brooke Van Poppelen, Carolines, Carolines Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, Charles Star, Cheap Comedy, Comedian, Comedians, Comedic Storytelling, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comic, Comics, Comix, Comix Comedy Club, Constantine Von Hoffman, Der Fuehrer's Face, Donald Duck, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, Jim Frederick, Ken Freedman, Morgan Murphy, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Punch Up Your Life, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet Theater, The Moon Show, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, Time Magazine, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
June 5, 2010
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
For the best of genius comedic actress Kate McKinnon, click here.
Brooke Van Poppelen reveals shocking personal details at the 2nd Anniversary edition of We're All Friends Here
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] [$] 6:00 pm ($15 including one drink; reservations via calling Cornelia Street Cafe at 212.989.9319 highly recommended): Four world-class writer/performers tell personal stories. Three of them are true…but one is a pack of lies. Then the audience asks questions to try to figure out who’s fibbing. Tonight’s yarn-spinners are Faye Lane (delightful storyteller, upcoming FringeNYC show Beauty Shop Stories), John Flynn (superb storyteller for UCBT’s The Nights of Our Lives), Jim O’Grady (The New York Times, Huffington Post), and Joey Novick (writer for Politics Unusual), and Steve Osborne (NYPC Gang Squad Detective), performing with wonderful guest-host Ophira Eisenberg (sharp stand-up and brilliant storyteller; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime), at The Liar Show
[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisor Christina Gausas and friends she originally made in Chicago—which include writers & performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show—plus a rotating cast of stellar visitors, all joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball
7:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): NYC stand-ups Joe Devito, Rob O’Reilly, Gilad Foss, Steve Bossous, and “special guests” performing in Ochi’s Lounge at Lil’ Seany Boy
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($42 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up veteran who’s appeared on David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Last Comic Standing; hosted the HBO stand-up showcase Down and Dirty; was a cast member of the wonderful though short-lived HBO sitcom Lucky Louie, and performed his own HBO half-hour One Night Stand special; has appeared in such hit films as Spider-Man; is a regular on XM Satellite Radio’s The Opie & Anthony Show; and is the author of the book Happy Endings, headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Jim Norton
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Gorgeous Brooke Van Poppelen (TLC’s American Chopper, Maxim and Cosmo Radio, So-Low Show; popular blogs NYisretarded.blogspot.com and RockBottom; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here andhere), hilarious human dynamo Ali Wong (The Onion), and Erik Bergstrom (author of Grimmer Tales) perform stand-up and are then interviewed about their personal lives at this special 2nd Anniversary edition of Matt Ruby’s and Mark Normand’s “comedy chat show with boundary issues” at The Creek in Queens’ Long Island City: We’re All Friends Here
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm & 11:00 pm ($37.50 online or at the box office using discount code ALIEN): Sharp comics and 80 Henson puppets collaborating on a show that’s partly scripted and partly improvised: Stuffed and Unstrung
[$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($19.33 online if you use code VIPJUNE, plus 2-item minimum): In a questionable bit of booking, two stand-ups with very different styles and very different audiences are somehow headlining on the same show; but if you love one or the other, come for the star you adore performing at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Eugene Mirman and Andy Kindler
8:00 pm ($10): In this unique monthly show, stand-up comics perform in the buff. A reviewer fromThe Boston Globe observed, “The dynamic of nude comedian and clothed audience added an extra dimension to self-deprecating material.” For a New York Magazine review, please click here; or simply come see for yourself at The Naked Comedy Showcase
[TOP PICK] [$] 9:00 pm ($20): Brilliant singer/songwriter Shayna Ferm and “white rapper” Carolyn Castiglia, sharp stand-ups Hari Kondabolu and Dan Allen, word-class storyteller Tom Shillue, and possibly a special guest or two—plus free beer!—at the season finale of acclaimed monthly comedy showcase Moonwork
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—and the Cage Match Champion for two years in a row!—genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo
9:00 pm ($5): Organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track!
9:30 pm ($10): “A cabaret of darkly funny songs and topical sketch comedy about culture and politics,” following sold out shows at Joe’s Pub: Political Subversities
[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:30 pm ($15 both online and at the door using discount codePISANO, otherwise $20): A Chicago-based troupe that’s wowed audiences around the world with their skill at creating a completely improvised hour-long musical. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment; even the song lyrics and the “choreography” are made up on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. Come see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award last August for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event at the magical Baby Wants Candy
[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King: Reuben Williams
10:30 pm ($5): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney (Statues of Liberty) and Leslie Korein as comedy trio Trike
[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): An open contest to see who can create the most shockingly funny & filthy sketch running three minutes or less. If you’re easily offended, don’t even consider attending; but if you appreciate comedy that pushes the envelope without hurting anyone (with the possible exception of prudes), you’ll applaud this wild, uninhibited breaking of taboos to get laughs. If a routine is dreadful (many will be), the festivities will be maintained by superb hosts Gil Ozeri, John Flynn, and John Frusciante at The Dirtiest Sketch in NYC Contest
[$] 12:30 am ($31.25 & 2-drink min.) 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 through Sunday at Carolines: Paul Mooney
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
For the best of genius comedic actress Kate McKinnon, click here.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Brooke Van Poppelen, Carolines, Carolines Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, Cheap Comedy, Comedian, Comedians, Comedic Storytelling, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comic, Comics, Comix, Comix Comedy Club, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, Mark Normand, Matt Ruby, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Creek, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade, We're All Friends Here | Permalink
Posted by hybender
May 25, 2010
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Breathtaking comics Arden Myrin (above) and Brooke Van Poppelen host a new show focused on female stand-ups, which tonight includes Janeane Garofalo: Powersuit
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] 8:00 pm ($5): Comics industry pros join super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: A special all-Jews edition (who knew there were enough funny Jews in New York to fill a whole line-up…), with terrific stand-ups Emily Epstein, Jena Friedman, Amy Beckerman, Gilad Foss, and Ben Rosenfeld performing at Cellar 58 (58 Second Avenue) alongside delightful host Abbi Crutchfield and comedic rapster Andrew Singer: Positively Awesome
8:00 pm to 11:00 pm ($5): Three full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Bastian, DeCoster, Monstro, Badman, and Robber Baron—at Harold Night
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm ($3): Brooke Van Poppelen (TLC’s American Chopper, Maxim and Cosmo Radio, co-host of Powersuit, So-Low Show; popular blogs NYisretarded.blogspot.com andRockBottom; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here), Dan St. Germain (Onion News Network), Nick Turner (Jimmy Fallon, CollegeHumor, co-host of Too Cool for School), Jen Grant (Just for Laughs festival), John Roy (Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing), and “a surprise guest or two” performing at the Housingworks Bookstore Cafe for an almost-free weekly show hosted by Joe DeRosa (HBO, Comedy Central,Carson Daly, Insomniac Tour): Punch Up Your Life
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Baron Vaughn (in one of his final appearances before moving to LA), Mickey Rapkin and a whole bunch of folks from his new book Theater Geek, and more performing at The Slipper Room for the LES weekly show hosted by the wonderful Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet
9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Delightful stand-ups Leah Dubie and Amy Beckerman hosting Patricia Villetto and other stand-ups performing in Ochi’s Lounge at Dykes on Mics
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): World-class storyteller Tom Shillue, sketch comic Ann Carr, and Ryan Paulson (one-man show I’m Uncomfortable) performing with delightful sketch comedy & musical duo Tim Ellis and Matthew Park hosting Of the Moment
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Movie & TV star Janeane Garofalo, Andrea Rosen (Variety SHAC, lots of TV ads), and Giulia Rozzi (co-host of Stripped Stories) performing at the debut of a new monthly all-female stand-up comedy show hosted by the gorgeous Brooke Van Poppelen (TLC’s American Chopper, Maxim and Cosmo Radio, So-Low Show; popular blogs NYisretarded.blogspot.com andRockBottom; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here) and Arden Myrin (Conan O’Brien, Mad TV, numerous other TV shows & films; for Mad TV samples, please click here and here and here): Powersuit
[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.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Arden Myrin, Brooke Van Poppelen, Carolines, Carolines Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, Cheap Comedy, Comedian, Comedians, Comedic Storytelling, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comic, Comics, Comix, Comix Comedy Club, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, Janeane Garofalo, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Ochi’s Lounge, Power Suit, Powersuit, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
April 20, 2010
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Smokin' hot rising star Brooke Van Poppelen (above) performs with comedy genius Andy Blitz and more 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): Sketches on topics from the 18th century—ranging from George Washington to Frankenstein—by Kelly Buttermore & Greg Wilker in Kelly & Greg Present 1778
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Industry guests join super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club
[FREE] 8:00 pm: Brilliantly funny musical comics Mindy Raf and Stuckey & Murray, plus stand-ups Harry Terjanian, Joanne Filan, and Josh Sankey, performing at Cellar 58 (58 Second Avenue) alongside delightful host Abbi Crutchfield and comedic rapster Andrew Singer: Positively Awesome
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm to midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes The Opera, Sandino, Monstro, Bastian, and Badman; and at 11:00 pm improv geniuses Neil Casey & Anthony Atamanuik make up an entire feature film at The Two-Man Movie, plus stellar improv troupe The Law Firm: The People’s Court—all at Harold Night
[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm ($5): Comedy giants Eugene Mirman and Christian Finnegan, Daily Show Producer Adam Lowitt, Moshe Kasher, and Brent Sullivan performing at the Housingworks Bookstore Cafe for a free weekly show hosted by brilliant stand-up Pete Holmes (Comedy Central Presents, The Daily Show, John Oliver and Friends, VH1’s Best Week Ever, The New Yorker) and razor-sharp Joe DeRosa (Comedy Central, Carson Daly, Insomniac Tour; for stand-up video about why Joe hates weddings, please click here): Punch Up Your Life
8:30 pm ($5): One-person shows from Chrissie Mayr and Joel Jones in the double-bill Hope and Life Insurance
[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Comedy genius Andy Blitz (long-time writer/performer for Conan O’Brien), red-hot rising star Brooke Van Poppelen, Josh Pais, Arden Myrin, Clarke Mcfarlane performing atThe Slipper Room for the LES weekly show hosted by the wonderful Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Red-hot stand-up Kumail Nanjiani (David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report, Jimmy Kimmel, writer/performer for Comedy Central’s Michael & Michael Have Issues; winner of the 2009 ECNY Awards for Best Male Stand-Up), fearless comedy troupe Murderfist (winner of the 2010 ECNY Awards for Best Sketch Group), and Seena Jon join hosts Ben Kissel and Ed Larson in Two Wandering Wads
[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.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Andy Blitz, Brooke Van Poppelen, Carolines, Carolines Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, Cheap Comedy, Comedian, Comedians, Comedic Storytelling, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comic, Comics, Comix, Comix Comedy Club, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Ochi’s Lounge, Seth Herzog, Seth Herzog's Sweet, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, Sweet, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
October 29, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
For Q&A with bestselling author Elna Baker, please click here.
Fresh, smart, sexy comics Mara Herron and Brooke Van Poppelen perform one-woman shows tonight at Fly Girl and So-Low 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 $) include:
[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($25): A dynamite evening of comedy from two of the best stand-ups in the country performing at NYU’s 700-seat Skirball Center: Aziz Ansari and John Mulaney
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Comedy giant Dave Hill performing a charming and hilarious one-man show about a musical tour overseas, and sketch troupe Sidecar performing bits about the end of the world, in the double-bill Dave Hill: Big in Japan and Sidecarmageddon
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): A double-bill of solo shows from fresh, smart, sexy rising stars: Mara Herron (NYC’s The Lighthouse; for Mara’s views on drugs, please click here), and Brooke Van Poppelen (Maxim Radio, Cosmo Radio, Chicago Public Radio; Carolines, Comix; half of sketch duo Macho!; popular blog NYisretarded.blogspot.com; for stand-up videos about overindulging at 30 and impersonating Morrisey, please click here and here): Fly Girl and So-Low Show
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Delightful sketch comedy & musical duo Tim Ellis and Matthew Park performing what I’m guessing is a very fun two-person show: An Evening with Ellis & Park
8:00 pm ($5): Sharp improvisors directed by James Eason “take an audience suggestion and break it into a million funny pieces” in The Deconstruction
9:30 pm ($5): Sharp stand-ups Morgan Murphy, Ryan Reiss, and Hardly Working Live join Streeter and Jeff for a stage version of popular Web site CollegeHumor.com: CollegeHumor Live
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Superb Improv duo The Brothers Hines (Will Hines and Kevin Hines, who really are brothers) go up against improv troupe Ghost Fight in a battle for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
For Q&A with bestselling author Elna Baker, please click here.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Brooke Van Poppelen, Carolines, Carolines Comedy ClubCheap Comedy, Carolines on Broadway, Comedian, Comedians, Comedic Storytelling, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comic, Comics, Comix, Comix Comedy Club, Elna Baker, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, Mara Herron, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
April 23, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Brooke Van Poppelen & Joselyn Hughes are Macho!
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 highly acclaimed theatrical comedy troupe that stages tales written by NYC schoolchildren after enhancing the details with adult content: Story Pirates After Dark (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 (8:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] Adira Amram (brilliant, hilarious singer/songwriter), Shayna Ferm (also brilliant, hilarious singer/songwriter; member of world-class sketch group Fearsome), Sean Crespo (Comedy Central, Shoot the Messenger, host of Drink at Work), Becky Yamamoto (Stickerbook), Sean Donnelly (co-host of Ochi’s Motel, host of Lil Seany Boy), and more 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),
[$] star comics Dave Attell, Greg Giraldo, Marina Franklin, Big Jay Oakerson, and more performing—though not all on the same lineups—at Comedy Cellar (9:00 pm & 11:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] two of the most beloved comics in NYC, Joselyn Hughes & Brooke Van Poppelen, performing their acclaimed sketch comedy show in which they transform from being real-life sex goddesses to Macho! (9:30 pm),
a very popular comedy site’s talents coming out from behind the Net tonight, accompanied by sharp comics Jared Logan, Bryan Tucker, Shane Mauss, and “a special CollegeHumor surprise,” at CollegeHumor.com, Live on Stage (9:30 pm),
[$] 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 (albeit doom-based) improv troupes, Death by Roo Roo and Ragnaröck, competing for audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Brooke Van Poppelen, Cheap Comedy, Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, Joselyn Hughes, Macho, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
April 8, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Brooke Van Poppelen
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 Jim O’Grady (The New York Times, Moth GrandSlam Champion), Ed Gavagan, and Bricken Sparacino—share their favorite campus anecdotes; plus a cake will be given to an audience member!; all at Real Tales of College (7:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [FREE] rising star Kumail Nanjiani (Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report), Brooke Van Poppelen (sketch duo Macho!), Sean Donnelly (co-host of Ochi’s Motel, host of Little Seany Boy), and more at a new free weekly comedy show hosted by Matt Maragno & the luminous Margie Kment: Now We’re Talking (8:00 pm),
[FREE] typically stellar NYC stand-ups at a free weekly Brooklyn extravaganza hosted by Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate, and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:00ish pm),
[FREE] NYC stand-ups Jamie Lee, Nick Turner, Vicki Ferentinos, and Calvin Cato; plus sketch troupe consisting of Kevin Tor , Evan Morgenstern, and Jen Kwok; plus improv group Aww Shucks, at a free show hosted by Sharon “Mama” Spell: Shrink (8:00 pm),
[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 (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.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Brooke Van Poppelen, Cheap Comedy, Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Fun NYC, Funny, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, New York Comedy Clubs, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, NYC Fun, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
Best New York Comedy 