From November 4-9, the city will be crawling (perhaps literally) with some of the best comedians in the country for the fifth annual New York Comedy Festival. The likes of Sarah Silverman, Craig Ferguson, Louis C.K. and Frank Caliendo (pictured) will take the stage at Avery Fisher Hall, Town Hall, Carolines and multiple other venues around NYC. It would take considerable planning to see them all, so here's our list of the best shows...though wherever you go, you really can’t choose wrong.
TUE l WED l THU l FRI l SAT l SUN
Tuesday, Nov. 4
Stand Up for Diversity
Carolines on Broadway (1626 Broadway), 7 p.m.
$11
Start with the new: Each year NBC selects 3-5 cities across the country to hold auditions and live showcases in hopes of discovering some of the top diverse talent from that area. This is their stop in NYC, where 100 comics will get a chance to show what they've got.
We Have a Winner
92 Y (1395 Lexington Ave.), 8 p.m.
$27
Lizz Winstead, The Onion's Baratunde Thurston (The Onion), New York Post editorial reporter Robert George, conservatie commentator Monica Crowley, cartoonist Ted Rall and somebody named Roseanne Barr take a look back at the presidential election...which you certainly haven't had enough of by now. Get your Palin/Joe the Plumber jokes ready.
Frank Caliendo
Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Ave.), 8 p.m.
$37.50-$64.50
Anyone who's watched baseball on TBS knows Frank Caliendo, as the commercials for his sketch comedy show "Frank TV" are ubiquitous, to put it nicely...but don't let that deter you. Caliendo is an amazing impressionist, best known for his takes on George Bush and John Madden (who hates the impression, which tells you just how on the point it is).
Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Family Fund
Town Hall (123 West 43rd St.), 8 p.m.
$500-$1,000
Sure, you'd expect to see Ricky Gervais, John Pinette, and Whoopi Goldberg at a Comedy Festival, but Bruce Springsteen? The Boss hopefully will be singing, and not telling knock-knock jokes. The fundraiser helps support injured armed forces service members. Regis Philbin hosts.
MySpace Secret Standup Show
Carolines on Broadway (1626 Broadway), 7:00 p.m.
Free with MySpace Profile Printout
Come hear some of the comedians who have made MySpace comedy so popular. You may not know these stand-ups (yet), and the line-up is a secret anyway, but hey, the show is free!
Katt Williams
Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Ave.), 8 p.m.
$49.50-$93.50
The star of comedy specials like “American Hustle” and “The Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1" is one of the funniest (and hardest working) touring comedians on the circuit today. Not since old school Chris Rock has anyone better pointed out the charming differences between black people and white people. And, movie fans...you all loved "First Sunday," right?
Louis C.K.: They're With Me
Town Hall (123 W. 43rd St.), 8 p.m.
$35.50, $47.50
After having his criminally underrated HBO show "Lucky Louie" cancelled in one year, Louis C.K. shows he is both still funny and resilient. Did you know he also wrote and directed "Pootie Tang"? Highly recommended.
Sherri Shepherd and Friends
Carolines on Broadway (1626 Broadway), 9:30 p.m.
$34.75
Best known for being one of the women who regularly yells at Elizabeth Hasselbeck on "The View," many my forget that Shephard was a very successful standup who still performs regularly all over the city.
The Best Sketch in New York Showcase
Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (307 W. 26th St.), 7:30 p.m.
$10
If you are getting tired of watching standup, check out some of the best sketch comedy groups in New York at the UCB, including Elephant Larry, Sidecar, Harvard Sailing Team, Derrick, Dirty Jeans, and Thunderchief. Hosted by Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal.
An Evening with Craig Ferguson
Town Hall (123 W. 43rd St.), 8 p.m.
$35.50, $52.50
Film, television, stage and now comedien and talk show host: Craig Ferguson is quickly making a name for himself as the new rising star of late night, as his off the cuff comic timing is a breath of fresh air to those who had grown tired of the regular late night hosts.
Carlos Mencia: At Close Range
Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center (Columbus Ave. and 65th St.), 8 p.m
$32.50, $45.50, $52.50
Host of Comedy Central's "Mind of Mencia," the comedian is never afraid to play the ethnic card during his shows...if you like that kind of thing, tonight is your night.
Mike Birbiglia: Sleepwalk With Me
Bleecker Street Theatre (45 Bleecker Street), 8 p.m.
$51.50
Italian comic and New York native Birbiglia takes the audience on a funny and intensely personal journey through stories of his life and often violent bouts with sleepwalking.
Writers Speak! A Potentially Regrettable Evening with the Writers of "The Daily Show"
Paley Center for Media (25 W. 52nd St.), 8 p.m.
$30
Hear from the people who help Jon Stewart and "The Daily Show" become the place most people get their news from. Writers Kevin Bleyer, Rich Blomquist, Tim Carvell, J.R. Havlan, Rob Kutner, Sam Means, and Jason Ross, along with co-executive roducer Rory Albanese and head writer Steve Bodow, will all be in attendace. Moderated by David Remnick of The New Yorker.
Sarah Silverman and Friends
Hammerstein Ballroom (311 W. 34th St.) 8 p.m.
$35, $50, $65
Silverman gets in trouble when she does two minutes on any television show. Imagine what she could do with over an hour of stage time (though her recent failed excursion in London may portend some ugliness). Hopefully, she'll resurrect her riff on Nazis, last seen in her one-woman show "Jesus is Magic." Or maybe she will do a live rendition of "I'm F&$%ing Matt Damon" for the crowd.
Tracy Morgan: Coming Back Home
Apollo Theater (253 W.125th St.) 8 p.m.
$42.50, $52.50
Tracy Morgan wasn't that great on "SNL" (personal opinion), but he's riding high with the success of "30 Rock." Tonight, the Bronx native headlines the Apollo.
John Pinette
Carolines on Broadway (1626 Broadway), 10:30 p.m.
$38
Best known for referencing his girth in his comedy act, Pinette completed the ultimate fat joke by playing Edna Turnblad in the musical "Hairspray" on Broadway.
Deconstructing Conan: A Panel Discussion with the Writers of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
Paley Center for Media (25 W. 52nd St.), 3 p.m.
$30
For fourteen seasons, the Emmy Award–winning writers from "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" have generated some of the most absurd comedy on television. As the show gets ready to move up to Jay Leno's spot, here's a chance to get a peek behind the show's inner workings. Featuring writers Berkley Johnson, Brian McCann, Guy Nicolucci, Matt O'Brien, Brian Stack and head writer Mike Sweeney.
I Told You So: Negrodamus Paul Mooney and Dick Gregory Sound Off on the 2008 Presidential Election
Carolines on Broadway (1626 Broadway), 10:00 p.m. 12:30 a.m.
$38
Mooney has written for Richard Pryor and “Saturday Night Live," and made numerous appearances on “Chappelle’s Show,” so you know he likes to push the envelope. And since this year's Presidential Election is ripe with controversy and historical significance, he'll have plenty of targets to hit.
Brian Regan
Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center (Columbus Ave. and 65th St.), 8 p.m
$32, $47,50, $64.50
Regan, a late night TV regular, uses observational humor, is fairly self-deprecating, and, compared to most comedian, relatively clean. The more prudish types may enjoy this one the most.
B.J. Novak and Friends
Town Hall (123 W. 43rd St.), 8 p.m.
$35.50, $45.50
Novak is a writer, co-executive producer and co-star of "The Office" (he's Ryan...but don't hold that against him). Fun facts: He's also a Harvard grad and began his career on MTV's "Punk'd," possibly being the only person to acheive both designations.
Susie Essman
Carolines on Broadway (1626 Broadway), 8 p.m.
$38
Essman plays Susie Greene, wife of agent Jeff Greene, on the critically-acclaimed HBO comedy series "Curb Your Enthusiasm." The Manhattan-based comedian has also appeared on "Politically Incorrect," "The Tonight Show," "Law and Order," and "The King Of Queens."
For additional information check out www.nycomedyfestival.com
