Comedy entertainment in USA
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A
Carrot Top
Even if his TV commercials annoyed you to death, this wild and curly orange-haired comedian’s shtick could leave your side split and your gut busted. The fast-paced show runs the audience ragged with physical props, some dark and twisted stand-up humor and merciless skewering of pop stars, Hollywood celebs and politicians.
reviewed
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B
Teatro Zinzanni
Inside a 19th-century Spiegeltent (an opulent Belgian traveling-circus tent), top circus talent flies overhead, a celeb-diva croons, and clowns pull wacky stunts as you dig into a surprisingly good five-course dinner. This ain’t no B-grade dinner theater: a ‘clown-wrangler’ seeks out world-class talent in Europe and Asia, and the acts, menu and performers are refreshed quarterly. Former stars have included Joan Baez and Broadway’s Liliane Montevecchi. Dress for dinner, and arrive early to see the over-the-top harmonium and boutique selling tiaras and ostrich-feather opera gloves (ideal if you’re underdressed). Be prepared for audience participation – especially if you’re …
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Malamute Saloon
Rowdy saloons that are throwbacks from the mining days are this area's specialty. The Malamute Saloon, 7mi west of Fairbanks in Ester, offers honky-tonk music, skits, vaudeville and a ritual reading of Robert Service poetry. The bar is a classic, and the show is perhaps one of the best locally produced acts in Alaska. They'll have you laughing in the sawdust by the end of the evening.
There's free bus transportation from Fairbanks that stops at major hotels, including the Bridgewater. Or you can make it an evening by booking a room or a tent site at Ester Gold Camp.
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C
Wilbur Theatre
The colonial Wilbur Theatre dates to 1914, and over the years has hosted many prominent theatrical productions. These days it is Boston’s premier comedy club. Once known as the Comedy Connection (and located in Quincy Market), this long-running operation moved to the historic theater in 2008. Over the years, the Comedy Connection hosted the likes of Chris Rock, Rosie O’Donnell and other nationally known cut-ups. Now the company continues to tickle funny bones in what is the country’s first comedy theater.
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D
Improv Asylum
This North End theater is a little dingy but somehow it enhances the dark and sometimes dirty humor spewing from the mouths of this offbeat crew. ‘Improv’ means improvisation, so the group makes things up as they go along. No topic is too touchy, no politics too correct. Usually audience members throw out ideas and the cast is off and running. The show redefines itself with every fast-paced performance. On Thursday nights at 7pm, a pasta buffet is included in the price of a ticket.
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E
iO (ImprovOlympic)
The Olympic Committee forced this comic veteran to change the name to its initials in 2005, a suitably laughable development in a long career of chuckles. iO launched the careers of Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert, along with a host of other well-known comics. Shows hinge entirely on audience suggestions, and each turn can run 40 minutes or longer. If you’re thoroughly motivated by what you see, iO offers a range of courses to suit every budget. Shows on Wednesday and Sunday are usually just $5.
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F
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
Pros of comedy sketches and outrageous improvisations reign at this popular 74-seat venue, which gets drop-ins from casting directors. Getting in is cheap ($5 to $8) – so is the beer (from $2 a can) – and you may recognize pranksters on stage from late-night comedy shows ; it’s free Wednesdays after 11pm, when newbies take the reins. Check the website for popular classes on sketch and improv, now spilling over to an annex location on W 30th St.
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G
Dangerfield's
New York's oldest and (some claim) funniest comedy club, Dangerfield's is something of an institution. Crowds still pack in for the no-food-or-drink-minimum shows (a rarity in New York, where most clubs make you consume as you laugh), and it features only top-tier talent – no amateur nights allowed. Gone are the days when comedic stars would regularly show up for a cameo, but on the odd occasion an old friend like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock or Jay Leno might pop in.
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H
Comedy Works
Denver's best comedy club occupies a basement space in Larimer Sq (enter down a set of stairs at the corner of Larimer and 15th) and routinely brings in up-and-coming yucksters from around the country. It can be a bit cramped if you're claustrophobic, but the seats are comfortable and the quality of acts is top-shelf.
Performances also take place at the slightly bigger Comedy Works South location across town.
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I
Zanies
The city’s main stand-up comedy venue regularly books big-name acts familiar to anyone with a TV, and also frequently invites comics you’re going to hear about on TV. The shows last less than two hours and usually include the efforts of a couple of up-and-comers before the main act. The ceiling is low and the seating is cramped, which only adds to the good cheer.
reviewed
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J
Rita Rudner
Finally, here’s a show you can take your mother to. The classy comedienne, whose trademark is telling anecdotes and delivering one-liners with soft-spoken naiveté, provides a PG-rated kick in the pants. Her shrewd, but borderline cliché observations about life can be a hoot. The intimate theater lends itself well to humorous Q&A sessions afterward.
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K
Capitol Steps Political Satire
This troupe claims to be the only group in America that tries to be funnier than Congress. It’s actually composed of current and former congressional staffers, so they know their stuff, although sometimes it can be a little overtly corny. The best of political comedy, this DC tradition pokes satirical bipartisan fun at both sides of the spectrum.
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L
Upright Citizens Brigade
Where do up-and-coming LA comedians go for chuckles? This popular club, founded in NYC by SNL alum Amy Poehler and others, is a top choice. The club sits on a short but bustling block noted for sociable restaurants frequented by screenwriters, Hollywood assistants and young TV stars. It’s technically in Hollywood but the vibe is more Los Feliz.
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M
Comedy Studio
The 3rd floor of the Hong Kong noodle house contains a low-budget comedy house with a reputation for hosting cutting-edge acts. This is where talented future stars (eg Brian Kiley, now a writer for Conan O’Brien) refine their racy material. Each night has a different theme, eg on Tuesday you can usually see a weird magician show.
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N
Comedy & Magic Club
Carlin, Foxworthy, Seinfeld – his puffy shirt is on display – have all paced the boards at Hermosa’s Comedy & Magic Club. For big names, get here before 6pm to nab a good table and be ready to share your job or hometown with the ever-inquisitive opening acts. Always hot is Jay Leno, who tests out jokes most Sunday nights.
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O
Comedy Stop
This is Atlantic City's most popular comedy club and the perfect place to laugh off those gambling losses. After the show's over, you can check out the Tropicana Hotel & Casino, close to where the club is housed - it's one of the biggest places in town, with 1020 hotel rooms and its own indoor theme park, Tivoli Pier.
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Purple Onion
Such legendary comics as Woody Allen and Phyllis Diller clawed their way up from underground at this grotto nightclub. Recently, comics took back the stage from lackluster lounge acts, and the club’s been rejuvenated – Robin Williams has even stopped by to test material. Bookings are sporadic; call ahead.
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Q
iO West
Toss out the phrase ‘giant mushroom’ and watch the cast spin a 45-minute skit. Long form is the specialty at this cozy corner theater – the LA branch of Olympic Improv Chicago – where you might catch familiar faces from The Office or SNL honing their comedy chops. Cocktails served.
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R
Dick’s Beantown Comedy Vault
In the basement of Remington’s (a restaurant), local comedian Dick Doherty and a collection of regular helpers work the room into painful howls with surgical precision. Sunday nights are open mic, and the pain you feel on such occasions might feel very different than on other days.
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S
Bats Improv
Bay Area Theatersports explores all things improv, from audience-inspired themes to wacked-out musicals at completely improvised weekend shows. Or take center stage yourself at an improv-comedy workshop (held on weekday nights and weekend afternoons). Think fast: classes fill quickly.
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T
Nathan Burton
At this afternoon magic show stuffed full of comedy, acts range from the magician being levitated by showgirls during a mock pajama party to the ‘microwave of death.’ It’s nonstop classic magic, with amusing one-liners delivered after almost every trick.
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U
Riviera Comedy Club
If sick and twisted comedy is your style, where no holds are barred, then sit yo’ ass down here, mother ‘effer. The Riv’s 350-seat neon cabaret showcases shock-style comedians, ventriloquists and hypnotists – the whole X-rated, low-brow tradition.
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V
Vinnie Favorito
Rude, crude and shockingly funny (his motto: ‘Completely F’n Crazy!’), this stand-up comedian pulls no punches in Bugsy’s Cabaret. No topic is off-limits, from rednecks to celebrities in rehab. Sit too close to the stage and you might be the butt of Favorito’s next joke.
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W
Downtown Comedy Club
Saturday Night Live alumnus Garrett Morris is the man behind the curtain of this weekend club at the divey Charlie O's cocktail lounge in the Alexandria Hotel. Tickets come with a unique money-back guarantee: you don't laugh, you don't pay. Isn't that funny?
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Comedy Underground
As its good deed, this gritty club hosts a weekly nonprofit comedy show, currently on Tuesdays – go and have a laugh for a good cause. For details and a complete schedule, visit nonprofitcomedy.com. Buy tickets through TicketWeb (www.ticketweb.com).
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