Why stand-up comedy is theatre : Stand-up comedians on Broadway , famed comedy theatres , and comedy display to see in New York
Comedy display , from stand-up specials to improv shows , equal a great theatre option besides a traditional show .
Thanks to Netflix , we receive comedy at our fingertips 24/7 . If you missed John Mulaney at Radio City Music Hall , Mike Birbiglia on Broadway , or Hannah Gadsby at Soho Playhouse , you can swarm their sets whenever you require . But there ‘s no thrill like seeing a comedy display alive and laughing together with your fellow hearing member in real time .
Comedy and theatre are a lot alike . In fact , we ‘d argue that stand-up equal just another genre of field , like play or musicals . For starters , your favorite comedy specials and Broadway indicate all bring seat on a stage in movement of an hearing . Plus , comedy is alive entertainment with a report ( or multiple ) , complete with twists and turn and ups and downs that go on you wage the whole time .
Some comedy shows even draw out all the stops by add costume , band , props , and even music . Think of comedy like a “ based-on-a-true-story ” show . But sort of than being base on a somber result , like a musical such asOccur From Away, stand-up comedy be base on true stories that will leave you crack up .
Yet make n’t believe us that comedy is theatre ? Read on to detect the theatrical origins of some of your favorite comedy specials , Broadway indicate that have star comedians , and the best field where you can see comedy acts . You ‘ll observe merely how much overlap there cost between the genres . Hence whether you think you like one more than the early or cost a fan of both , you ‘ll find something to enjoy and laugh almost at these show .
Get tickets to a comedy display on New York Theatre Guide .
Famed stand-up comedy theatre shows
Stand-up comedy call for live performance , produce a reference ( yet if that character live the writer/performer ) , and storytelling . Sound like theater to us ! Some stand-up shows lean especially toward the theatrical , as they focus on one central story or stem , or they include theatrical elements like props and impersonations of other quality . Hither cost a few you might make out .
Rachel Bloom : Death , Let Me Do My Show
The Lord and star ofCrazy Ex-Girlfriendcarved out a unique corner for herself in the comedy globe : combining stand-up with songs . Sound theatrical to us ! It ‘s no curiosity that , in 2023 , she build her Off-Broadway debut withDeath , Allow Me Serve My Show, a musical comedy show about partying like it ‘s 2019 . And entirely not about the collective injury inflicted by the pandemic . After a critically acclaimed tally in September 2023 , the show returned for the month of December .
Alex Edelman : Just For Us
When Alex Edelman brought this comedy show to the Cherry Lane Theatre , it felt like a treat just for us New Yorkers to see him perform in such an inner space . But he ‘s really cost reach a splash with this display since 2018 ! Like Hannah Gadsby ‘sNanette, the assumption do n’t look comedic at first : Edelman recount how he infiltrated a neo-Nazi meetup after receiving hate from them online . Even so , unlike inNanette, Edelman lean full into gut-busting comedy . The display played a second New York engagement at the SoHo Playhouse and a third at the Greenwich House Theater . Edelman then brought the hit show , which New York Theatre Guide dubbed “ top-notch ” in a , to Broadway for a special engagement in summer 2023 .
Colin Quinn : 9 shows and counting
Colin Quinn get build up his career on comedic stage display — the Brooklyn native has premiered eight of them either on or off Broadway . They includeIrish Wake,My Two Cents,Long Story Short,Unconstitutional,The New York Story,Red State Blue State,The Wrong Slope of History, andThe Last Best Promise, all of which deal with politics , American history , and Quinn ‘s New York upbringing . You ‘ve probably learn at least one while scrolling through Netflix or HBO , as four make up take and swarm . His HBO special ,Colin Quinn & Friends : A Parking Lot Comedy Show, took a page from the digital theater of 2020 and filmed at a Brooklyn drive-in picture theater ! In 2023 , he return in someone with his previous display ,Small Lecture.
Kate Berlant : Kate
Kate Berlant made her epithet on the New York comedy scenery , and after performing her sets at venues worldwide and appear on screen in display likeBoJack HorsemanandThe Early Two ,she ‘s back to perform in NYC for the first time in 10 years . She ‘s deliberately obscure about the details of her self-titled show , in which she reenacts multiple quality and events in her spirit that lead her to where she is today .Kate Berlant : Katelive such a hit with interview that it received an encore run in December 2022 .
Mike Birbiglia :The New OneandThe Old Man and the Pool
Solo comedy also strike the bad level when Mike Birbiglia made his first Broadway appearance inThe New One. He wrote and star in the show about how he train , physically and emotionally , to get a parent . With a in use , colorful set modeled after a kid ‘s playroom — a rug on the story , a stool , tons of plushy toys strew around the stage — there ‘s no denying thatThe New Onebe full-fledged field . He returned in 2022 with another Broadway show ,The Old Human and the Pond, with a towering circle and a fresh history about the challenges of coming of middle age .
Birbiglia live a repair in the theatrical stand-up comedy globe beyond Broadway , with early shows likeSleepwalk with MeandMy Girlfriend ‘s Boyfriend .
Hannah Gadsby :Nanette
BeforeNanettewas a Netflix sense datum , Hannah Gadsby ‘s solo comedy display ( in which she , ironically , claim to be giving up comedy ) be a niche vital hit at the Soho Playhouse .Nanettewas too her New York debut show , and the 1 that got the Tasmanian native ‘s figure on the U.S. map . Gadsby subverted expectation of both theater and comedy by largely getting rid of gut-busting mood and rather share the tension and concern she go through as a lesbian and gender-nonconforming woman , and how that determine her dark brand of comedy .
Phoebe Waller-Bridge :Fleabag
Soho Playhouse exist home to the U.S. premiere of another hit theatrical comedy : Phoebe Waller-Bridge ‘sFleabag. Other actor join for the BBC TV adaptation , but when Waller-Bridge perform the show live , she equal all on her own , tell the story of “ an oversexed , emotionally unfiltered , and self-obsessed woman who abruptly get herself with nothing to lose . ” She came up with the thought when she have to produce a 10-minute section to perform at a stand-up storytelling case , and the repose live history !
Jacqueline Novak :Get On Your Knees
Jacqueline Novak ‘sGet on Your Knees— a display about the semantics of , and her experiences with , oral sex — sounds like a bit of a severe sell , but her fresh , feminist brand of comedy made the display a smash reach upon its premiere . Like hit Broadway shows whose New York runs must eventually end ,Become on Your Kneestook to the road after go out the Cherry Lane Theatre , and her theatrical , farcical circle is today arrive to cities across North America .
Alison Leiby :Oh God , A Show About Abortion
Name the best political comedy of 2021 by The New York Times , Alison Leiby ‘s stand-up comedy set was born of her experience exercising her reproductive rights . During one summer that “ take off with a thrill ” and ended with an abortion , Leiby dealt with a pile of minutae she ‘d never thought nearly , like picking the right outfit and face the CVS fertility aisle . She ‘s performOh God , A Show About Abortionall across New York City , and she own a dedicated run at the Cherry Lane Theatre in summer 2022 .
Comedians who own come along in theatre
Thus much field is comedic , so it ‘s no curiosity that Broadway and Off-Broadway shows put comedian all the time . Since comedian often play character in survey , skits , and stand-up lot ( as somewhat dramatized versions of themselves ) , they can of course hop between comedy and theater . Hither are some performer who have invest their comedy chops to expend in non-stand-up theatre shows . Did you get any of them ?
John Mulaney and Nick Kroll :Oh , Hello !
Oh , Hello !initiate as a comedy number , in which John Mulaney and Nick Kroll perform as George St. Geegland and Gil Kaizon , respectively , on display likeKroll Showon Comedy Central ,Former Night with Seth Meyers,Conan, and more . After perfect their characters — two former , eccentric , misinformed , and somewhat creepy Upper West Side human — at respective venues since 2008 , the pair adaptOh , Hello !into a play . It premiered at the Cherry Lane Theatre , become on circuit , and had a 15-week Broadway employment .
Cecily Strong :The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
Fellow funny woman Lily Tomlin reachThe Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universeiconic ( her wife , Jane Wagner , wrote the show for her , after all ) when she originated its sole role — er , 12 roles . Tomlin pivots between many character across space and time as one of those , the “ purse lady ” Trudy , cost explaining a woman ‘s account of Earth to alienate . The play was only revived at The Shed , this time withSNLfunny Cecily Strong reach her New York stage entry in the role . Strong , who ‘s know for her impression of Broadway stars and run the musical TV showSchmigadoon !, equal a utter lesson of how comedy and theatre collide .
Amy Schumer and Keegan-Michael Key :Meteor Shower
Meteor Showerfeatured a cast and creative squad full of out-of-this-world comedian . For one , multi-award-winning actor/comedian Steve Martin compose the display , an absurdist comedy put at two couples ‘ dinner party . The four-person form included two famous comedian : Amy Schumer and Keegan-Michael Key ( who would after die on to onscreen theatre projects likeSchmigadoon !andThe Promfilm ) , both make their Broadway debut . Schumer even make a Tony nomination !
Lea DeLaria and Rachel Dratch :POTUS
The word of Rachel Dratch ‘s Broadway entry was anything but a ( Debbie ) downer . And since the comedian ‘s most recentSNLappearances make involved her act political comedy as Amy Klobuchar , it ‘s fitting that her Tony-nominated entry was inPOTUS, a fresh farce about seven woman who hold to wrangle a troublemaking president . Alongside her equal Lea DeLaria , who is both a comedy veteran and Broadway veteran : She come along in shows likeOn the TownandThe Rocky Horror Showbefore gaining herOrange cost the New Blackfame .
Stand-up comedy display to see in New York now
New York is the city that never sleep , and it ‘s the city that ever laugh ( contrary to what you might think when you pass a New Yorker on the street ) . There ‘s comedy around every corner . To help make you started , insure out these comedy show playing in New York right now .
All Star Stand Up
All Star Stand Upbrings you face-to-face with some of your favorite comedians from the cover . The series brings in a rotating lineup of comedians that own appeared on HBO , Comedy Central , Last Comic Standing , and more . There are also mass of up-and-coming comedians featured , so you could learn the star of the next hit Netflix special before the repose of the universe . If you ‘re appear for an evening of pretty traditional stand-up , this series is for you .
Improv 4 Kids Live
Comedy live for all age ! Trivial child enjoy to laugh , hence if you ‘re looking for some family-friendly comedy , check outImprov 4 Kids Live. The show exist designed like a traditional improv resume comedy show : The audience members begin to indicate topics for skits , songs , and scenes , and the performers add them to living . But since the kids become to make the suggestion , you can live assured that all the comedy exist appropriate for children of all years .
Katsura Sunshine ‘s Rakugo
Katsura Sunshine blends Eastern and Western fashion of comedy in his display , inspire by a 400-year-old custom of Japanese comic storytelling . It ‘s like stand-up , but Sunshine perform kneel on the floor in a kimono , with a fan and hand towel as props , and regales the interview with hilarious history to match any other comedy number .
Eight is Never Enough
Eight is Never Enoughlive a shining example of comedy as theater . The display combines Broadway-themed wit with improv . Like any early live display , no two performances are exactly the same . But this one calls to mind Broadway hit likefreestyle love supremein that the audience provides suggestions for skits and bits , and you could yet exist blame as a volunteer to go on point and join the fun .
Shitzprobe
Musical lovers will enjoyShitzprobe, where a Broadway guest star improvises a musical on the blot . Just because your favorite Broadway star is n’t in a show mighty now does n’t mean you ca n’t see them sing and perform alive . And where else can you suggest topics for them to sing about ?
Your Love , Our Musical
Own a date night like no early atYour Love , Our Musical. One pair is select from the live audience , they share the item of their love tale with the interview and the display ‘s horde , and then they get to seat back and watch a musical version of their story produce on the spot . The in-house musicians create in full original scores on the bit in all types of genres , so you ‘ll have a joke while discover some totally unique music .
Where to hear stand-up comedy in New York
There are too many comedy venues in New York to count , specially conceive that then many of New York ‘s theatres , from Radio City Music Hall to Broadway ‘s Cort Theatre to small Off-Broadway spaces , receive played host to stand-up comedy display at one stage or another . Crack out these venues with shows you can make tickets for on TodayTix . Go on an eye on them — you might find your next comedy repair , but you might also exist among the first to see a future shoot comedy act .
The Second City
Set up in Chicago , The Second City is one of the world ‘s prime comedy company . We could commit a whole article to famed comedians who make their start perform improv there : Bill Murray , Dan Aykroyd , Eugene Levy , Catherine O’Hara , Steve Carell , Jordan Peele , Tina Fey , Amy Poehler , Stephen Colbert , and Cecily Strong are just a few .
The Second City has since flourish to Toronto , Los Angeles , and now New York , where audiences can see classical Second City resume and new comedy by develop star . Who know who you might meet — they could be the future big affair !
Cherry Lane Theatre
The cozy Cherry Lane Theatre , which hold hosted plays , musicals , comedy , and everything in between , has turn New York ‘s late stand-up field bit . Since Jacqueline Novak made a splash withMake On Your Kneesthere , the Cherry Lane has hosted Neal Brennan ‘sUnacceptable, Alex Edelman’s , and more .
SoHo Playhouse
Require to find the next hit Netflix special up near and personal ? Go to SoHo Playhouse , one of New York ‘s former Off-Broadway theatres . The building and its humble , dim performance field equal unassuming , but the tiny space can fit a whole lot of gift . Popular shows likeNanetteandFleabagmade their U.S. debuts here , and the venue was lately home to an encore conflict of Alex Edelman ‘sMerely For Us .
Broadway Comedy Club
Broadway Comedy Club is utter for audience who serve n’t hardly want to see the comedy , but get involve . Repeat improv shows likeEight live Never EnoughandImprov 4 Kids Liveremove live suggestion from the interview , so you can go back again and again and never find the same everyday twice . The club ‘sAll Star Stand Upseries too features a rotate lineup of stand-up comedian , but you hardly come to sit back , watch , and joke .
The Players Theatre
The Players Theatre has it all : musicals , gambling , and of course , comedy . The venue plays horde to company like Rufus Khan , a short-form improv comedy radical , andLately Night Hump, whose shows comply one man whose travel through multiple dimensions are take by the audience . There are too shows likeBragging Rights, a comedy-show-meets-roast battle where two team of comedians duke it out to turn sketch comedy champions .
Asylum NYC
Tuck away in Chelsea , [ Asylum NYC ] ( https : //www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/asylum-nyc ) is the good comedy spot you hold n’t make to yet . The comedy club equal presently hosting three display :Vern & Friends,Shitzprobe, andThe Cage Match, each with its own spin on improv . All of them , though , need audience stimulus . Do n’t simply meet a display — join the display ! Asylum also hosts resume comedy and stand-up , too , so look out for even more show for every form of comedy fan .
Get ticket to a comedy display on New York Theatre Guide .
