The Cramer Guide to the NY Comedy Festival
Who doesn’t love New York City in November? And thanks to the upcoming (and this year — extended!) New York Comedy Festival, everyone technically has a reason to visit during the Big Apple’s best season.
When you scan the 100+ shows listed on their website, you’ll see offerings reflective of a comedy scene so vast and diverse and changing that it’s ridiculously difficult to know where to start.
We’re here to help. Below is a guide to the shows we won’t be missing, featuring some of the emerging talent we’re most excited to see.
An Evening With Jordan Jensen
Winner of the 2021 “New York’s Funniest Standup” competition (and the first/only female title holder), Jensen absolutely deserves her flowers — she’s a regular at the Cellar, a podcaster with a growing following, and a reliably funny voice.
Business Casual: Comedy Hoedown
The boys of Business Casual (Cory, Hunter and Jeremy) are officially New Yorkers, and they’re bringing their silliness to The Slipper Room for an early evening of cowboy themed comedy.
Cherry at the Public Hotel
The original hosts of weekly disco ball-clad comedy show, Cherry — including SNL’s newly minted Chloe Troast, Moss Perricone, and Auguste White— return for a night of stupid comedy in swanky digs.
Comics to Watch (Unrepped)
The festival’s official showcase of unrepped comics would seem to be an ideal destination for scouting representatives to find the best emerging talent in the city… that said, our fingers are crossed!
Demon Time (Improvised Sketch at BCC)
In recent years, the Brooklyn Comedy Collective has proven itself to be New York’s liveliest (or at least, most resilient) improv comedy theater. This late show features some of the venue’s top talent.
Exploration Live!
Unassuming comedy geniuses Charlie Bardey and Natalie Rotter-Laitman host this consistently sold-out monthly at the Bell House.
Mr. Chonkers
Accurately described as “the greatest and most perfect show in the entire world,” this alt-y treat of an hour from LA-based comedian John Norris returns to New York after winning hearts at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Neighborhood Darlings
For anyone looking to get the authentic downtown comedy experience, we recommend a trip to Club Cumming. This “gala” is hosted by Michael Abber, a classy young comedian with a distinct (and, well, loud) voice.
New York’s Funniest Standup
Funniest, you say? I guess we’ll see you at the Hard Rock Hotel on a Saturday afternoon. (Frankly, we’re rooting for Paris Sashay or Maddie Weiner, the only two female comics amongst 11 on the lineup.)
Sabrina Wu
One of Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch and and stand out of Point Grey/Lionsgate’s summer comedy, “Joy Ride,” Sabrina Wu is one of Brooklyn’s fasting rising comedy stars. Of all the headlining spots in the fest, we think theirs is the one to check out.
Sophie Sucks Face
If you’ve been reading this list up until now and thought, “where’s the musical comedy?” First of all, calm down. Second, we think you’ll like the very funny Sophie Zucker’s one-woman musical at the Brooklyn Comedy Collective.
Stamptown
We can’t stop (slash, won’t stop) touting Zack Zucker’s outrageous, sweaty, chaotic variety show. Whatever city this whirlwind of clowns descends upon (and New York is no exception): You should see Stamptown.
Sureni & Lovers
Readers of the newsletter know that we are big fans of Sri-Lankan born, New York-based comic Sureni Weerasekera, and we’re stoked to see that she’ll be headlining Littlefield on the first night of the festival.
That’s a Gay Ass Live Show
Eric Williams, host of That’s A Gay Ass Podcast, brings an incredible lineup (including Bowen Yang) to Chelsea Music Hall for a night of exactly what it sounds like.
What I Did For Love
Members of erstwhile UCB improv team What I Did For Love have gone on to work in television and/or make a name for themselves in standup (e.g. Natasha Vaynblat’s album came out this month), but we can’t wait to see them return to their silly, silly roots.