NYC Comedy Picks for Week of June 6, 2011

NYC Comedy Picks for Monday 6/6/11

Nick Kroll Adira Amram

Stars Nick Kroll and Adira Amram join Kurt & Kristen at tonight's Hot Tub Variety

 

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

 

7:00 pm ($5): "Free love, free music, and free peace blankets by the first aid tent. Come dig our musical sketch show. With this many hippies on one cattle farm, things are bound to get really wild! Just don't eat the brown acid, man:" Beefstock 1969

7:00 pm ($10, or whatever you care to pay): A one-man show "based on true experiences as Roman Rimer traveled through the Southern United States with the non-profit Sanctuary Collective to do community organizing with LGBTQ Youth in Christian Communities. Themes of Evolution include spirituality, identity, fear and how they all intersect and affect everyone. Roman also takes off his shirt and runs around:" The Evolution Revolution

[FREE] 7:30 pm: NYC stand-ups Jon Rineman (Jimmy Fallon), Meghan Hanley, Dan Soder (Comedy Central), Adrienne Iapalucci, Nimesh Patel, and Jono Zalay performing at a free weekly show in the Manchester Pub hosted by Phoebe Robinson: Case of the Mondays Comedy

[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 for Saturday Night Live) to form a super-smart and hilarious star improv duo who should not be missed: John & Scott

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($6.50 online or $8 at the door): TV & movie star Nick Kroll (one of the most brilliantly funny comics alive), Shenoah Allen (The Pajama Men), Desiree Burch (new one-woman show Tar Baby), musical guest Teen Girl Science Monthly—and for all of June, as house band the super-amazing Adira Amram and the Experience (winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Musical Act)—performing at Brooklyn's Littlefield (622 Degraw Street) with sketches and more from a duo who between them won four 2011 ECNY Awards—including Best Variety Show and Best Hosts—Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler: Hot Tub Variety

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($10): My #1 pick for the 2007 FringeNYC Festival, this wonderful group of actresses/improvisors portray characters as if they were in a play, but improvise everything they say and do. The luminous performers include Katharine Heller, Brenna Palughi, Lynne Rosenberg, Lauren Seikaly, and Molly Knefel, each of whom is immensely appealing and quick-witted. Further, they have an intimate, lovely chemistry with each other; and they've all committed to baring their personal lives, thinly disguised via their characters (hence the title's Naked). As a result, this is one of the most honest & nuanced improvised shows you'll ever see. This show was previously a wonderful theatrical event that cost $18 and up. Don't miss this run at The PIT that allows you to catch the gals for a mere $10: Naked in a Fishbowl

9:00 pm ($7): Duo improv set in the roarin' 1920s from David Levin & Alex Marino in The Cousins Zell

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Two of UCBT's fine house sketch comedy troupes, Dweeb and Thunder Gulch, trying out new bits at Maude Night

[FREE] 9:30 pm: Adi Blotman, Carolina Hidalgo, Justin Murray, Chris Laker, Minday Raf, Jason Kantner, Juliana Forlano, and Matt Nagin performing stand-up at Pat O'Shea's and Troy Bynum's free weekly Brooklyn showcase at Freddy's Backroom (627 5th Avenue): Ed Sullivan on Acid

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Open-mic sketch, stand-up, improv, videos, and anything else quick & comedic, at The Magnet with host Leanne Linsky: Casual Sketch

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 11:00 pm: Some of the finest comics in the world—who haven't been announced yet, but you can check for updates by clicking here—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (HBO, Saturday Night Live, Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central) at Whiplash

[FREE] 11:00 pm: If you're an audience member who loves stand-up, Monday at 11 should be Whiplash! night (see listing above). If you're a comic who couldn't get booked on UCBT's all-star show, though, you can opt to instead practice your skills at this stand-up open mic hosted by Michelle Wolf and the hilarious Erin Lennox (for a sample of Erin's dynamite Seriously Sports show, please click here): Fresh

 

 

NYC Comedy Picks for Tuesday 6/7/11

Mamrie Hart Leah Rudick

Mamrie Hart and Leah Rudick belting it out in preparation for tonight's spectacular all-musical The Moon Show...

Adam Wade Bobby Moynihan

...Adam Wade explains how to pick up women at Adult Education, and SNL's Bobby Moynihan performs at Sweet

 

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

 

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): Three of Canada's most celebrated improvisers, Naomi Snieckus, Ron Pederson, and Matt Baram, bring fresh, artful, and provoking spectacle to life in the fashion of an improvised one-act play:" Impromptu Splendor

7:00 pm ($5): Young, adorable performers make up a musical on the spot as Zamboni Musical Improv

[FREE] 7:00 pm: Open mic for comedy of all types (with sign-up starting at 6:00) at Queens LIC's The Creek hosted by Robert Dean: The Dean's List

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Witty writers offering delightfully wry lectures about  this month's topic "The Experimental Method"—e.g., What is the Right Way to Pick Up Ladies at Bars? by storytelling genius Adam Wade, The Twelve Steps of Twitter in which Corey Randolph explains how "through trial and error he learned to get his work done by completely avoiding it," and Life is the Orgy You Make It, all at Brooklyn's Union Hall for Charles Star's comedic show Adult Education

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): TV & movie star Kristen Schaal (one of the funniest women alive; shining star correspondent on The Daily Show; co-star of HBO's Flight of the Conchords; Comedy Central Presents half-hour special; star of UK TV series Penelope: Princess of Pets; co-host of Hot Tub Variety; co-author of bestselling book The Sexy Book of Sexy Sex), Eric Legin & Justin Shanes (staff writers for Jimmy Fallon), Hari Kondabolu (Comedy Central Presents, Jimmy Kimmel), and musical guest Michelle Leona-GodinTodd performing at the Lolita Bar at Liam McEneaney's Tell Your Friends

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Comic book creators join super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage for a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club

8:00 pm to Midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Ragnaröck, Standard Oil, Very Good Kiss, Sandino, and CAPTCHA, and at 11:00 pm a small army of advanced UCBT improv students trying to snatch order from chaos—all at Harold Night

8:00 pm ($5): "A panel of comedians give their hilarious takes on the more grim/sensational crime stories taken from NYC's daily newspapers. It's live comedy with a streak of yellow journalism and dark New York flavor," with tonight's guests Big Jay Oakerson, Danny Solomon, and Chemda at Queens LIC's The Creek hosted by Pat Dixon (Comedy Central Presents): The New York City Crime Report

[MEGA-TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:30 pm: A spectacular night of musical comics "who will delight the senses with personal interpretations of selections from their favorite musicals," featuring such wonderful talents as Adira Amram, Mamrie Hart, Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting, Tom Shillue, John Flynn, and many more 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, in this not-to-be-missed edition of The Moon Show

8:30 pm ($5): In this double-bill, each of two of The Magnet's singing improv troupes will make up a musical on the spot based on an audience suggestion: Rebound and The Sound & the Fury

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): A rare appearance by Bobby Moynihan (beloved stellar cast member of Saturday Night Live), Craig Baldo (Conan O'Brien, VH1), and John O'Donnell performing at Ella (9 Avenue A) hosted by Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, VH1): Sweet

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 9:00 pm: Some of the most inept movie scenes of New York City being destroyed by a natural disaster, with clips from The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Knowing (2009), Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999), and Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York (2006), guided by stand-ups Dan St. Germain, Mark Normand, Mike Lawrence, Robert Dean, and Danny Solomon at Queens LIC's The Creek downstairs lounge hosted by Pat Dixon: Hey We Live There!: Tidal Waves, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes

[FREE] 9:30 pm: Stand-up, sketch, videos, and more at Queens LIC's The Creek upstairs theatre with Jeffrey Joseph and hosts Ron Krasnow & Joel Walkowski: The Short Bus

[FREE] 10:15 pm: In this free show, audience members can join in with veteran musical improv talents to make up stories in song on the spot: Musical Magnet Mixer

[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

 

 

NYC Comedy Picks for Wednesday 6/8/11

SketchFest NYC 2011

This year's magical SketchFest NYC runs June 8-11 at UCBT.
Participants on this opening night include:

Kurt & Kristen  Shayna Ferm

Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler (Kurt & Kristen), Shayna Ferm (Sketch Rocks!)...

Kate McKinnon  Adira Amram

...Kate McKinnon (Gramp's and This Is About Smith), and Adira Amram (Sketch Rocks!)

 

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

 

 

[FREE] 6:00 pm to midnight: Six free hours of improvisation at The PIT's Super Free Wednesday

7:00 pm, 8:30 pm, and 10:00 pm ($5): Magnet house troupes performing improv, followed by a free show at 11:30 pm: The Magnet's Megawatt

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 7:00 pm - 1:00 am: One of the most delightful comedy festivals to grace NYC, this seventh annual SketchFest boasts shows from Kurt & Kristen, The Onion, The Harvard Sailing Team, The Whitest Kids U' Know, Comedy Central Digital, Channel 101, and even Marvel Comics!

Other notable shows include a one-night-only reunion of acclaimed all-gal troupe Meat; a "Secret Screening" of something special Friday at midnight; and often the most delightful event of the whole shebang, the closing night Craptacular featuring material from festival participants too rude or bizarre to fit into their regular shows, and this year hosted by Jon Friedman (The Rejection Show).

To get a feel for some of the best troupes who'll be participating, please click here.

Produced by Alex Zalben, who has superb comedic taste, this is a four-evening extravaganza worth experiencing. Many of these shows will almost certainly sell out, so buy tickets in advance for the ones you want ($10 each); or simply opt for the $100 all-you-can-see pass to get into any and every show of SketchFest NYC 2011

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5—which includes a free beer!): Sara Schaefer (Jimmy Fallon, VH1), Eric Bergstrom (author of Grimmer Tales), David Cope (Comedy Central), Kevin Barnett (Roundtable of Gentlemen), and Yannis Pappas (MTV, VH1) performing at The Creek in Queens' Long Island City with host Nick Turner: Monsters

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:30 pm ($10 plus $10 drink minimum; for reservations, call 212.989.9319): Some of the finest stand-ups in NYC—Jessie Klein, Brooke Van Poppelen, Jared Logan, Dan St. Germain, and Jordan Carlos—performing at the West Village's Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street) with host Gilad Foss: Comedy Under Cornelia

[FREE] 10:00 pm: All-gal line-up of Robin Fox, Mara Herron, and Jeni Aron performing stand-up at the Bar-Tini Ultra Lounge (542 Tenth Avenue, between 45th & 46th Streets) for a gay-themed show hosted by Adam Sank: That Sank Show

[FREE] 11:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up running until 1:00 am, with time divided evenly between performers (up to five minutes), at The Creek in Queens' Long Island City with host Rob Stern: Bucket 'O Buckets

 

 

NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 6/9/11

This year's magical SketchFest NYC runs June 8-11 at UCBT.
Last night Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler provided organic, nonstop laughs; they've never been better.
Musical comics Adira Amram, Shayna Ferm, and Snakes (Adam Lustick, Billy Scafuri, and Chloé Wepper)
were all thoroughly wonderful in Sketch Rocks. And UCBT house troupe Gramp's proved itself
among the best in NYC, thanks in large measure to sketch genius Kate McKinnon.
Notable participants on this second night include:

Mamrie Hart and Stephen Soroka Laura Grey and Jordan Klepper

Mamrie Hart & Stephen Soroka (BoF), and Danielle & Tiffany Puterbaugh (The Puterbaugh Sisters Variety Hour)

 

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

 

 

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 7:00 pm - 1:00 am: One of the most delightful comedy festivals to grace NYC, this seventh annual SketchFest boasts shows from The Onion, The Harvard Sailing Team, The Whitest Kids U' Know, Comedy Central Digital, and even Marvel Comics!

Other notable shows include a one-night-only reunion of acclaimed all-gal troupe Meat; a "Secret Screening" of something special Friday at midnight; and often the most delightful event of the whole shebang, the closing night Craptacular featuring material from festival participants too rude or bizarre to fit into their regular shows, and this year hosted by Jon Friedman (The Rejection Show).

To get a feel for some of the best troupes who'll be participating, please click here.

Produced by Alex Zalben, who has superb comedic taste, this is a four-evening extravaganza worth experiencing. Many of these shows will almost certainly sell out, so buy tickets in advance for the ones you want ($10 each); or simply opt for the $100 all-you-can-see pass to get into any and every show of SketchFest NYC 2011

[TOP PICK] [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 Sean Patton—with tonight being the gala Fourth Year Anniversary edition, running past 1:00 am: Comedy as a Second Language

9:30 pm ($5): Any show ballsy enough to begin its description with "Have you ever loved a mop? Susan-Kate Heaney has..." is worth exploring. Tonight is the debut of this one-woman show at The PIT: Confessions of a Mop-oholic

[$] 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

11:00 pm ($5): NYC stand-ups Paul Hooper, Thomas Dale, and Jason Good performing at The PIT for this comedy club-style (i.e., long set) weekly show hosted by Harrison Greenbaum: The Big One

11:00 pm ($5): Two improv groups competing for audience laughs and votes—yes, like UCBT's Cage Match, but with less well-known troupes and a game-like challenge component—at Inspirado

 

 

NYC Comedy Picks for Friday 6/10/11

SketchFest NYC 2011

It's the third evening of the magical SketchFest NYC 2011 at UCBT.
Among the most notable participants tonight are:

The Whitest Kids U' Know Laura Grey and Jordan Klepper

The Whitest Kids U' Know, Klepper & Grey...

Harvard Sailing Team Murderfist

...The Harvard Sailing Team, and Murderfist

 

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

 

 

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 7:00 pm - 1:00 am: One of the most delightful comedy festivals to grace NYC, this seventh annual SketchFest boasts shows from The Onion, The Harvard Sailing Team, The Whitest Kids U' Know, Comedy Central Digital, and even Marvel Comics!

Other notable shows include a one-night-only reunion of acclaimed all-gal troupe Meat; a "Secret Screening" of something special Friday at midnight; and often the most delightful event of the whole shebang, the closing night Craptacular featuring material from festival participants too rude or bizarre to fit into their regular shows, and this year hosted by Jon Friedman (The Rejection Show).

To get a feel for some of the best troupes who'll be participating, please click here.

Produced by Alex Zalben, who has superb comedic taste, this is an extravaganza worth experiencing. Many of these shows will almost certainly sell out, so buy tickets in advance for the ones you want ($10 each); or simply opt for the $40 all-you-can-see-that-day pass to get into any and every show of SketchFest NYC 2011

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

[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

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Jason Good, David Smithyman, Louis Katz, and Karl Hess performing stand-up at O'Hanlon's (14th Street off 1st Avenue) hosted by Mark Normand: Hot Soup

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

[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 downstairs lounge of The Creek in Queens' Long Island City: Mic and Cheese

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] 11:00 pm ($8): The winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group (for a sample, please click here): Serious Lunch

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 tonight include such talents as Laura Grey (Klepper & Grey): The Friday Night Sh*w

[$] 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

 

 

NYC Comedy Picks for Saturday 6/11/11

It's the finale of the magical SketchFest NYC 2011 at UCBT.
Among the most notable participants during today's 12-hour fest are:

Meat Sketch Comedy Elephant Larry

Meat and Elephant Larry...

Marvel Comics The Onion News Network

...panels from Marvel Comics and The Onion News Network...

The Other Other Guys Craptacular

...and The Other Other Guys and The Closing Night Craptacular

 

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

 

 

[MEGA-TOP PICK] 1:00 pm - 2:00 am: One of the most delightful comedy festivals to grace NYC, this seventh annual SketchFest boasts shows from The Onion, The Whitest Kids U' Know, Marvel Comics, and a one-night-only reunion of acclaimed all-gal troupe Meat. And it concludes with what's often the most delightful event of the whole shebang, a Craptacular featuring material from festival participants too rude or bizarre to fit into their regular shows, and this year hosted by Jon Friedman (The Rejection Show).

To get a feel for some of the best troupes who'll be participating, please click here.

Produced by Alex Zalben, who has excellent comedic taste, this is an extravaganza worth experiencing. The past three days of SketchFest have featured superb shows from such stellar troupes as Kurt & Kristen, Pangea 3000, Harvard Sailing Team, Murderfist, BriTANick, Fraidy Cat (starring Meghan O'Neill), The Pyramid Shew (starring Megan Kellie and directed by Laura Grey), and stellar musical acts from Adira Amram, Shayna Ferm, Mindy Raf, The Cowmen, and Snakes (Adam Lustick, Billy Scafuri, and Chloé Wepper).

This final day runs over 12 hours, from 1:00 pm till however long the midnight Craptacular takes. Many of these shows will almost certainly sell out, so buy tickets in advance for the ones you want ($10 each); or, even better, simply opt for the $40 all-you-can-see pass to get into any and every show of this final day of SketchFest NYC 2011

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

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($5): Comedy veterans Laura Grey (Second City, Baggage with Jordan Klepper at UCBT), Jodi Lennon (Second City, Annoyance Theatre, iO, Exit 57), and Ari Voukydis (Conan O'Brien, VH1) performing an improvised play in What a Year!

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

[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

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

[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($7): Ace storyteller 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), stand-up Sheng Wang (Comedy Central), white rapper Carolyn Castiglia (VH1), and "a surprise guest" performing at The PIT's downstairs lounge hosted by Laura Prangley: Too Soon

10:00 pm ($5): Sketch troupes The Nice Brothers (Adam Newman & Trevor Williams), The New Deal, and Weekend of Regret, plus stand-ups Karl Hess and Sean Hart, performing at the The Brooklyn Lyceum (227 Fourth Avenue) hosted by all-gal sketch troupe M.A.D. and all-guy sketch group Sidecar: Gentrify Brooklyn

10:30 pm ($7): Improv from the four guys of Phooka

11:00 pm ($5): All-gal improv from Jennifer Bild, Christine DeNoon, Julianne Dunn, and Brandy Mitchell, plus stand-up from Michelle Wolf, and sketch from gal groups Firth and Funkle Todd: Goldie and the Hawns: A Night of Women in Comedy

[$] 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

 

 

NYC Comedy Picks for Sunday 6/12/11

Harrison Greenbaum

Brad Loekle jokes his way through hosting an evening of TV as his audience watches The TONY Awards at Therapy

 

Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight

(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

 

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 5:00 pm ($18.50 online using discount code ADVANCE ): 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 Sundays through June to experience the hilarious and unforgettable Faye Lane's Beauty Shop Stories

6:30 pm ($5):Rachel Axelrod & Jay Hoskins perform an improvised show about "a rundown fairgrounds full of surprise and horror and glee. In every tent, a wonder you've never seen. Behind every curtain, a terrible secret. Step right up for a night of stunts, scares and hilarity" in Holy Knievel; and in the other half of this double-bill, four characters enter a temporal loop a la Groundhog Day to live the same period over and over until they get it right, from troupe Arts Camp

[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

[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), Hari Kondabolu (Comedy Central Presents, Jimmy Kimmel), Nick Turner (host of Monsters and Too Cool for School), The Puterbaugh Sisters (SketchFest NYC 2011), Karl Hess, and Rae Sanni performing at RG Daniels' free weekly show at the Three of Cups East Village lounge: Sunday Night Stand-Up

8:00 pm ($5): A sketch show about time travel and unfortunate mistakes: Swartzlander: Unstuck; and in the other half of this double-bill, a one-woman show by Alexis Lambright about her quest to pop her cherry: Combating Adult Virginity

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups (not announced) performing at The PIT's downstairs lounge: Cold Soda Comedy

[FREE] 9:00 pm: Andrea Rosen (most hilarious pregnant stand-up alive; HBO's Flight of the Conchords, Comedy Central's Stella, Variety SHAC, winner of the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Stand-Up), Ben Kronberg, Seaton Smith, and Travis Irvine performing stand-up in the East Village's Beauty Bar at Vince Averill's & Jesse Popp's free weekly show Beauty Bar Comedy

9:30 pm ($5): A one-man show by Joe Dettmore about his life experiences "meeting a munchkin, dancing with the Lone Ranger, and touching Mohammed Ali's bare ass" in I'm From Where You are Going

[$] 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 tonight at Carolines: Paul Mooney

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: A TV night at this free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy as host Brad Loekle jokes through the TONY Awards: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up, with 4 minutes per comic, at The PIT's downstairs lounge hosted by Rob Stern: Vicious Cycle

 

 

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