Best New York Comedy

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Amanda Duarte

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:

[TOP PICK] four sharp storytellers—tonight consisting of Dan Allen (terrific stand-up comic who’s performed on Comedy Central, and will be opening for Ted Alexandro later tonight), Martin Dockery (storyteller acclaimed as “fantastic” by The New York Times), Jeff Rudell (Moth GrandSLAM Champion), and Sherri Eldin (stunning actress and singer/songwriter)—trying to mislead the audience at Andy Christie’s The Liar Show (6:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] superb comedic actress Amanda Duarte performing a one-woman show about working in the entertainment biz: Lucky Pink Wonderland (7:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] superb stand-ups Pat Dixon (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson, E!, FOX), Helen Hong (TLC, E!), Jena Friedman (Entertaining the Bartender), and more at Sean Sean Donnelly’s Lil Seany Boy (7:00 pm),

an exciting new NYC show developed at Chicago’s legendary iO theatre in which veteran improvisors create a play on the spot based on audience suggestions: New Play (7:30 pm),

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

[TOP PICK] a star stand-up comic who’s done two Comedy Central Presents specials, performed on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and The View, and is headlining tonight at the Comix Comedy Club: Ted Alexandro (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),

comics experiencing the rush of performing with no clothes on in The Naked Comedy Showcase (8:00 pm),

sharp NYC comics at a free stand-up comedy show hosted by star sketch/improv troupe Derrick in Queens’ Long Island City: This Is New York (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 recently delivered a magnificent performance to capture the 2009 Cage Match Championship—the brilliant and daring members of Death by Roo Roo (9:00 pm),

organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track! (9:00 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—tonight with free wine and beer, and audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer (10:30 pm),

and a comedy game show about life and trivia: Are You Paying Attention? (midnight).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Justin Purnell

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:

five free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday (7:00 pm-midnight),

[TOP PICK] brilliantly funny and sexy rising star Adira Amram’s unique show combining hilarious original songs, dancing, and spoofing of female sexuality mixed with incredible physical energy—and tonight featuring backup dancers and rockin’ band The Experience—at Adira Amram is an American Idol (8:00 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),

talented stand-ups Joe Pontillo, H. Alan Scott, Adam Lehman, Dan Upham, and Susan Alexander at the free Shrink (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] terrific comics Wyatt Cenac, Chelsea Peretti, Todd Levin, and Will Hines performing in Brooklyn at a free show hosted by the hilarious Joe Mande & Noah Garfinkel: Totally J/K (9:30 pm),

[MEGA-TOP PICK] and what’s likely to be one of the most magical and memorable events of the year, a 5th Anniversary celebration of Justin Purnell’s wonderful weekly comedic variety show, tonight featuring Todd Barry, John Mulaney, Aubrey Plaza, The Buffoons, Krompf, and a breathtaking collection of other comics from Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, HBO, in a blow-out spectacular that may run past midnight and proves anything can happen on a School Night (9:30 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Pete Holmes

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:

the perfect show for short attention spans—open-mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours, who tonight include Doug Adler, Michael Buckley, Dan Cartwright, Dave Celestian, Nick Cobb, Chanelle Futrell, Jessie Geller, Cory Jarvis, and John Morrison—at John Morrison’s Broadway Motel (6:00 pm),

comedians getting rid of their stuff by telling tales about the items and then selling to the highest bidder at the fun Auction! (7:30 pm),

[TOP PICK] Bryan Lee O’Malley, creator of the popular Scott Pilgrim series, joining in on a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] witty writers offering delightfully silly explanations, ranging from how to become a superfan to how to raise an ape in your own home, in the Brooklyn comedic lecture show Adult Education (8:00 pm),

three full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Whorenado, The F*cking Kennedys, The Law Firm, The Scam, and DeCoster—at Harold Night (8:00 pm),

[TOP PICK] and brilliant stand-ups Pete Holmes (VH1’s Best Week Ever, Comedy Central, The New Yorker), Leo Allen (writer for Saturday Night Live 2002-2005, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central), Matt McCarthy (Comedy Central, Verizon Fios commercials), and Roger Hailes (Chappelle’s Show, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1) at the wonderful Seth Herzog’s Sweet (9:00 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Michael Ian Black

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks marked by colored brackets) include:

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

[TOP PICK] a comedy star (NBC’s Ed, MTV’s The State) headlining at Carolines: Michael Ian Black (8:00 pm),

typically stellar stand-ups at what’s often among the funniest free productions in NYC from hosts Greg Johnson and Jacqueline Novak: President Johnson (8:00 pm),

and terrific stand-ups Leah Dubie (Comedy Central, Dykes on Mics), Chantal Carrere (Logo’s Wisecrack), Dave Rubin (here! TV, The Back Room), and Yamaneika (BET) at a free gay-themed show hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour (10:00 pm).

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.