NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 2/25/12

February 25, 2012

For more, please visit HyReviews.com.

Death by Roo Roo and Baby Wants Candy

Week after week, world-class improv is delivered by the gutsy stars at Death by Roo Roo; and week after week, a stellar comedy troupe makes up a musical on the spot at Baby Wants Candy...

Kevin Pollak

...while Kevin Pollak continues to slay 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] 4:00 pm: An unusually early weekly open-mic stand-up show (“starts late enough to sleep off that hangover but ends just in time to begin a new one”) at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Jhoel Walkowski & Evan Davis: The Amateur Hour

6:00 pm ($5): Improv troupes GCA, Ryanna, and Double Date at The Magnet kicking off your Saturday evening: The Rundown

[FREE] 7:00 pm: Comedic storytelling at The Creek in Queens’ Long Island City with host Eugene Aston-Gonzalez: 1001 Nights

7:00 pm ($5): Improvisors Jeremy Bent, Seth Lind, Matt Little, Chris Scott, and John Robert Wilson celebrate their Fifth Year Anniversary as a troupe at UCB East along with surprise guests: Thank You Robot 5th Year Anniversary

[FREE…plus FREE DINNER!] 7:00 pm: NYC stand-ups David Sidorov, Jack Quaid, Hallie Haglund, Andrew Tavin, Mookie Thompson, and Lucas Molandes performing at CultureFix (9 Clinton Street; take F subway to Delancey or J/M/Z to Essex) hosted by Aaron Glaser & Danny Jolles…plus “come at 6:30 and get some free dinner! CultureFix opens its one pot staff dinner to the public, but you gotta get there early cause it goes fast. Last time it was shrimp stew over grits; CultureFix does not fuck around:” Comedy Night at CultureFix

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Joe Bill, Ed Herbstman, Becky Drysdale, Kay Cannon, Christina Gausas, Brandon Gardner, Jed Resnik, and/or other stellar performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and legendary Chicago improv institutions at UCB Chelsea all joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball

7:30 pm ($7): Improv veterans Mark Grenier, Louis Kornfeld, and Charlie Whitcroft at The Magnetmaking up a play on the spot: Theory of Everything

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($35 & 2-item min.): A razor-sharp comic and pitch-perfect impressionist who’s also a movie star in such classics as The Usual Suspects headlining tonight and Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Kevin Pollak

8:00 pm ($10): Two of the most respected PIT improv troupes performing on this weekly double-bill—and occasionally with comedy giants Kristen Schaal and/or Kurt Braunohler participating: Big Black Car and The Baldwins

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC comics performing at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City for this talk & stand-up show hosted by Sarah Tollemache: Last Night

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm & 11:45 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.):A TV movie star who was a cast member ofMad TV, and has also performed on NBC and HBO, headlining tonight at the Gotham Comedy Club: Aries Spears

8:30 pm ($10): Jared Logan (rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, host ofComedyJuice), Nick Vatterott (Jimmy Fallon, MTV, Second City), Jackie Kashian (Comedy Central Presents, Last Comic Standing), Roger Hailes (Chappelle’s Show, VH1, MTV; writer for FUSE’s A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus), and Chris Wilkes (SNL, Thunder Gulch) performing stand-up atUCB East hosted by Kara Klenk: If You Build It

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—with honors including being Cage Match Champion for three years in a row, and winning the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Improv Group—UCB Chelsea’s genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 pm & 11:00 pm (FREE TICKETS if you reserve in advance by calling (212) 260-2445 and mention HyReviews.com, but there’s still a 2-drink min. per person): DC Benny, Mike Yard, Dan Soder, and more performing stand-up at the only comedy club in the East Village:Eastville Comedy Club

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($7): Musical improv from one of The Magnet’s best troupes: Choral Rage

9:30 pm ($15): “A cabaret of darkly funny songs and topical sketch comedy about culture and politics,” following sold out shows at Joe’s Pub and now enjoying a long run at The PIT upstairs theatre: Political Subversities

9:30 pm ($5): Sketch comedy from a troupe born in a Boston college but tonight performing at atThe PIT downstairs lounge: Astronaut Theatre

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($15 both online and at the door using discount codeSBWC, otherwise $20): This top musical improv troupe has wowed audiences around the world with its skill at making up an hour-long musical moment by moment. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment, even the song lyrics and the “choreography” are invented on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. Come to the Soho Playhouse tonight to see why BWC won aFringeNYC Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event: Baby Wants Candy

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: Sharp NYC stand-ups are invited to perform anything except stand-up—e.g., sketch, storytelling, improv, songs, dance, puppetry, and things we can’t even imagine—at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City with hosts Kelly Fastuca, Reid Faylor, and Andrew Short: Underbelly

[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): Charlie Todd, Jim Santangeli, D’Arcy Carden, and/or other stellar improvisors at UCB Chelsea interview an audience member about where he or she grew up and then create an entire show based on the mini-bio: The Curfew: Not From Around Here

10:30 pm ($10): UCBT Harold Night improv troupe Airwolf makes stuff up at UCB East: Airwolf: Let’s Go Back to Your Place

10:30 pm ($7): Vibrant improv at The Magnet from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney as comedy duoTrike

11:00 pm ($5): Four sketch troupes compete for audience approval at The PIT, hosted by Bleak Comedy: Iron Sketch

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): A talk show at UCB East hosted by the razor-sharp writer/performers of Pangea 3000 (who also write for The Onion), with guests Steve Saturn (actor), Michael Che (stand-up), and Amy Vlastelica (junior exhibition & lighting designer at the American Museum of Natural History): The Night Night Show with Pangea 3000

Midnight ($5): Two sketch troupes, Dinner For One and Gentleman Party, competing for audience laughs and votes at UCB Chelsea hosted by sketch troupe Sidecar: Backyard Brawl

[FREE] Midnight: A weekly chance for you to shine at The Magnet, as students and veteran improvisors share the stage to form “rare and wonderful one-night-only teams,” with sign-up starting at 11:30 pm:Magnet Mixer

[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups (not announced) participate in the fake taping of a bad late-night TV comedy show at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City with host Brad Steuernagel: Comedians Off Of the Leash

Midnight ($10): Typically disturbing and semi-obscene sketches at The PIT downstairs lounge from troupe FUCT

For more, please visit HyReviews.com.

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

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 2/24/12

February 24, 2012

For more, please visit HyReviews.com.

Kevin Pollack

Kevin Pollack continues his headlining run at Carolines...

Molly Lloyd

...and Molly Lloyd is among the stellar cast members of Stone Cold Fox: Crisistown

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 5:30 pm: Comics perform solo sketches, monologues, etc. as characters at The PIT upstairs theatre: It’s a Character Thing

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

7:00 pm ($5): At this PIT double-bill, Dan Hodapp & Natasha Rothwell “bring more than five years of improv collaboration to stage for an evening of bold, committed characters and probably a fart joke for good measure” as Hodapp & Rothwell, and then all-gal improvisors Alexis Saarela, Brigid Boyle, Elizabeth Findlay, and Ashley Ward perform as troupe Taco Supreme

7:00 pm ($5): All-gal Improvisors who’ve previously created viral sketch videos performing at The PIT downstairs lounge (and why this venue would “pit” two rare all-gal improv troupes opposite each other—see directly above—instead of placing them back to back is beyond me, but I hope a bit more thought goes into scheduling in the future…): Candy Slice Comedy

7:00 pm ($7): Improv at The Magnet that flows from moment to moment, with no sweeps or tag outs—”each exit starts a new scene, while performers use devices ranging from monologues to in-scene questions to break into characters and relationships quicker and deeper:” Scoresby

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Stone Cold Fox is the only sketch troupe (vs. improv troupe) to ever be honored with an ongoing spot on the prestigious UCB Chelsea weekend schedule. It’s earned this slot because its cast is one of the finest in comedy, with each performer strong enough for potential stardom; and, at their best, the troupe’s writers sizzle too. Both strengths are evident inCrisistown, an interactive sketch show in which the audience is periodically asked to choose which of two paths it wants to go down next. This highly playful approach puts you in charge; and it also tempts you to see the show repeatedly (just as you might return to a favorite improv group week after week), because each performance is a never-to-be-repeated event. The down side is a vast amount of writing is needed to cover every possible audience-driven scenario…which means select scenes can end up sloppy and dull. That actually was a huge problem on opening night, following a “Kevin Costner” storyline. But now that the production’s had time to mature, it’s delivering gold (though you might consider playing it safe and voting for the “giant mice” story just in case the Costner material hasn’t been entirely cleaned up…). A vibrant, brilliant cast and mostly terrific comedy writing—plus what was probably a near-superhuman directorial effort by comedy giant Shannon O’Neil—equals a wonderful way to kick off your Friday evening: Stone Cold Fox:Crisistown

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): Sharp improvisors at UCB East making up a musical on the spot:Diamond Lion

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 7:30 pm ($20 [vs. $25] online or at the box office using discount code BOOK): Telly Savalas returns to life to entertain you and provide life guidance in this 50-minute show that was a hit at FringeNYC 2011 and is now enjoying an open-ended Friday night run at the Soho Playhouse’s downstairs Huron Club. The script is at times very smart, especially in its choices of hilarious video clips and music tracks from the real Savalas…who, in his more intense moments, apparently rivaled William Shatner at his silliest. But even when Hunter Nelson’s writing isn’t consistent, actor Tom DiMenna—who is a professional comic with great timing and skill at engaging an audience—will keep you entertained: Who Loves You, Baby?

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($35 & 2-item min.): A razor-sharp comic and pitch-perfect impressionist who’s also a movie star in such classics as The Usual Suspects headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Kevin Pollak

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups delivering their A game—since they’re being videotaped as they perform sets—at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City, with a different host each week: Mixed Tape

[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

[TOP PICK] 8:30 pm ($7): Veteran improv duo Megan Gray & Louis Kornfeld are joined at The Magnet by improv star Christina Gausas (Conan O’Brien, The Colbert Report, Let’s Have a Ball) for this monthly event: Gausas & MegaLou

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:30 pm ($15):Actor/storyteller John Grady (Blue Man Group; one-man showSpalding Gray: Stories Left To Tell; NPR; Moth champion) performs a one-man show at The Kraine Theatre (85 East 4th Street, off Second Avenue) about “the peculiar and misguided true adventures of a man and his therapy dog; a tale of true love and overcoming obstacles, while staring fear in the face:” Fear Factor: Canine Edition

[$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.):A TV movie star who was a cast member of Mad TV,and has also performed on NBC and HBO, headlining tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Aries Spears

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from UCB Chelsea’s all-star members of The Stepfathers

9:00 pm ($10): The writers and correspondents of Web site HelloGiggles.com performing at UCB East, with this month’s theme The Sweetheart Special

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 pm & 11:00 pm (FREE TICKETS if you reserve in advance by calling (212) 260-2445 and mention HyReviews.com, but there’s still a 2-drink min. per person): DC Benny, Mike Yard, Dan Soder, and more performing stand-up at the only comedy club in the East Village:Eastville Comedy Club

9:30 pm ($10): A PIT improv troupe making up a musical on the spot after a friendly greeting: Hello

9:30 pm ($5): A comedy variety show featuring stand-up, improv, character scenes, music, and more from a variety of NYC comic at The PIT downstairs lounge hosted by Michael Newman:Minority Report

[FREE] 10:00 pm: The 2012 debut of an annual comedy tournment featuring 40 improv groups…only one of which will survive. Tonight four improv troupes batlle for superiority, pride, and glory at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by James Ferrarella:The Arena 2012 Premiere

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

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Fran Gillespie, Jon Gabrus, Matt Fisher, Craig Rowin, Nate Lang, Sue Galloway, and other superb improvisors at UCB Chelsea making up scenes about an audience member’s legal dispute: The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

10:30 pm ($10): NYC comics (not announced) performing at UCB East hosted by Emily Axford, D’Arcy Carden, Alden Ford, Brandon Scott Jones, and/or Justin Tyler: Gentrify

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): “Jack Dishel is best known as a songwriter and musician, touring all over the world performing as Only Son and also playing lead guitar in The Moldy Peaches. This year he’s exploded onto the comedy scene, doing a two-month run of hour-long shows at the Sidewalk Cafe—without ever repeating material. It’s sometimes hilarious, sometimes dark, but always interesting. Whether speaking as one of his many characters or in his own voice, his ideas come through loud and clear, and it’s a fast hour. Let’s see what happens when Dishel brings the drunken night club insanity into The PIT downstairs lounge:” Jack Dishel: Party of One

11:00 pm ($5): NYC stand-ups (not announced) performing at The PIT upstairs theatre hosted by Danny Jolles: Danny’s Funhouse

[TOP PICK] 11:30 pm ($5): Before this Magnet 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

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): Improv is dominated by guys…and for no good reason. A way to help remedy this situation are shows like this one, which is an open improv jam for any gal wanting to participate, at any experience level. This new monthly UCB Chelsea event is helmed by the wonderful Shannon O’Neill (The Stepfathers): The Lady Jam

[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups—not announced—performing at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City—with the host also not announced…but how far wrong can you go with free midnight stand-up?: Fridays at The Creek

 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:

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Thursday 2/23/12

February 23, 2012

For more, please visit HyReviews.com.

For my favorite stand-up jokes, please click here.

Kevin Pollak

A movie star & killer great impressionist headlines tonight through Sunday at Carolines: Kevin Pollak...

Dave Hill, Chris Gethard, and Leslie Goshko

...and genius comedic storytellers Dave Hill & Chris Gethard perform for the wonderful Leslie Goshko's Sideshow Goshko

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:

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Seth Lind (NPR’s This American Life, host of Told) is tonight’s guest at this weekly open-mic storytelling show, with each performer given a whopping eight minutes to captivate & impress, at UCB East hosted by John Flynn: Oh, Hey Guys!

6:00 pm ($5): Three shows about which I know nothing audition for a regular spot on the prestigious UCB Chelsea schedule: The State vs. Josh: The Trial of the Millenials, Murder Abbey, and The Spin: Improvised Political. These might be great or awful; but at $1.66 per show, you can’t go far wrong either way. That’s part of the fun of Spank

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up with comics’ names drawn from a bucket and each chosen one receiving three minutes at The Creek’s upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City: Corby Haas

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($12): Two of the finest storytellers in the world, Chris Gethard and Dave Hill, are among the performers joining host Leslie Goshko (delightful storyteller/stand-up; WNYC, Sirius XM, Manhattan Monologue champion) for this unique storytelling show at 92YTribeca (200 Hudson Street) that features such charms as accordion playing by Dr. Michelle-Leona Godin: Sideshow Goshko

7:00 pm ($5): Two singing improv troupes make up entire musicals on the spot in this double-bill atThe PIT upstairs theatre: Hot Diner and THEM

[FREE] 7:00 pm: In this free Magnet show, audience members (signing in at 6:00) can join in with improv troupe Hello Laser to make up scenes on the spot: Magnet Mixer

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): “If you were alive in the 70’s, you may have attended some ‘Key Parties’ where you were randomly paired with someone to go home with and engage in free spirited coitus. (Today we either stay at home alone or congregate at an improv theater.) Key Party combines the 70’s arrangement with modern anxiety, exploring the rich moments leading up to that act of coupling and the fallout that follows” at UCB East with stellar comics Jordan Klepper (awesome Chicago-style improv show Lights Out, Shirley!), Laura Grey (delightful old-time radio style theatrical podcast Horrorgasm), and guest improvisors: Key Party; plus in the second half of this double-bill, improv based on the iPods, CDs, and mp3 players provided by audience members, executed by superb performers Fran Gillespie, Ryan Karels, Megan Neuringer, Jesse Falcon, Silvija Ozols, Doug Moe, Lou Perez, Sue Galloway, and Emily Axford: Soundtrack USA

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): Sketch comics Mary Grill, Team Submarine, and Todd Womack join terrific sketch duo Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting (Leah Rudick and Katie Hartman) performing at The PIT basement lounge: Daddy’s Basement: A Comedy Variety Freakshow

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Scott Adsit (cast member of 30 Rock, and co-writer/director/producer & cast member of Adult Swim’s awesome & Emmy-winning Moral Orel) teaming up with fellow 30 Rock actor John Lutz (who previously spent six years as a staff writer forSaturday Night Live) to form a super-smart and hilarious star improv duo that’s become one of the very best attractions at UCB Chelsea and should not be missed: John & Scott

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm ($35 & 2-item min.): A razor-sharp comic and pitch-perfect impressionist who’s also a movie star in such classics as The Usual Suspects headlining tonight through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Kevin Pollak

[$] 8:00 pm ($15…because it’s a fundraiser for Gilda’s Club): Two singing improv troupes make up entire musicals on the spot in this double-bill at The PIT upstairs theatre: Frogmen and Harvey

[FREE] 8:00 pm: “A stand-up comedy showcase and baking competition—come to eat or come to compete” at The Creek’s upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Cody Hess & Jessica Gross: Cookies!

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm ($20 [vs. $25] online or at the box office using discount code BOOK): Telly Savalas returns to life to entertain you and provide life guidance in this 50-minute show that was a hit at FringeNYC 2011 and is now enjoying an open-ended Friday night run at the Soho Playhouse’s downstairs Huron Club. The script is at times very smart, especially in its choices of hilarious video clips and music tracks from the real Savalas…who, in his more intense moments, apparently rivaled William Shatner at his silliest. But even when Hunter Nelson’s writing isn’t consistent, actor Tom DiMenna—who is a professional comic with great timing and skill at engaging an audience—will keep you entertained: Who Loves You, Baby?

8:00 pm-MIdnight ($7 for the entire evening): The Magnet house troupes The Boss, Junior Varsity, Hello Laser, and Phooka performing improv, followed at 10:00 pm by the brilliant Ed Herbstman directing improvisors to perform in the style of a feature film for The Director Series: The Movie, and then at 11:00 pm improv competition Inspirado (like UCBT’s Cage Match, but with a game-like challenge component): The Magnet’s Night Out

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Jessi Klein (fresh, unique, deliciously organic comic who’s one of the best stand-ups in the country; former staff writer for Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN, Adult Swim), Jackie Kashian (Comedy Central Presents, Last Comic Standing), and Alex Koll (Comedy Central) performing at UCB East with best bud hosts Noah Garfinkel & Joe Mande (author of Look At This F*cking Hipster): Totally J/K

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00ish pm: Terrific NYC stand-ups (the lineup is typically announced by 3:00 pm; for an update, please click here) performing on this weekly show at the Kabin Bar and Lounge hosted by Chesley Calloway and comedy genius Sean Patton: Comedy as a Second Language

9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Nick Vatterott (Jimmy Fallon, MTV, Second City), Phoebe Robinson, Rob O’Reilly, and Eli Grober performing stand-up at Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) for this weekly comedy show hosted by Sean Crespo & Dan Wilbur and produced by Carol Hartsell: Lasers in the Jungle

9:00 pm ($10): Scott Rogowsky (writer for The Onion, co-host of 12 Angry Mascots) hosts “a unique talk show experience that needs to be experienced to be experienced. There will be plenty of bits, skits, chits and chats, and maybe that pretty girl you saw on the 6 train last night will be in the audience! It’s a big city, but you run into people,” including tonight’s guests Charlie Todd (ImprovEverywhere), Al Jacobs, Joe Moses, and Matt Koff performing at 92YTribeca (200 Hudson Street): Running Late with Scott Rogowsky

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): Top comics and comedic storytellers (unusually, not announced) performing at The PIT upstairs theatre to share tales on tonight’s theme Betrayal at one of the finest storytelling shows in the country: Risk!

9:30 pm ($5): If you’re a fan of CollegeHumor.com, you can see the folks behind it on the UCB Weststage—along with stand-ups Streeter Seidell, Adam Newman, Aaron Glaser, David Cope, and more—at CollegeHumor Live

9:30 pm ($5): Improvisors (not announced) make up one-act plays on the spot at The PITdownstairs lounge for The Scene

[FREE] 9:30 pm: The debut of a variety show featuring stand-up, sketch, improv, and music at The Creek’s upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Chris O’Neil & Anna Suzuki: All Aboard the Holland America

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Improv troupe Fuck That Shit has steamrolled over four challengers in a row—which is especially impressive since the latter have included some powerhouse talents. Tonight’s likely victim of FTS is improv troupe North Coast, as they compete for audience laughs and votes at UCB Chelsea for the raucous Cage Match

11:00 pm ($5): NYC stand-ups (not announced) performing at UCB East hosted by Amber Nelson and Rob Stern: Late Night Stand

11:00 pm ($5): NYC stand-ups (not announced) bringing their A-game—because their sets are captured at this new monthly show as audition tapes—performing at The PIT downstairs lounge: The Grass Route

For more, please visit HyReviews.com.

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

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 4/30/11

April 30, 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.

Kevin Pollak

Movie star & hilarious impressionist Kevin Pollak headlines one last night 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:

 [MEGA-TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 4:00 pm & 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 hit Sleepwalk 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

7:00 pm ($8): Sketches about unresolved issues from troupe The Foolhardy Manor

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

7:30 pm ($7): Improv veterans Mark Grenier, Louis Kornfeld, and Charlie Whitcroft making up a play on the spot in Theory of Everything

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($35.50 & 2-item min.): A razor-sharp comic and pitch-perfect impressionist who’s also a movie star in such classics as The Usual Suspects headlining at the Carolines Comedy Club: Kevin Pollak

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm & 11:45 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A stand-up and impressionist who’s done a one-hour Comedy Central special, and performed on Jay Leno and Mad TV, headlining through Sunday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Pablo Francisco

[FREE—plus FREE BEER!] 8:00 pm: A variety show of stand-up, storytelling, and sketch that’s not only free, but promises to give each of the first 25 audience members who arrive a free beer! Unfortunately, the lineup hasn’t been announced; but if you’d care to take a chance, join hosts Ray Combs Jr., Evan Jacobs, and Aalap Patel as they provide you a drink On the House

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($15 [vs. $20] online or at the box office with discount code TJD15): Chicago-based TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi are a widely acclaimed improv duo. This is the second evening of a four-night run at The Barrow Street Theatre: TJ & Dave

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—with honors including being Cage Match Champion for three years in a row, and winning the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Improv Group—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] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($15 both online and at the door using discount code SBWC, otherwise $20): This top musical improv troupe has wowed audiences around the world with its skill at making up an hour-long musical moment by moment. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment, even the song lyrics and the “choreography” are invented on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. Come see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event by catching tonight’s edition of Baby Wants Candy

[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

[FREE] 10:00 pm: All-gal improv from Jennifer Bild, Christine DeNoon, Julianne Dunn, and Brandy Mitchell: Goldie and the Hawns

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King interviews an audience member about where he or she grew up and then creates an entire show based on the mini-bio: The Curfew: Not From Around Here

10:30 pm ($7): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney (Statues of Liberty) and Leslie Korein as comedy trio Trike

[FREE] 11:45 pm: A weekly chance for you to shine, as students and veteran improvisors share the stage to form “rare and wonderful one-night-only teams,” with sign-up starting at 11:30 pm: Magnet Mixer

Midnight ($5): “A fundraiser inspired by the 1990s VH1 concert series to help today’s youth turn into powerful, narcissistic divas.” Hosted by Aretha Franklin, Shania Twain, and Tori Amos, and featuring numerous other music stars…played by such comedic talents as Ari Scott, Kate Riley, and Giula Rozzi, and directed by Caitlin Tegart. Expect some acts to fall flat, others to rise to the occasion, and memorable costumes and wigs: Divas Live: A Benefit for the Baby Diva

[$] 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 4/29/11

April 29, 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.

Pam Murphy and Sadie

Please see Pam Murphy's show tonight. Click Sadie's photo above, and then reserve your tickets for "The C Word." Please.

Kevin Pollak

...and also catch tonight's 10:30 Carolines show from movie star & brilliant impressionist Kevin Pollak

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): Buoyant all-new sketch from troupe Boat

7:00 pm ($5): Sketch comedy about how “sometimes life turns into a storm. A storm of shit. Try not to lose your cool when it happens:” Der Storm

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($35.50 & 2-item min.): A razor-sharp comic and pitch-perfect impressionist who’s also a movie star in such classics as The Usual Suspects headlining tonight and Saturday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Kevin Pollak

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): Pamela Murphy’s autobiographical show is written & performed with wit, grace, and pitch-perfect comedic timing. For video samples of Pam’s work, please click here; and for a plea for your patronage from Pam’s pooch Sadie, please click here. Don’t miss Jane Borden ofTime Out New York‘s pick for Best Solo Show of 2010: Pamela Murphy: The C Word

…and for the other half of this double-bill, Dan St. Germain (quick-witted rising star; Jimmy Fallon, MTV) and Jared Logan (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central) do a show about history’s most infamous rivalries that includes putting God on stage and hitting on Her for a date: They Hated Each Other

[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

[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 CDsTwo 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

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Improv duo Nathan Phillips & Joe Schiappa, plus guests, make stuff up using unusual improv structures for this free event at The PIT’s downstairs lounge: The Nathan & Joe Show

8:00 pm ($5): Sketch comedy interwoven with a live band: Citizen Models

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Scott Moran, Jason Good, Nick Turner, Selena Coppock, and Joe Zimmerman performing at O’Hanlon’s (14th Street off 1st Avenue) hosted by Matt Ruby: Hot Soup

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Tim Warner, Christie Walsh, Adam Chisnall, Gabe Pacheco, and Miguel Dalmau performing at Brooklyn’s The Royal Oak (594 Union Avenue) with hosts Calvin S. Cato, Justin Murray, and Chad Plaines: The Pregame Comedy Show

[$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A stand-up and impressionist who’s done a one-hour Comedy Central special, and performed on Jay Leno and Mad TV, headlining through Sunday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Pablo Francisco

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

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 awkward goodbyes at the end of a party, 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

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Improv based on an adult party game “that mixes charades and Pictionary, but with sexy terms. This show turns sections of the audience into teams so everyone can play, as their team leaders race to draw or act hilarious terms” at The PIT’s downstairs lounge: Sexy Slang Live

[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

11:30 pm ($5): Five women performing an improvised, and possibly tipsy, parody of The View at Focus

Midnight ($5): Typically disturbing and semi-obscene sketches from troupe FUCT

Midnight ($5): Sketch comedy troupes Hammerkatz NYU and Casual Sex Offenders compete for audience laughs and votes, with troupe Sidecar hosting, in Backyard Brawl

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 Saturday 12/19/09

December 19, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Movie star and hilarious comic Kevin Pollak tonight concludes his headlling run at Comix

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): A musical about “a pious Pope framed for a crime he didn’t commit…betrayal, Holy War, foot-stompin’ musical numbers” and everything else it takes “to entertain the Hell right out of you” in Pope: The Musical

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Improvisation from writers & performers at 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($37 & 2-item min.): A razor-sharp comic and impressionist who’s also a movie star in such classics as The Usual Suspects headlining tonight at the elegant Comix Comedy Club, plus opening sets by brilliant stand-up/storyteller Ophira Eisenberg and emcee Reese Waters: Kevin Pollak

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Very smart and very funny comics Jared Logan and Dan St. Germain teaming up to debut a two-man sketch show at The Creek in Queens’ Long Island City about history’s most infamous rivalries: They Hated Each Other

8:00 pm ($10): Dave Ahdoot and Ethan Fixell relating their YouTube-documented romantic adventures live on stage—possibly accompanied by visits from some of the gals—on Double Date Us

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): The gutsiest comedy troupe in NYC, genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

9:00 pm ($5): Organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track!

[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): The Harvard Sailing Team

[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] 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, who’ve formed the new troupe Trike

11:00 pm ($5): Sketch comedy from a troupe consisting of Walker & Cantrell, Black20.com performers, and a producer for The Daily Show: The Day Ryan

[TOP PICK] 12:00 am ($5): “It’s going to be a Festival of Fights as UCBW MegaStars do battle in Eight Crazy Matches at this annual holiday season spectacular! Featuring Bar Mitzvah Boy (with his Jewish Mother) vs. Adolf Hitler and special guest referee, the Birthday Boy himself, Jesus Christ!” As crazy as professional wrestling is, this takes things to a whole other level. Physical sketch comedy to the extreme, it’s UCBW: Hanukkaos

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Thursday 12/17/09

December 17, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Movie star and hilarious stand-up/improvisor Kevin Pollak headlines tonight through Saturday at Comix

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] 7:25 pm & 9:20 pm ($11): Brilliant comedy trio Derrick (Dominic Dierkes, Donald Glover, and DC Pierson) screen their feature film at NYC’s Quad Cinema (34 West 13th Street) for the final night of its initial NYC run—and the gang promises to appear live at both of this evening’s playings of Mystery Team

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm ($37 & 2-item min.): A veteran stand-up called “The Pit Bull of Comedy,” and a hilarious comic and impressionist who’s also a movie star, sharing the headlining credits tonight at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Bobby Slayton and Kevin Pollak

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($12 online, $15 at door): An annual gathering of top NYC comedy talent for a 3-hour holiday show, with tonight’s guests including Leo Allen, Andrea Rosen, Snakes, Elephant Larry, and many more at The 36th Annual J Hobart B All-Star Christmas Spectacular

8:00 pm ($5): Nick Ross performing a show about his combating cancer, with a deliciously vibrant and adorable performance by actress Leslie Meisel as a variety of secondary characters (including the cancer itself…); and an all-white musical about fast food that claims to “give new life to the most popular songs of Tupac Shakur. Join us for a romp through all the themes held most dear to Tupac’s heart: economic oppression, dreams deferred, and mall food courts” in the double-bill Highly Evolved Human and 2Pac: The Musical

[TOP PICK] [$] 9:00 pm ($15): A comic excavation of teen angst artifacts (journals, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, stories, and more) as shared by their original authors before total strangers, produced in New York by Anne Altman and Julia Wright: Mortified

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Dynamite beatbox improv genius Reggie Watts tops off tonight’s show in which sharp comics Peter Aguero and John Knefel tell sexual tales revolving around tonight’s theme “Modes of Transportation” at the best sexy storytelling comedy show in NYC: Margot Leitman’s & Giulia Rozzi’s Stripped Stories

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Two of the finest improv troupes in the country, The Stepfathers and Hot Sauce, fiercely battling for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Sunday 4/26/09

April 26, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Leah Dubie

Leah Dubie

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] [FREE] UCBT’s playground for celebrities and ace improvisors, ASSSSCAT 3000 (paid show at 7:30 pm, free show at 9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [FREE] Anthony Jeselnik (one of the sharpest & funniest stand-ups comics in the country; HBO, Comedy Central Presents, staff writer for Jimmy Fallon) and more at what’s often among the best free shows in NYC, hosted by Greg Johnson: The Comedians (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] a movie star demonstrating he’s also a top stand-up comic and killer funny impersonator in a deliciously long set that concludes tonight: Kevin Pollak Headlining at Carolines (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] one of the finest and most respected stand-up comics in the biz, famed for his passion and honesty, headlining at Carolines (at the same time but in a different room from Kevin Pollak): Marc Maron Headlining at Carolines (8:00 pm),

typically some of the best comics in the biz joining comedy giant Eugene Mirman for his weekly shindig at Brooklyn’s Union Hall: Tearing the Veil of Maya (8:00 pm),

[FREE] superb stand-ups Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central, Verizon FIOS guy, 2009 ECNY Award winner), Kevin McCaffrey (writer for David Letterman), Jesse Pop (Comedy Central, Beauty Bar Comedy), and more at RG Daniels’ free Sunday Night Stand-Up (8:00 pm),

[FREE] talented NYC comics at Vince Averill’s & Jesse Popp’s free show Beauty Bar Comedy (9:00 pm),

[FREE] superb stand-ups Chelsea Peretti (Comedy Central, TruTV, Variety SHAC), Helen Hong (Comedy Central, TLC), Leah Dubie (Comedy Central; co-host of NYC live comedy show Dykes on Mics), and more at a free gay-themed show hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour (10:00 pm),

[$] and a provocative comedy star who’s written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle’s Show and David Letterman: Paul Mooney Headlining at Carolines (10:00 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 4/25/09

April 25, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Kevin Pollak

Kevin Pollak

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:

sharp stand-ups Becky Donohue (Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, Shorties Watchin’ Shorties; TLC), Jiwon Lee (Comedy Central’s Root of All Evil, NBC, AMC, ESPN, Air America), Jacqueline Novak (Comedy Central Live Tour, XM Radio, CollegeHumor.com), Luke Cunningham (The Colbert Report), and more at Sean Donnelly’s Lil’ Seany Boy (7:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] star improvisation from writers & performers at 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball (7:30 pm),

Lauren Olson performing a one-woman show about the death of her mom that I hear is surprisingly funny in Our Condolences (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] a movie star demonstrating he’s also a top stand-up comic and killer funny impersonator in a deliciously long set tonight and Sunday: Kevin Pollak Headlining at Carolines (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] brilliant stand-ups—who also happen to be staff writers for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon—Anthony Jeselnik (one of the finest comics in the biz; HBO, Comedy Central Presents), Morgan Murphy (former staff writer for Jimmy Kimmel and Crank Yankers), and more at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Writers of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] gay comics telling personal & funny “coming out” tales at Closet Cases (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] one of my all-time favorite improv troupes—which in 2008 broke the UCBT improv competition record for winning streaks with 17 triumphs in a row, and this year delivered a magnificent performance to capture the Cage Match Championship—the brilliant and daring members of Death by Roo Roo (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] superb stand-ups & comedic storytellers—Margot Leitman (Conan O’Brien, VH1, Stripped Stories), Mike Drucker (freelance writer for Saturday Night Live, The Onion, McSweeney’s), Dan St. Germain (MTV), and many more—telling funny, poignant, and at times unforgettable tales about their relatives at a monthly show hosted by gorgeous rising star Sara Benincasa (CNN, MTV, The Sarah Palin Vlogs): Family Hour (9:00 pm),

organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track! (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] inventive & hilarious sketch comedy from The Harvard Sailing Team (9:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] improvised furious action from world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer (10:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] taking the prize for oddball event of the evening, popular masculine NYC comics—including Jared Logan,. John Morrison,and Sean Donnelly—perform comedy in drag at Madame Katie’s House of Ladies (11:00 pm),

[$] star comics Dave Attell, Lynn Koplitz, and more performing late-night shows at Comedy Cellar (11:00 pm & 12:45 am),

improv troupes Bastian and The Scam (with such stellar talents as Jeff Hiller, Tara Copeland, Jesse Falcon, and Kevin Hines) snuggle up for laughs at Saturday Night Slumber Party (midnight),

[$] and a provocative comedy star who’s written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle’s Show and David Letterman, headlining at Carolines: Paul Mooney (12:30 am).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 4/24/09

April 24, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Kevin Pollak

Kevin Pollak

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:

sharp stand-ups Desiree Burch (VH1’s Best Night Ever, one-woman show 52 Man Pickup), Jiwon Li (Comedy Central, NBC, AMC, ESPN, Air America), Dan Hirshon (Boston Comedy Festival), and more at Calvin S. Cato’s show for our current economy: Nouveau Poor (7:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] a movie star demonstrating he’s also a top stand-up comic and killer funny impersonator in a deliciously long set tonight and Saturday: Kevin Pollak Headlining at Carolines (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] one of the most razor-sharp and uproariously funny storytellers in the country performing a one-man show that should not be missed: Chris Gethard’s Magic Box of Stories (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] clever wordplay, conceptual comedy, and relentless silliness—in an all-new show based around the already-goofy film Con Air—from sketch troupe Elephant Larry (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] [$] brilliant stand-ups—who also happen to be staff writers for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon—Anthony Jeselnik (one of the finest comics in the biz; HBO, Comedy Central Presents), Morgan Murphy (former staff writer for Jimmy Kimmel and Crank Yankers), and more at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Writers of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),

brilliant comedic storyteller Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime), Margartet Dodge (drummer for Manson Family Singers), Danny Leary (MTV, here! TV), and more at a gay-themed comedy show hosted by Jenny Rubin: The Back Room (9:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers (9:30 pm),

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

odd and unsettling dark comedy from—for better or worse—one of the most fearless sketch troupes in New York: Murderfist (11:00 pm),

Derrick hosting two sketch comedy troupes, Bleak! Comedy and Geek Dreams, competing for audience laugh & votes at Backyard Brawl (11:00 pm),

five women performing an improvised, and possibly tipsy, parody of The View at Focus (11:30 pm),

[FREE] a free opportunity for you to perform improv with UCBT veterans at Jammin’ with Ralph (12:20ish am).

[$] and a provocative comedy star who’s written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle’s Show and David Letterman, headlining at Carolines: Paul Mooney (12:30 am).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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