NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 7/16/11

July 16, 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.

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:

Andy Christie and Judah Friedlander

Andy Christie both performs at and hosts tonight's "Liar Show;" Judah Friedlander headlines through Sunday at Carolines

[TOP PICK] [$] 6:00 pm ($15, which includes 1 drink; reservations highly recommended by calling 212.989.9319): 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 Ophira Eisenberg (brilliant storyteller and sharp stand-up with notable bangs; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime, host of TV pilot of The Liar Show), Kambri Crews (author of upcoming Jan. 2012 memoir Burn Down the Ground; comedy publicist), Ryan Britt (Nerve.com), and Andy Christie (The New York Times, NPR, Moth GrandSlam Champion, exceptionaly nice guy). Come to the West Village’s Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street) and let host Andy Christie attempt to mislead you at The Liar Show

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

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($27.50 & 2-drink min.) Judah Friedlander is a hilarious stand-up and occasional agent of chaos. Judah is a cast member of 30 Rock, and has also performed on VH1’s Best Week Ever, HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, MTV’s Wonder Showzen, and NBC’s The Tonight Show. In addition, Judah has acted in over 20 films, including such hit comedies as Meet the Parents, Zoolander,  and Full Grown Men. Judah was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his role in American Splendor. When asked in an interview about his influences, Judah responded: “Audiences. They are often the forgotten ingredient in stand-up comedy. Stand-up is live entertainment, and a live audience is needed. Also, whatever is happening at the moment. I play off of that. The moment is a big influence. If you’re not playing the moment you’re not doing stand-up comedy–someone just reciting material but not responding with what’s going on in the room is not stand-up comedy.” This playful, anarchic, in-the-moment comedy veteran—and author of the book How to Beat Up Anybody—is headlining tonight through Sunday at Carolines: Judah Friedlander

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): An acclaimed stand-up who co-stars on IFC’s Z Rock, and has also performed on truTV, TBS, and her own Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, headlining tonight at the Gotham Comedy Club: Lynne Koplitz

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Raunchy singer Ben Lerman, and stand-ups Matt McCarthy, Pat O’Shea, and George Gordon, performing at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Ray DeVito, Ben Kronberg, Nick Cobb, and Tim Dimond: Shoot the Shite

[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!

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): One of the most award-winning sketch troupes in the country, and a highly popular sketch troupe singing about politics, in a one-night-only double-bill: The Harvard Sailing Team and 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

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Stand-up, sketch, and who knows what else at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by a stand-up/sketch duo: Team Submarine and Friends

[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 as comedy duo Trike

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): ” It’s revenge. It’s vengeance. It’s hot comedy wrestling action as only the UCBW can bring you. Don’t miss a night of hilarious characters beating the shit out of each other. Get your tickets NOW! Only 14,000 seats available!:” UCBW: Revengeance

[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups James Adomian, Barry Rothbart, Adam Newman, and more at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City, with hosts Andy Haynes & Nick Turner promising “a rowdy late night comedy melee with beers being thrown, jokes being told, partial nudity, audience participation…there’s no telling what might happen:” Midnight Run

[FREE] Midnight: 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

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.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 2/5/11

February 5, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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

Jim O'Grady and Sara Barron

Top storytellers Jim O'Grady and Sara Barron perform at Andy Christie's always fun "The Liar Show"

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[TOP PICK] [$] 6:00 pm ($15, which includes 1 drink; reservations highly recommended by calling 212.989.9319): 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 Sara Barron (author ofPeople Are Unappealing; NPR’s The American Life), Jim O’Grady (WNYC, The New York Times), Lisa Kirchner (The Washington Post, Salon.com), and Steve Zimmer (Moth GrandSlam Champion). Come to the West Village’s Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street) and let host Andy Christie (The New York Times, Moth GrandSlam Champion) attempt to mislead you at The Liar Show

7:00 pm ($5): A new musical/rap improv group debuts at The PIT: The Boombox Kids

[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

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm & 11:45 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A stand-up who’s starred in his ownComedy Central Presents special, and appeared on ABC’s The View and NBC’s Showtime at the Apollo, headlining at the Gotham Comedy Club: Louis Ramey

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—and the Cage Match Champion for three 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] [$] [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 see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award last year 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

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King: Reuben Williams

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

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): Andrea Rosen (HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, Comedy Central’s Stella, Variety SHAC), Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central, AMC, Verizon FIOS guy, Front Page Films, The Other Guys, comedy CD Come Clean), Caitlin Tegart (ESPN, ace UCBT sketch comedy writer), and more “celebrating the seedy and urbane life in America; think of us as The Prairie Home Companion, just a little more fucked up” at Andy Rocco’s Underground Americana

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

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 12/31/10

December 31, 2010

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

The recommendations for the best in New York City comedy on New Year’s Eve are:

Leslie Goshko

[TOP PICK] [$] 5:00 pm ($20, which includes 1 glass of champaign; reservations highly recommended by calling 212.989.9319): 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 Ophira Eisenberg (brilliant storyteller and host of The Liar Show TV pilot; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime), Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion, host of Sideshow Goshko), Peter Aguero (Conan O’Brien), and Colin Dempsey (ComedyLand). Come to the West Village’sCornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street) and let host Andy Christie (The New York Times, Moth GrandSlam Champion) attempt to mislead you at this special year-end edition of The Liar Show

And, if money is no object:

Amy Schumer

New Year’s Eve with Amy Schumer & Joe DeRosa

Amy Schumer (Comedy Central Presents, Last Comic Standing, Jimmy Fallon, huge recent national TV ads) and Joe DeRosa (HBO’s Down and DirtyComedy Central Presents, co-host of Righteous Kill, comedy CD The Depression Auction) help you ring in the New Year via an early show at 7:30 pm ($85, including open bar) or the real deal at 9:30 pm ($110, including open bar). To purchase tickets, please click here.

7:30 pm ($85, includes open bar) & 9:30 pm ($110, includes open bar) at Comix,

353 West 14th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues)

 

New Year’s Eve with Sandra Bernhard

A comic who’s been a movie star and singer, and has experienced a roller coaster career but remains a performer unlike any other, doing a new show with her band at Joe’s Pub at 9:00 pm ($100) and 11:00 pm ($150). For details and/or to order tickets, please click here.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Tuesday 5/4/10

May 4, 2010

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

World-class storytellers Ophira Eisenberg, Faye Lane, Adam Wade, and more tell hard-to-believe tales at the Comix Comedy Club tonight for The Liar Show

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm ($19.25 online using code VIPMAY, plus two-drink minimum): Eight world-class writer/performers tell personal stories. Six of them are true…but two are a pack of lies. Then the audience asks questions to try to figure out who’s fibbing…and the ones who guess right get a free t-shirt! Tonight’s yarn-spinners are among the finest in the country—Adam Wade, Ophira Eisenberg, Faye Lane, Martin Dockery, Tracy Rowland, Ryan Britt, Ed Gavagan, and Carter Edwards—joining wonderful host Andy Christie (The New York Times, Moth GrandSlam Champion) at the elegant Comix Comedy Club for The Liar Show

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Witty writers offering delightfully silly lectures about “Success Stories” (e.g., Mullets, Mormons, and Maniacs, in which Jonah Peretti explains “how to succeed on the Web at all costs”) at Charles Star’s Brooklyn comedic show Adult Education

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Legendary comics artist John Romita, Jr. (Avengers, Thor, and virtually every other major Marvel Comics hero ) joins super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups Leah Dubie, Vidur Kapur, Stephanie Holmes, Danny Solomon, and Nick Vatterott—plus Jackie Silvestri singing “Spicify My Love”—all performing at Cellar 58 (58 Second Avenue) alongside delightful host Abbi Crutchfield and comedic rapster Andrew Singer: Positively Awesome

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm to midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Ragnaröck, Badman, Sandino, DeCoster, and Monstro; and at 11:00 pm a double-bill blast of improv duo geniuses as Lennon Parham (CBS’ Accidentally on Purpose) and Zach Woods (NBC’s The Office) perform as Skinny Business, and The Two-Man Movie (Neil Casey & Anthony Atamanuik make up an entire feature film)—all at Harold Night

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm (reservations required by emailing ditchcomedybond@gmail.com): Superb stand-ups Ali Wong, Rachel Feinstein, Mark Normand, and Jonathan Spang performing at Brooklyn’s Building on Bond for this free monthly event hosted by Yannis Pappas: A Very Good Comedy Show

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Lightning-fast & thoroughly hilarious Pete Holmes (one of the very best stand-ups in the country; Comedy Central Presents, The Daily Show, John Oliver’s NY Stand-Up, VH1’s Best Week EverThe New Yorker, host of hit shows Punch Up Your Life and Gutbucket), Ted Alexandro (also one of the finest stand-ups in the country; David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, two Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials), Matt Goldich (writer for David Letterman), Casey Jost & Jay Miller (writers for JImmy Fallon), and “a very special DJ/co-host” performing at The Slipper Room for the LES weekly show hosted by the wonderful Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet

9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Sharp NYC comics telling their funniest one-liners at host Matt Goldich’s 25 Words or Less

[FREE] 11:00 pm: Free open-mic stand-up show that’s seldom much fun for audience members but is a nice opportunity if you want 4-5 minutes to test out your comedy material on stage: Bring It

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 2/27/10

February 27, 2010

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Delightful storytellers Ophira Eisenberg, Faye Lane, and birthday host Andy Christie tell hard-to-believe tales tonight at The Liar Show

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

[TOP PICK] 4:00 pm ($10): Razor-sharp, adorable, irresistible comedic storyteller Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Champion, host of Sideshow Goshko) spins yarns about her childhood in her one-woman show Vodka Shoes

[TOP PICK] [$] 6:00 pm ($15 including one drink; reservations via calling Cornelia Street Cafe at 212.989.9319 highly recommended): Four world-class writer/performers tell personal stories. Three of them are true…but one is a pack of lies. Then the audience asks questions to try to figure out who’s fibbing. Tonight’s yarn-spinners are Ophira Eisenberg (sharp stand-up and brilliant storyteller; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime), Faye Lane (delightful storyteller, host of Beauty Shop Stories), and Ryan Britt (Nerve.com), and Steve Osborne (NYPC Gang Squad Detective), both performing and celebrating the birthday of wonderful host Andy Christie Andy Christie (The New York Times, Moth GrandSlam Champion) at The Liar Show

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:00 pm ($18): One of the highlights of FringeNYC 2008 was Allen Warnock and Andrea Alton (members of sketch troupe Freedumb) teaming up to create hilarious characters in a very silly and fun show—for my review, please click here. The production has now been revived for a commercial run through February 28th: Carl & Shelly: Best Friends Forever

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): 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

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($35 & 2-drink min.): A comedy superstar from Curb Your Enthusiasm headlining at Carolines: Jeff Garlin

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($34.57 online if you use code VIPFEB, plus 2-item minimum): A star stand-up who’s done half-hour comedy specials for HBO, Comedy Central, and Showtime; was a regular on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and cast member on FOX’s The Jury; appeared repeatedly on Late Night with Conan O’Brien; and guest starred on such TV shows as NBC’s The Office and FOX’s Arrested Development, headlining at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Patrice Oneal

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm ($20): Superb comics Livia Scott (Conan O’Brien), Scott Adsit (30 Rock, Moral Orel, Adsit & Gausas), Lizz Winstead (The Daily Show), Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, Sweet), and Henry Zebrowski (Murderfist) joining host Rob Kutner (former staff writer for Conan O’Brien and The Daily Show) for a very Jew-y celebration (for s video sneak preview, please click here) at Purim Party 2010

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—and which recently won the Cage Match Championship for two years in a row!—genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Sharp NYC comics—who tonight are Stuckey and Murray, Margot Leitman, Adrienne Iapalucci, Bex Schwartz, and comedy’s finest cookie baker H. Alan Scott (who will likely be supplying free treats to the audience, which is reason to brave the snow all by itself)—telling funny, poignant, and at times unforgettable tales about their relatives at Ochi’s Lounge for a show hosted by gorgeous rising star Sara Benincasa (CNN, MTV, The Sarah Palin Vlogs): Family Hour with Auntie Sara

9:00 pm ($5): 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, 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 as comedy trio Trike

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): “The most fabulous show on Earth,” hosted by Tim Gunn (John Flynn) and Tim Gunn (Michael Hartney), featuring brilliant comedic performers (both straight and gay) including Kate McKinnon, Shayna Ferm, Jeff Hiller, Sue Galloway, and Megan Neuringer, plus two audience members who’ll be selected to compete in a design challenge, at The Same Sex-Tacular

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.


NYC Top Comedy Choices for Thursday 10/1/09

October 1, 2009

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Faye Lane

Faye Lane

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 ($5): Stellar sketch troupe Trophy Dad, brilliant comic Jeff Hiller, and a sketch troupe I haven’t yet seen called The Bilderbergers each perform a new show at the UCBT showcase Spank

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm ($13 online using discount code ACLIAR & 2-item min.): TV pilot taping of a superb comedy show in which people tell stories about themselves—two of the stories are true, but one of them is a pack of lies. Then the audience, and a panel of “inquisitors,” ask questions to try to figure out who’s fibbing. Tonight’s host is Ophira Eisenberg; the storytellers are Faye Lane, Martin Dockery, and the show’s creator Andy Christie; and the inquisitors are Kevin Allison (The State), Mark Katz (renowned political speechwriter), and George Dawes Green (founder of The Moth), all at The Liar Show

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): One of my very favorite funny couples, the brilliant Mary Theresa Archbold and Pat Shay, debut a new comedic play in which they explore love through history in an attempt to make the title of this show come true: Pat and Mary Save Their Marriage

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): A hilarious comedic musical about young les love that you should see at least once (plus, on this double-bill, sketch from troupe New Excitement): Girl Camp

8:00 pm ($8): “Mandy Schmieder laughs for no apparent reason. An outburst can occur at any time: in utter silence, after seeing someone injure themselves, or simply if she’s been looking at monkeys for too long at the zoo. What does Mandy think is so damn funny? Find out in this one-woman show directed by Pat Shay:” Shemandigans

8:00 pm ($5): Sharp improvisors directed by James Eason “take an audience suggestion and break it into a million funny pieces” in The Deconstruction

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Superb comics Anthony Atamanuik, David Reese, Starlee Kine, and Brent Sullivan join the fresh, sexy, and razor-sharp gals of Variety SHAC

[$] 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 through Sunday at Carolines: Paul Mooney

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): After the upset of the year—genius improv troupe Death by Roo Roo losing its 22-in-a-row winning streak last week to challenger Classic Masculinity—CM defends its new crown against improv troupe Daddy in a battle for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.