Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh and Matt Besser at the Del Close Marathon (Photo: Francine Daveta)
This weekend marks the arrival of the 15th annual Del Close Marathon, the multi-day improv extravaganza hosted annually by the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, with over 420 shows on 7 stages. Expect to see UCB mainstays like Amy Poehler, Nick Kroll, Veep’s Matt Walsh, The Office’s Ellie Kemper and Zach Woods, plus a whole lot of other SNL alums, Apatow-types and familiar faces. While the main theater in Chelsea always has epic lines, there’s still plenty of fun to be had over at UCB East or on some of the smaller stages.
If you don’t feel like springing for a $30 weekend pass, tickets for some of the bigger name shows can be bought individually from the UCB website. Or, for something completely different, check out our roundup of this week’s best laugh-ins, stand-ups and make-em-ups.
Tuesday
Tonight at the Slipper Room, Seth Herzog hosts his long-running alternative standup night. In the tiny Lower East Side burlesque joint, a rotating roster of comedy insiders and industry big-shots drop by to test out new material, banter with one another, and generally just get weird. Tonight’s lineup promises the same delightful quirkiness as always, featuring guest hosts Brooke Van Poppelen, Nick Stevens and Craig Baldo, along with two “very special guests.”
9 p.m. at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard St. Tickets available online. $7.
Wednesday
For those seeking cheap booze and cheap chuckles this Wednesday, North Brooklyn is the place to be. Every Wednesday, head down to Williamsburg’s Cameo for the long-running Big Terrific show hosted by Max Silvestri, which features mix of consistently good local acts and bigger bold names. Or if you’re looking for something a little more avant-garde, head to Barely Regal’s comedy night at Greenpoint’s Palace Cafe, where sassy duo Lauren Vino and Natalie Shure – who’s away in Europe for this month’s installment – lead a night featuring NYCs finest up-and-comic comics and ample supplies of cheap beer.
8 p.m. at Cameo Gallery, 93 N 6th St. Free.
9 p.m. at Palace Cafe, 206 Nassau Ave. Free.
Thursday
The East Village’s beloved Eastville Comedy Club hosts its All-Star Comedy Line-up at 9 p.m. This week’s installment includes Rachel Feinstein of “Last Comic Standing” and late-night talk show mainstay Ted Alexandro, although there’s always the chance for big name drop-ins (we were recently treated to Jim Gaffigan). If you can’t make it on Thursday, catch a similar lineup on Friday and Saturday.
9 p.m. at Eastville Comedy Club, 85 East 4th Street. Tickets available $10.
Sunday
If you’re all improv’d out after the Del Close Marathon, pop by the Knitting Factory for their popular weekly Sunday night standup show hosted by comedy it-boy Hannibal Buress. The lineup is a surprise each week, but past drop-ins have included Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Louis C.K. and more.
9 p.m. at The Knitting Factory. 361 Metropolitan Ave. First come first serve. Free.
Monday
Every Monday, catch Broken Comedy’s weekly standup showcase at Matchless in Greenpoint. The evening is hosted by Nimesh Patel, Mike Denny and Michael Che, and features a stacked lineup of the city’s favorite rising comedians, as well as bigger names including Aziz Ansari and Judah Friedlander. Oh, and it’s free. What’s not to love?
8.30 pm at Matchless. 557 Manhattan Ave. Free.