Best New York Comedy

For the best of John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, please click here.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Adorable dynamo Mamrie Hart mourns the loss of bare-chested thespian Matthew McConaughey in Celebrity Funeral

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 ($12): Superb comedy writers Julie Klausner (author of new book I Don’t Care About Your Band), Caissie St. Onge (Emmy Award-winning writer for David Letterman and Rosie O’Donnell), and Chris Mitchell (author of new memoir Cast Member Confidential) telling hilarious tales about what they’ve done to earn a buck: Heckuva Job There

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

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Thoroughly charming and razor-sharp Leslie Goshko’s delightfully quirky monthly storytelling show in which comics and comedic yarn-spinners are asked to reveal aspects of themselves that are odd and unusual—and that includes such carnival elements as an accordion player, and a challenging trivia contest for someone in the audience to win a bottle of wine. Tonight’s fine storytellers are Dan Allen, Ilana Glazer, Garry Hannon, Ross Hyzer, and Leslie herself (Manhattan Monologue Champion, upcoming one-woman show Vodka Shoes), all performing in Sideshow Goshko

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($18): One of the highlights of FringeNYC 2008 was Hot Cripple, a superb and heartfelt one-woman show by Hogan Gorman about her experiences with the US health care system, legal system, and government programs for the down-but-not-out. (The performance I attended was especially memorable because a small fire broke out on the second floor of the venue. Hogan had to stop two-thirds into her monologue so the building could be evacuated; and she did so with a wry smile, telling a comforting audience member “Oh, I’ve been though a whole lot worse than this.” Three fire trucks and 30 minutes later, the fire was out…and Hogan made a quick joke about the Hot in her show’s title and then resumed performing as if nothing had happened…) Running through February, come see it uninterrupted: Hot Cripple

8:00 pm ($5): “It is with a heavy heart and a bongo drum that I inform you America has lost one its greatest thespians, Matthew McConaughey. Join me, Mamrie Hart, and some of Matthew’s closet friends and co-stars as they honor the work, the art, and the man. Be prepared to shed some tears. And then drink some beers. Then back to tears. Matthew McConaughey’s motto in life was Just keep livin’. That was a lie, you bastard, but we will honor you anyway. Services will be held at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. No shirts allowed!” Fine comedic talents including Christina Casa, Katie Schorr, Eddie Brawley, Allison Bennet, and Eliot Glazer join Mamrie for Celebrity Funeral: Matthew McConaughey

[FREE] 8:00: NYC stand-ups Amy Dixon, Jermaine Fowler, Malaika Gordon, Jacqueline Kabat, and Jay Sullivan performing at this free weekly show hosted by Sharon Spell and Emily Rivera: Shrink

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm: Kurt Braunohler, Joe Mande & Noah Garfinkel (hosts of Totally J/K), Mike Dobbins, and Team Submarine performing at a free weekly comedy show at Brooklyn’s Cameo (behind Lovin’ Cup) hosted by Max Silvestri and Gabe Liedman: Big Terrific

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; recent killer set on Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central), Del Harrison (WE TV’s Cinematherapy), Costaki Economopoulos (The Bob and Tom Show), Amanda Baramki (writer of Rat Dog and Fat Dog), and Andrew Schulz (“Certified” Music Choice) performing at Ochi’s Lounge with adorably sly host Calise Hawkins: Laugh in Limbo with Calise Hawkins

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Theatrical scenes made up on the spot with breathtaking skill by brilliant and passionate improvisors who are becoming one of the best comedy duos in the biz—Scott Adsit (30 Rock, Moral Orel) and Christina Gausas (Conan O’Brien, The Colbert Report), a.ka. Adsit & Gausas

[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 the best of John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, please click here.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.