NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 7/8/11

July 8, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

Kate McKinnon and Mike Still

Sketch comedy genius Kate McKinnon will make you laugh till it hurts in "Kate McKinnon on Ice;" and then Mike Still make just go directly for the 'hurting you' part in "Dictator for Life"....

Jeff Garlin

....and the wonderful Jeff Garlin graces NYC tonight and Saturday headliing 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:

[FREE] 6:00 pm: An open-mic show on a lottery system (sign-ups start at 5:30 pm) at The Creek in Queens’ Long Island City with hosts Mike Recine and Annie Lederman: The Shinebox

7:00 pm ($8): Award-winning improv duo Lucas Kavner and Bradford Jordan make stuff up with “a celebrity guest improvisor’ at Swords, while all-gal improvisors Alexis Saarela, Brigid Boyle, Elizabeth Findlay, and Ashley Ward perform as troupe Taco Supreme

7:00 pm ($7): “Strange, mysterious, beautiful, and disgusting, this show will dazzle you with sketch comedy… and magic!” from The Weird Sisters

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm & 10:00 pm ($35 & 2-drink min.): A comedy superstar from Curb Your Enthusiasm headlining tonight and Saturday at Carolines: Jeff Garlin

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Sketch comedy genius Kate McKinnon performing her latest one-woman show, which features “Singing! Dancing! Ice Skating! Hoarders! Conjoined Twins! Temple Grandin!” This inventive, dynamic production is among the very best to grace the UCBT stage this year. Kate is the most precious of diamonds in our NYC comedy community; come see why in Kate McKinnon on Ice…

…and in the second half of this double-bill, Mike Still (Death by Roo Roo, Diamond Lion) performs a one-man show that—like Kate’s show—was directed by fellow Roo Roo star Neil Casey: Dictator For Life

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm ($20 online using discount code BBOX1): 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. This marvelous event recently received a 2011 Bistro Award for Musical Comedy and 2011 MAC Award for Special Production. Please read my review by clicking here, watch Faye make a pecan pie by clicking here, and then take advantage of this revival running Friday nights to experience the hilarious and unforgettable Faye Lane’s Beauty Shop Stories

[FREE] 8:00 pm: James Adomian (superb impressionist with killer bit on Lewis Black as 14-year-old girl; finalist in last summer’s Last Comic Standing), Adam Newman, Nore Davis, Damien Lemon, and Andy Sandford performing stand-up at O’Hanlon’s (14th Street off 1st Avenue) hosted by Mark Normand: Hot Soup

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Sara Benincasa, Mike Lawrence, Andy Haynes, and more performing at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City to raise money for Resolve Network, an international nonprofit that helps women reclaim their lives and rebuild their communities: Comedy for the Congo

8:00 pm ($10): An improv troupe making up a musical on the spot after a friendly greeting: Hello

8:00 pm ($7): Comics Jon Bander and Dave Thunder vow to lose weight (in real life) while performing sketch scenes in this show over the next few weeks: M4: Comedy’s Biggest Losers

[FREE—plus FREE WINGS!] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Sharon Spell, Tim Warner, Paul Hooper, Wilson McDermet, and more performing at Brooklyn’s The Royal Oak (594 Union Avenue) with hosts Calvin S. Cato, Justin Murray, and Chad Plaines: The Pregame Comedy Show

[FREE] 8:00 pm: An open-mic show that’s first come, first serve (sign-ups start at 7:30 pm), with each comic getting five minutes on stage at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens’ Long Island City: Mic and Cheese

[$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up who was a finalist on last summer’s Last Comic Standing, and has also performed on David Letterman, HBO, and Comedy Central headlining tonight and Saturday—with terrific openers Ophira Eisenberg and Rich Francese—at the Gotham Comedy Club: Roy Wood Jr.

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Dan St. Germain, Jared Logan, Kenny Zimlinghaus, Jeff Wesselschmidt, and more performing at Brooklyn’s Red Star Bar (37 Greenpoint Avenue) for hosts Nick Turner’s & Jason Saenz’s  Too Cool for School

9:00 pm ($7): “In March of 2009 a gaggle of performers were born. Some died, some wandered off into the woods, others went to work in the private sector. Those that remained grew strong by feeding on the nectar of specific choices and the gruel of strong character work. The 2-year-old terror that exists today is akin to watching a Tsunami of hair and teeth attack a baby Blue Whale and destroy it with the will of a thousand hungry Burnese Mountain Dogs. What does it all mean? We don’t know.” In other words, improv from Chet Watkins

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:30 pm ($15): Always fresh and imaginative world-class sketch troupe that uses song, movement, and clever scenarios to turn familiar rituals on their head (for a video about how boys will be girls, please click here) delivering a brand new collection of sketches: The Harvard Sailing Team

10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors who use an interview with a n audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Comedy genius Thomas Middleditch (when he’s not in LA), Nate Lang, Craig Rowin, Matt Fisher, Fran Gillespie Sue Galloway, and other superb improvisors make up scenes about an audience member’s legal dispute at The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

11:00 pm ($5): “Boneless comedy” from all-gal sketch troupe Goldie & the Hawns

[TOP PICK] 11:30 pm ($5): Before the show, audience members may anonymously submit written confessions, secrets, rants, advice and opinions which will be used onstage by the improvisors—who include such talents as Laura Grey (stellar old-time radio style theatrical podcast Horrorgasm, sketch/improv duo Klepper & Grey): The Friday Night Sh*w

Midnight ($5): Your opportunity to perform on the UCBT stage with improv veterans, hosted by UCBT house troupe Airwolf: Jammin’ with Ralph

[$] 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.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 6/3/11

June 3, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

The Axis of Awesome and Tom Papa

Musical YouTube stars Axis of Awesome perform one night only at UCBT, while Tom Papa headlines tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club

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 ($8): “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

7:00 pm ($7): A new sketch troupe—consisting of popular comedy teams such as We’re Matt Weir and Good Morning Ladies—delivering brand new material every week: Ripe Sketch Comedy

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): A musical trio who created one of the most popular YouTube videos ever—to watch it, please click here—performing their set of comedic songs for one night only at UCBT: Axis of Awesome

[MEGA-TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($49.50): Mike Birbiglia performing a unique blend of stand-up and storytelling that’s one of the best theatrical shows in NYC. For my more detailed write-up, please click here; and then grab tickets at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street, just one block from the #1 subway’s Christopher Street stop) for Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($49 & 2-drink min.) A TV and movie star who first earned fame onChappelle’s Show headlining through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Charlie Murphy

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central, AMC, hilarious shorts with Pete Holmes for Front Page Films, national TV ads as Verizon FIOS guy, feature film The Other Guys), Ben Lerman (gently raunchy singer/songwriter), Hari Kondabolu (Comedy Central), RG Daniels (host of Sunday Night Stand-Up), and Thomas Dale performing stand-up at O’Hanlon’s (14th Street off 1st Avenue) hosted by Mark Normand: Hot Soup

8:00 pm ($5): “Six comedy writers get one month to geek out in private, then share it in public. Come hear about neuro-linguistics, Lady Di’s dresses, and more:” The Geek Out

8:00 pm ($10): An improv troupe making up a musical on the spot after a friendly greeting: Hello

8:00 pm ($5; includes copious homemade treats): NYC stand-ups Team Submarine, Michael Che, Rae Sanni, Brendan Fitzgibbons, and “surprise guests” performing at Karma Lounge (51 First Avenue, off 3rd Street) with hosts Aalap Patel, Matt Maragno, and the delightful Chelsea White (MTV, College Humor): It’s Not That Serious

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Craig Baldo, Henry Zebrowski, Roger Hailes, Patrick Keane, and Josh Rabinowitz, plus musical group Ronald Reagan 80’s, performing at Brooklyn’s Red Star Bar(37 Greenpoint Avenue) for host Nick Turner’s & Jason Saenz’s Too Cool for School

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up who’s toured with Jerry Seinfeld for nine years—and who Jerry hired to host The Marriage Ref—and has appeared numerous times on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno, CBS, and Comedy Central headlining tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Tom Papa

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm: Arden Myrin (Conan O’Brien, Mad TV, numerous other TV shows & films; for Mad TVsamples, please click here and here and here), Sara Schaefer (inventive, luminous comic; Emmy-nominated staff writer for Jimmy Fallon; VH1’s Best Week Ever), Alice Wetterlund, Robbie Collier, Joe Cocozzello, and musical guests Chaz Kangas & DJ Milkmoney performing at Brooklyn’s Fort Useless (36 Ditmars Street) hosted by George Flanagan: Spit Take Friday

9:00 pm ($7): “In March of 2009 a gaggle of performers were born. Some died, some wandered off into the woods, others went to work in the private sector. Those that remained grew strong by feeding on the nectar of specific choices and the gruel of strong character work. The 2-year-old terror that exists today is akin to watching a Tsunami of hair and teeth attack a baby Blue Whale and destroy it with the will of a thousand hungry Burnese Mountain Dogs. What does it all mean? We don’t know.” In other words, improv from Chet Watkins

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:30 pm ($15): Always fresh and imaginative world-class sketch troupe that uses song, movement, and clever scenarios to turn familiar rituals on their head (for a video about how boys will be girls, please click here) delivering a brand new collection of sketches: The Harvard Sailing Team

[FREE] 10:00 pm: An open-mic show that’s first come, first serve (sign-ups start at 7:30 pm), with each comic getting five minutes on stage at The Creek in Queens’ Long Island City: Mic and Cheese

10:00 pm ($5): LA-based comedy duo Meg Swertlow & Rebecca Leib performing an oddball punk cabaret in The PIT downstairs lounge “with magic tricks, hula hoops, costume changes, a sexy raffle, and a bevy of original songs such as Bubonic Disco Plague, Sex Horse, and Let’s Go to the Aquarium and Have a Blood Bath:” Mustaches and Mai Tais

10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors who use an interview with a n audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Comedy genius Thomas Middleditch (when he’s not in LA), Nate Lang, Craig Rowin, Matt Fisher, Fran Gillespie Sue Galloway, and other superb improvisors make up scenes about an audience member’s legal dispute at The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

11:00 pm ($5): Hobos, folk music from the Road Sisters, and more in The PIT’s downstairs lounge at Hobo Joe’s Boxcar Sideshow

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 11:30 pm ($5): One of the finest improvisors alive, Joe Bill (Bassprov, iO, co-founder of the Annoyance Theatre) spearheads a breathtakingly brilliant group of improvisors from Chicago and New York who’ll blow the roof off at this spectacular monthly show that offers lightning-quick dark comedy unlike anything else in NYC. The other players are Jordan Klepper (Klepper & Grey, iO, ), Jodi Lennon (Comedy Central’s Exit 57), Ari Voukydis (UCB instructor, VH!’s Best Week Ever), Doug Stoley (Conan O’Brien, UCB), Rick Andrews (Magnet performer), Mark Grenier (Magnet instructor), Jen Sanders (Magnet performer), and Chet Siegel (Magnet performer). The previous show I caught was one of the finest comedy hours I’ve ever been lucky enough to experience (but no pressure, Joe; am just sayin’….). You don’t want to miss Lights Out, Shirley!

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): A comedic freestyle rap contest featuring some of the funniest & sharpest comics in NYC—who tonight include Josh Segarra (The Electric Company), Michael Kayne (Baby Wants Candy, Diamond Lion), Heather Fink (Comedy Death Ray), Alan Starzinski (Sandino, Fat Penguin), John F. O’Donnell (50 First Jokes)—plus a volunteer from the audience!, hosted by genius human beatbox Chris “Shockwave” Sullivan (The Daily Show, The Electric Company, Freestyle Love Supreme) and Victor Varnado (Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central) at one of my favorite monthly shows: The BEATdown

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Thursday 5/5/11

May 5, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

Todd Barry

Complicated stand-ups Todd Barry (headlining through Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club)...

Doug Stanhope

...and Doug Stanhope (headlining through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club)

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $12 marked with $) include:

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($32.75 & 2-item min.): A stand-up who’s performed on NBC, BBC, Comedy Central Presents, and The Howard Stern Show, and has twice won Time Out New York’s Best Comedy Performance of the Year award, headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Doug Stanhope

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): An hour of improv directed by Magnet Theatre co-owner Armando Diaz: Evente

[MEGA-TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm ($35.50 with discount code BOX): Mike Birbiglia has long been one of the finest stand-up comics in the country, with credits including the hour-long Comedy Central special What I Should Have Said is Nothing; two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials; multiple appearances on David Letterman and Conan O’Brien; and the comedy CDs Two Drink Mike and My Secret Public Journal—Live. But what puts Mike in a class all his own is a unique style he’s developed that mixes the razor-sharp hilarity of the finest stand-up with the depth of emotionally moving theatre. Mike pioneered this approach with his previous off-Broadway hitSleepwalk with Me (which he then turned into a New York Times bestselling book, Sleepwalk with Me & Other Painfully True Stories); but he’s raised his game to a whole new level with this show, which is regularly selling out—for good reason. The $35.50 (discounted via code BOX) price is about what you’d pay at a comedy club…and it’ll buy you one of the richest experiences you’re ever likely to receive from art. To enjoy world-class laughs while being taught how to value what’s truly important, grab tickets while you can at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street, just one block from the #1 subway’s Christopher Street stop); this utterly brilliant one-man show is slated to run only through May 15th: Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:30 pm (just $15 with discount code TODDB, plus 2-drink min.): One of the finest stand-ups in the country, with appearance on HBO, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central Presents, The Sarah Silverman Program, Adult Swim, and feature filmsThe Wrestler and Pete Smalls is Dead, headlining through Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club:Todd Barry

9:00 pm ($12): The Lady Aye, Camille Harris, and more performing at Comedy Below Canal

[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 guest-host Ben Kissel (while Sean Patton shares his gifts with other cities): Comedy as a Second Language

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Adira Amram (fresh, hilarious rising star singer/songwriter; winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Musical Act), Adam Wade (two-time Moth GrandSlam Storytelling Champion (2006 & 2009) and record-breaking 17-time StorySlam Champion; The New York Times Magazine; host of hilarious monthly storytelling extravaganzas Real 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), and Adam Lowitt (Producer of The Daily Show) joining delightful hosts Andrea Rosen and Shonali Bhowmik for Variety SHAC

9:30 pm ($5): Musical improv from troupe 10 Pound Ally

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Julian McCullough (fiercely funny rising star; Comedy Central Presents, MTV, VH1) and Dan Soder (Comedy Central) performing stand-up at The Pit for this new weekly show hosted by Harrison Greenbaum: The Big One

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): In a shocking upset, improv troupe CAPTCHA beat Death by Roo Roo last week in a very close vote of 71-67. CAPTCHA therefore returns tonight to try and repeat its magic, competing with improv group Dybbuk for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 4/1/11

April 1, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

Jake Johannsen

Star stand-up Jake Johannsen headlines tonight through Sunday at the Gotham Comedy Club...

...and Mamrie Hart & Steve Soroka continue their hit sketch comedy show "BoF: It's Pronounced 'Boaf'!"

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 ($10): An NYC improv troupe, headed by Duncan Murdoch, making up scenes following not only an audience suggestion but the riffs of an instrumental jazz quartet: FACE

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Mamrie Hart is a rising star who somehow manages to be razor-sharp yet immensely warm & accessible at the same time. Don’t miss this rare talent, who seems to be getting better every month, with her comedy partner Stephen Soroka performing as Best of Friendsin their new sketch show which educates you about how to effectively promote it when you tell all your pals to see it: BoF: It’s Pronounced ‘Boaf’!; and in the other half of this double-bill, Abbi Jacobson (Broad City) “takes you through a journey of your first day at Camp Kweebec” inWelcome to Camp!

[$] 7:30 pm & 10:00 pm ($38.25 & 2-drink min.) A writer/comic who’s currently playing Leon Black on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, and has performed on Saturday Night Live, FOX, Comedy Central, MTV, The Chris Rock Show, and such feature films as Pootie Tang and Mr. Deeds,headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: JB Smoove

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): Groundbreaking and highly acclaimed improvisors Matt Higgins, Jay Rhoderick, and Kevin Scott performing with a three-piece rock ensemble: Centralia

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($49.50): One of the finest comics in the country, Mike Birbiglia’s credits include the hour-long Comedy Central special What I Should Have Said is Nothing; two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials; multiple appearances on David Letterman and Conan O’Brien; comedy CDs Two Drink Mike and My Secret Public Journal—Live; the book Sleepwalk with Me & Other Painfully True Stories; and his hit off-Broadway show Sleepwalk with Me. Mike’s now returned to the stage, once again creating his unique blend of stand-up and storytelling, for an all-new one-man show at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street, just one block from the #1 subway’s Christopher Street stop) slated to run through May 15th: Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Nate Bargatze (Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central Presents), Nikki Glazer (Jay Leno), Greg Barris (host of Heart of Darkness), Adam Lowitt (Producer for The Daily Show), and Bryson Turner (deemed Funniest Person in Austin), plus musical guest The Cowmen, performing at Brooklyn’s Red Star Bar (37 Greenpoint Avenue) for hosts Nick Turner’s & Jason Saenz’s Too Cool for School

8:00 pm ($5; includes copious homemade treats): NYC stand-ups Jeffrey Joseph (HBO, Jay Leno), Lisa Delarios (Comedy Central), Stone & Stone (Last Comic Standing), Jessie Geller, and chris Lamberth performing at Karma Lounge (51 First Avenue, off 3rd Street) with hosts Aalap Patel and the delightful Chelsea White (MTV, College Humor): It’s Not That Serious

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Stand-ups Nate Bargatze (Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central Presents), Alex Koll (Comedy Central), David Cope (Last Comic Standing), Emily Heller (visiting from San Francisco), Josh DiDonato (visiting from LA), and Erik Bergstrom performing at O’Hanlon’s (14th Street off 1st Avenue) hosted by Matt Ruby: Hot Soup

8:00 pm ($7): “In March of 2009 a gaggle of performers were born. Some died, some wandered off into the woods, others went to work in the private sector. Those that remained grew strong by feeding on the nectar of specific choices and the gruel of strong character work. The 2-year-old terror that exists today is akin to watching a Tsunami of hair and teeth attack a baby Blue Whale and destroy it with the will of a thousand hungry Burnese Mountain Dogs. What does it all mean? We don’t know.” In other words, improv from Chet Watkins

[FREE] 8:00 pm: A mix of stand-up, sketch, and more at this free show hosted by Billy Keenly & John Milhiser: Stampede

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A comedy icon who’s performed on David Lettermanover 40 times and The Tonight Show over 10 times, and did the acclaimed HBO comedy specialThis’ll Take About An Hour and Showtime special I Love You, headlining tonight through Sunday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Jake Johannsen

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members ofThe Stepfathers

9:00 pm ($7): Sketch comedy about the past year from two friends who, by a wild coincidence, have the same name: We’re Matt Weir: 2010

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:30 pm ($15): Always fresh and imaginative world-class sketch troupe that uses song, movement, and clever scenarios to turn familiar rituals on their head (for a video about awkward goodbyes at the end of a party, please click here) delivering a brand new collection of sketches titled Ms. Larsen’s Class: The Harvard Sailing Team

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($15 online or at the door using code MOON): Star comedic storyteller Tom Shillue (Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents, winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Storyteller) performing a smart, engaging, and often hilarious one-man show at PS 122 (150 First Avenue off 9th Street ) running through April 9th: Tom Shillue isSupernormal

10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

10:30 pm ($10): Jonathan Gabrus, Sue Galloway, and other fine improvisors make up scenes about an audience member’s legal dispute at The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

11:00 pm ($5): An improv troupe making up a musical on the spot after a friendly greeting: Hello

[TOP PICK] 11:30 pm ($7): A spectacular collection of veteran improvisors from Chicago and New York performing for one night only—including Joe Bill (Bassprov, iO, co-founder of the Annoyance Theatre), Jodi Lennon (Comedy Central’s Exit 57), Ari Voukydis (UCB instructor, VH!’s Best Week Ever), Doug Stoley (Conan O’Brien, UCB), Rick Andrews (Magnet performer), Mark Grenier (Magnet instructor), Jen Sanders (Magnet performer), and Chet Siegel (Magnet performer)— Lights Out, Shirley!

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): A comedic freestyle rap contest featuring some of the funniest & sharpest comics in NYC—who tonight include Victor Varnado (Conan O’Brien), Adam Lustick (Harvard Sailing Team), Mindy Raf (Leibya Rogers), Jermaine Fowler (Rooftop Comedy), Luke Meginsky (The Future Mrs. Goldman), and King Supernuts (Crazytown)—plus a volunteer from the audience!, hosted by genius human beatbox Chris “Shockwave” Sullivan (The Daily Show, The Electric Company, Freestyle Love Supreme) and genius musical improvisor Eliza Skinner (Baby Wants Candy) at one of my favorite monthly shows: The BEATdown

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 1/28/11

January 28, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

For my all-time favorite oddball comedy videos, please click here.

Bridget Fitzgerald and Billy Gardell

The Bridget Fitzgeralds rock the house tonight with "Songs of Seriousness," while rising star Billy Gardell headlines at Gotham

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 ($8): “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

7:30 pm ($10): Sketch shows from Two Fun Men and from Bleak, in the double-bill Two Men Having Fun and Stomachtown

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($13) Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher have spent years scouring thrift stores and garage sales around the country for odd, funny, and startling videos. For samples of their past finds, please click here and here. Tonight and Saturday they’ll be screening a whole new collection at Anthology Film Archives (32 Second Avenue) of their Found Footage Festival

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($12 & 2-drink min.)  Fresh, quirky, hilarious musical duo The Bridget Fitzgeralds will be performing tonight and Saturday at Don’t Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues) with Songs of Seriousness

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Dan St. Germain (rising star; MTV), Doogie Horner (America’s Got Talent), David Angelo (writer for Jimmy Fallon), Mark Normand, Brendan McLaughlin, and Scott Moran performing stand-up at O’Hanlon’s (14th Street off 1st Avenue) hosted by Matt Ruby: Hot Soup

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($28 online using discount code TMANIA): UK-based Daniel Kitson is one of the sharpest and most respected writer/performers alive. This is a rare opportunity to spend an intimate 90 minutes with a true genius of comedy. Please note this is a sprawling, detail-packed theatrical show, not stand-up…and not for every taste. But whether you’re ultimately grabbed by the story or not, it’s worth experiencing if only for Daniel’s lightning-quick flashes of humor. For example, at the performance I attended a woman sitting in the front row had the incredible gall to start reading. Daniel sweetly responded, “Ooh, that’s a subtle yet effective form of criticism. I’m certainly not cross with you, just too nosy about what you’re reading to plow on. Look, you’re still reading. What a lack of faith you have in live entertainment.” Place your faith in Daniel, check out write-ups in The New York Times by clicking here andhere, and catch this show running every day except Mondays through January 30th at Brooklyn’s St. Ann’s Warehouse (38 Water Street): The Interminable Suicide of Gregory Church

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($32.75 & 2-drink min.)  A long-time cast member of MAD TV headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Bobby Lee

[$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A co-star of CBS sitcom MIke & Molly, and the star of his own upcoming Comedy Central hour-long special, headlining tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Billy Gardell

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Always fresh and imaginative world-class sketch troupe that uses song, movement, and clever scenarios to turn familiar rituals on their head (for a video about awkward goodbyes at the end of a party, please click here) delivering a brand new collection of sketches titled Ms. Larsen’s Class: The Harvard Sailing Team

10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

10:30 pm ($10): Jonathan Gabrus, Sue Galloway, and other fine improvisors make up scenes about an audience member’s legal dispute at The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

11:00 pm ($5): An all-gal improv troupe consisting of Jennifer Bild, Christine DeNoon, Julianne Dunn, and Brandy Mitchell, with tonight’s guest guy the wonderful Kurt Braunohler, performing as Goldie and the Hawns

[TOP PICK] 11:30 pm ($7): A spectacular collection of veteran improvisors from Chicago and New York performing for one night only—including Joe Bill (Bassprov, iO teacher, Annoyance co-founder), Jodi Lennon (Comedy Central’s Exit 57), Ari Voukydis (UCB instructor, VH!’s Best Week Ever), Doug Stoley (Conan O’Brien, UCB), Rick Andrews (Magnet performer), Mark Grenier (Magnet teacher), Jen Sanders (Magnet performer), and Chet Siegel (Magnet performer)— Lights Out, Shirley!

Midnight ($5): Obscure sketch comedy troupes Pink Axe and Missing Earl compete for audience laughs and votes, with troupe Sidecar hosting, in Backyard Brawl

For my all-time favorite oddball comedy videos, please click here.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Sunday 1/23/11

January 23, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

For my all-time favorite oddball comedy videos, please click here.

Nick DiPaolo

Nick DiPaolo headlines one last night at the Gotham Comedy Club

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] 4:00 pm ($28 online using discount code TMANIA): UK-based Daniel Kitson is one of the sharpest and most respected writer/performers alive. This is a rare opportunity to spend an intimate 90 minutes with a true genius of comedy. Please note this is a sprawling, detail-packed theatrical show, not stand-up…and not for every taste. But whether you’re ultimately grabbed by the story or not, it’s worth experiencing if only for Daniel’s lightning-quick flashes of humor. For example, at the performance I attended a woman sitting in the front row had the incredible gall to start reading. Daniel sweetly responded, “Ooh, that’s a subtle yet effective form of criticism. I’m certainly not cross with you, just too nosy about what you’re reading to plow on. Look, you’re still reading. What a lack of faith you have in live entertainment.” Place your faith in Daniel, check out write-ups in The New York Times by clicking here and here, and catch this show running every day except Mondays through January 30th at Brooklyn’s St. Ann’s Warehouse (38 Water Street): The Interminable Suicide of Gregory Church

6:30 pm ($5): A new show auditioning at The Magnet with no posted description but a fun title that one hopes will be lived up to: Citizen Models

[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] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Arden Myrin (Conan O’Brien, Mad TV, numerous other TV shows & films; for Mad TV samples, please click here and here and here), adorable Calise Hawkins (Last Comic Standing, Russell Simmons Presents; for dating tips, please click here), Nick Turner (co-host of Too Cool for School), and Sean Crespo (Onion News Network) performing at RG Daniels’ free weekly show at the Three of Cups East Village lounge: Sunday Night Stand-Up

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Physicist turned storyteller Ben Lillie debuts a one-man show in which he observes “Understanding people: hard. Understanding physics: easy. Let’s navigate the world of dating with an eye to the fundamental structure of the universe;” plus an original longform improvisation from troupe Flophouse “that starts with the cast confessing real sins and continues with the ensemble exploring these moral crimes on their way to salvation,” in the double-bill Ben Lillie: Elliptical Orbits and Flophouse: The Confessional

[$] 8:00 pm ($35 & 2-drink min.)  An energetic regular on Chelsea Lately who’s also appeared onJay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, VH1, and his own Comedy Central special headlining one last night at the Carolines Comedy Club: Jo Koy

8:00 pm ($7): Mike DeStefano (finalist on this summer’s Last Comic Standing), A.D. Miles (staff writer for Jimmy Fallon), Nick Turner (co-host of Too Cool for School), and more performing at Brooklyn’s Union Hall hosted by comedy giant Eugene Mirman: Pretty Good Friends

8:00 pm ($5): NYC stand-ups Sam Morril, Sarah Tollemache, Sean O’Connor, and Joseph Rocha performing stand-up at The PIT for a free weekly show hosted tonight by Sean Donnelly and Chris Griggs: Cold Soda Comedy

[$] 8:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A comic’s comic who’s performed on David Letterman, Jay Leno,HBO, FX’s Louie, and three Comedy Central specials headlining one last night at the Gotham Comedy Club: Nick DiPaolo

[FREE] 9:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Louis Katz, Chuck Roth, Jason Good, and Jordan Carlos 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: NYC stand-ups Dan Soder, Jay Bois, Jeff Joseph, and John F. O’Donnell performing in the East Village’s Beauty Bar at Vince Averill’s & Jesse Popp’s free weekly show Beauty Bar Comedy

9:30 pm ($5): Two improv groups compete for audience laughs and votes—yes, like UCBT’s Cage Match, but with less well-known troupes, plus there’s an escalating challenge component—at Magnet Inferno

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: A fine all-gal stand-up lineup of Helen Hong (Logo’s new seriesSetup Squad), Kara Klenk (Comedy Central, Spike TV), and Adrienne Iapalucci (Last Comic Standing) performing at this free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy tonight hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($12 [vs. $20] at the box office by mentioning discount code FBTJD7): Chicago-based TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi are a widely acclaimed improv duo. This is the next-to-last evening of their four-night run at The Barrow Street Theatre: TJ & Dave

[$] 10:00 pm ($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 at Carolines: Paul Mooney

For my all-time favorite oddball comedy videos, please click here.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Monday 11/2/10

November 2, 2010

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

For the best of Bill Hicks, please click here.

Andy Kaufman

Kristen Schaal hosts six comics competing at the Gotham Comedy Club for this year's presitigious Andy Kaufman Award

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 Rob Penty & Marcy Jarreau perform duo improv, in the double-bill The Cascade and Scout and Handsome Rob

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($20 & 2-drink min.) Kristen Schaal hosts a show making final judgments (following last night’s semi-finals) of six contestants competing for one of the most prestigious awards in comedy at the Gotham Comedy Club: Sixth Annual Andy Kaufman Awards Finals

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Witty writers offering delightfully wry lectures about  this month’s topic “Money”—e.g., Jimmy Fallon staff writer David Angelo explains how your money comes from garbage, and book authors Michael Hudson & Alyssa Katz explore scams & salesmanship—at Brooklyn’s Union Hall for Charles Star’s comedic show Adult Education

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Christian Finnegan (co-star of TBS’ Are We There Yet?; three Comedy Central specials; commentator on MNBC’s Countdown with Keith Oberman and VH1’s Best Week Ever; Chappelle’s Show, The Today Show), Tom Shillue (world-class storyteller; Comedy Central,The Daily Show), Marina Franklin (Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), Colin Jost (writer for Saturday Night Live), and “a secret guest” performing in the Lolita Bar at Liam McEneaney’s Tell Your Friends

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Comics industry pros Nikki Cook (Memoir) and Miss Lasko-Gross (Escape From “Special”), plus comedic storyteller & improvisor Jon Gabrus (Spike TV, College Humor, The Nights of Our Lives, The Law Firm), 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: Stand-up dynamo Ali Wong, sketch duo Rue Brutalia, dummy PuppeTyrany, stand-up Greg Johnson, rock opera singers Pass Kontrol, and “a special secret surprise guest” 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

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm ($5): Three full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Monstro, Sandino, DeCoster, Ragnaröck, and The Opera—at Harold Night

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Stand-ups Helen Hong, Christian Polanco, Chad Plaines, Connor Barrett, and Kelly & Lindsey performing at Cellar 58 (58 Second Avenue) alongside delightful host Abbi Crutchfield and comedic rapster Andrew Singer: Positively Awesome

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm: Top stand-ups Sean Patton, Amy Schumer, and Victor Varnado, plus fearless sketch troupe Murderfist, celebrating the debut of a new Tuesday comedy show at the Ace of Clubs (9 Great Jones Street, underneath Acme Bar & Grill) hosted by Joe DeRosa (HBO’s Down and Dirty, Comedy Central Presents, new comedy CD The Depression Auction) and Jared Logan (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central): Righteous Kill

[TOP PICK] 8:30 pm ($5): “An informative 22-minute multimedia presentation on the ins and outs of taping things off the radio taught by Dennis Steiger”—actually, Justin Peters—”a qualified instructor with decades worth of radio-taping experience. He will present a historical overview of this well-beloved hobby, demonstrate various methods of taping things off the radio, and offer suggestions for what to tape. If time permits, he will take questions from the audience, and offer anecdotes drawn from his personal experience with the pastime known as ‘the sport of kings.’ In sum, attendees will come away from this presentation with a solid grasp on the fundamentals they need to participate in a great lifelong hobby:” How to Tape Things Off the Radio

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Star storyteller Tom Shillue (Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show, Comedy Central Presents), Myq Kaplan (Last Comic Standing finalist, Comedy Central Presents), Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central, AMC, Verizon FIOS guy, Front Page Films, The Other Guys, comedy CDCome Clean), and more performing at new venue Ella (9 Avenue A) hosted by the wonderful Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): A rare performance from one of the country’s finest four-person improv troupes: Neil Casey (Death by Roo Roo), Ryan Karels (Conan O’Brien), Amey Goerlich (Wicked Fuckin\’ Queeah) , and Joe Wengert (Reuben Williams), plus an experimental improv show involving 1970s swinging with keys, in the double-bill: Krompf and Key Party

[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.

For the best of Bill Hicks, please click here.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 10/23/10

October 23, 2010

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Ralphie May

Ralphie May tonight concludes his headlining run at the Gotham Comedy Club

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, which includes 1 drink): Four funny people tell amazing stories. Three of the tales are absolutely true…but one of them is a pack of lies. The audience then asks questions to try and identify the fibber—and everyone who does gets a free t-shirt! This evening’s yarn-spinners are Ben Lillie (physicist; host of The Story Collider), Daisy Rosario (Moth GrandSlam Champion), Carter Edwards (UCBT), and Matthew Mercier (writer for Glimmer Train). Come let host Andy Christie (The New York Times, Moth GrandSlam Champion) attempt to mislead you at The Liar Show

7:00 pm ($8): Ben Masten and Sam Dingman perform all-new sketches and songs via an act The Onion says “manages to sell even flimsy premises with smarts and winning chemistry:” Audience of Two: We Hardly Know What’s Up

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Christina Gausas, Scott Adsit, Becky Drysdale, Anthony King, and more—including writers & performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, andThe Daily Show—plus a rotating cast of stellar visitors, all joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10 at the door or online): A blowup lineup of Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler, Dave Hill, and Reggie Watts performing music in connection with the CMJ Festival at Brooklyn’s Union Hall for Greg Barris’ Heart of Darkness

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: The glorious return of a popular Saturday night show (previously at the now-deceased Ochi’s Lounge), with wonderful guests Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer set on Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1), 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), Pat Stango (co-host off Don’t Touch Me There), Jared Logan (Comedy Central), Yannis Pappas (VH1), and Sam Morrill performing at The Triple Crown Alehouse & Restaurant (330 7th Aveue, between 28th and 29th Streets) at Sean Donnelly’s Lil’ Seany Boy

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 7:30 pm & 10:00 pm ($24.78 online if you use code PLAYBILL, plus 2-item minimum): A co-star of FX’s The League headlining at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Stephen Rannazzisi

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm ($30 & 2-drink min.) A Last Comic Standing finalist who’s made a lasting impression—with three highly popular Comedy Central hour-long specials, and appearances on Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel—headlining at the Gotham Comedy Club: Ralphie May

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($32.75 & 2-drink min.): The Emmy Award-winning host of Cash Cab, and a stand-up who’s performed a Comedy Central Presents special, headlining at the Carolines Comedy Club: Ben Bailey

[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 ($7): 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, fast-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience interaction and audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer

10:00 pm ($10 at the door or online): Jena Friedman revives her dark musical comedic parody of the American Girl Dolls, which includes such brilliant talents from the NYC comedy community as Jessica Delfino, Ben Lerman, and Jena herself at Theatre 80 (80 St. Marks Place off 1st Avenue):The Refugee Girls Revue

[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

11:00 pm ($5): Sketch comedy duo Julia Morales and Oscar Montoya explore the quest for love inDate Me to Hell

[TOP PICK] 12:00 am ($5): One of UCBT’s most popular shows is Cage Match; and that’s in part because of its wonderful hosts Ben Rodgers and Eric Scott, and the wrestling subplots that go on in between the improv competitions. Tonight the improv is left behind, and a midnight extravaganza devoted to just these sideshow elements explodes onto the stage, featuring at least a half-dozen matches combining sketch comedy and genuine wrestling choreography. For videos of past battles, please click here. As the show description states, “Only 14,000 seats are available, so get your tickets now before the UCBW Arena sells out!” Experience the pre-Halloween bloodbath men call UCBW AutumnSlamn

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 10/22/10

October 22, 2010

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Ralphie May

Ralphie May headlines tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club

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 ($8): Award-winning improv duo Lucas Kavner and Bradford Jordan make stuff up with “a celebrity guest improvisor’ at Swords

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Comedy dynamo Shannon O’Neill performing her extravaganza about an annual talent show in “Charlie Sheen Prison, the only talent show starring the criminally retarded and insane,” directed by the wonderful Will Hines; plus a loud and mildly amusing sketch show about cops, in the double-bill Prison Freaks: A Talent Show and The Sit Down and Shut Up NYPD Variety Hour

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 7:30 pm & 10:00 pm ($24.78 online if you use code PLAYBILL, plus 2-item minimum): A co-star of FX’s The League headlining tonight and Saturday at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Stephen Rannazzisi

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($32.75 & 2-drink min.): The Emmy Award-winning host of Cash Cab, and a stand-up who’s performed a Comedy Central Presents special, headlining tonight through Saturday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Ben Bailey

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): A groundbreaking and surreal improv/sketch troupe performing with new guests each Friday and making a valid complaint: Centralia: We Were Supposed To Have Flying Cars By Now

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($30 & 2-drink min.) A Last Comic Standing finalist who’s made a lasting impression—with three highly popular Comedy Central hour-long specials, and appearances on Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel—headlining tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Ralphie May

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Always fresh and imaginative world-class sketch troupe that uses song, movement, and clever scenarios to turn familiar rituals on their head (for a video about awkward goodbyes at the end of a party, please click here) delivering a brand new collection of sketches titled Ms. Larsen’s Class: The Harvard Sailing Team

10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

10:30 pm ($10): Jonathan Gabrus, Sue Galloway, and other fine improvisors make up scenes about an audience member’s legal dispute at The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

11:30 ($5): Improvisors Brigid Boyle, Emily Bryan, Nicole Cascio, Caroline Ficksman, and Alexis Saarela parodying The View in a show self-described as “Hey, Darlings! Come sit down with a cup of coffee (or perhaps a martini) and join the panel of five of New York’s most talkative and opinionated women as they discuss the week’s events, and interview alluring guests from the worlds of literature, politics, comedy, and more. Let’s talk about issues, over drinks!” This show will keep you in Focus

Midnight ($5): Obscure sketch comedy troupes Boat and Pink Axe compete for audience laughs and votes, with troupe Sidecar hosting, in Backyard Brawl

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 9/11/10

September 11, 2010

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer headlines for one final night at the Gotham Comedy Club

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 ($8): Comics and actors bring never-before-seen video clips from their past performances that are so embarrassing, they’re hilarious—especially after everyone on stage gets through making fun of them. Hosted by Joe Matarese, it’s Rip my Clip

[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 & 10:00 pm ($35 & 2-drink min.)  A TV & film star whose credits include Beauty Shopwith Queen Latifah and Bulworth; hosting BET’s Hollah! and Comic View; and appearing on ABC’sThe View, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and Politically Incorrect, and Showtime’s Laffapalooza, headlining through Sunday at Carolines: Sheryl Underwood

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm & 11:45 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A stand-up who co-hosts FUSE’s A Different Spin; has performed on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, NBC’s 30 Rock, Jimmy Fallen, John Oliver’s NY Stand-Up, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show; and has interviewed such celebs as Sarah Silverman (to watch, please clickhere), headlining one final night at the Gotham Comedy Club: Amy Schumer

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Calise Hawkins (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), Tom Sibley, and Jonathan Powley performing stand-up and then getting interviewed about their personal lives at 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

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm pm ($24.78 online if you use code PLAYBILL, plus 2-item minimum): Host of the Discover Channel’s Proof, co-host of The Radio Chick, and a comedic commentator on such shows as VH1’s Best Week Ever headlining for one night only at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Chuck Nice

[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 ($7): Organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track!

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, fast-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience interaction and 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

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:30 pm ($12.89 online if you use code PLAYBILL, plus 2-item minimum): A stand-up hailed for rapidfire wit, insults, and dirty material who’s a frequent guest on Opie & Anthony, Howard Stern, etc., performing tonight with like-minded friends at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Colin Kane

10:30 pm ($5): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney (Statues of Liberty) and Leslie Korein as comedy trio Trike

[TOP PICK] 11:00 ($8): NYC’s heavy metal version of a sketch troupe, which doesn’t always ht the mark but provides odd, unsettling, and fearless dark comedy—and won this year’s ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group: Murderfist: Late and Dirty

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): Comedy giant & talented musician Dave Hill, plus other cool musical guests, joining “opinionated audiophile John Frusciante hosting a revolving panel of music-loving comedians, writers, and musicians for a live monthly discussion about the state of music past and present, what you should and shouldn’t be listening to, and why KISS sucks so much. It is a guarantee that your favorite band will at some point be brought up, dissected, and either praised to the rafters or dismissed with the wave of a hand that knows how to properly handle vinyl:” Break Up Your Band

[TOP PICK] [$] Midnight ($22.50 & 2-drink min.) Some of the raunchiest shock comics in the biz—Adrienne Iapalucci, Kurt Metzger, Mike Vecchione, and headliner Jay Oakerson—performing stand-up through Sunday at Carolines: Jay Oakerson’s Dirty Minds

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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