As weekly shows wrap up for a summer hiatus and emerging performers take on new gigs in L.A., the season still manages to make up for all the slow down and the brain drain. From comedy festivals to new classes, there’s plenty of comedy to get excited about. Feel free to cut this out and keep it safe.
Just For Laughs Montreal
July 10-20
www.hahaha.com
Right after HBO stopped producing worthwhile comedy festivals, Just For Laughs seized on the opportunity to position itself as the only major league player left (in a league owned by themselves) by announcing plans to launch a broad festival in Chicago. Montreal’s fest, now in its 26th year, continues to be the crown jewel of the Just For Laughs brand. From all accounts, it’s a fun time, too. Established comics, new artists and the industry that feeds on them all come together.
Neil Hamburger
July 31
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. B’way & Church St.), 212-219-3132
www.americasfunnyman.com
Neil’s annual stop in New York is a rite of summer that everyone should take part in. Considered (by me) to be one of the funniest stand ups ever, his jokes give new life to celebrities you’ve long stopped caring about. I like to imagine I would have no problem selling hand-rolled veggie burritos in the parking lot after Neil’s shows to pay for all the Ticketmaster surcharges awaiting me in whatever town he performs in next. Maybe this will be the year.
Fringe NYC
August 8-24
Various locations
www.fringenyc.org
The NYC Fringe Festival can be really hit or miss, but that’s sort of the point. Even when shows have a premise that seem impossible to blunder, such as Williamsburg: The Musical, things often get crushed by self-importance and an inability to edit that’s pervasive in the theater. Every year though, a bunch of folks with good comedy backgrounds stage something funny here or use this as a chance to showcase their dramatic chops. The cheap admission and air-conditioning is also a draw.
Del Close Marathon 10
August 8-10
UCBT, 307 W. 26th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.)
www.delclosemarathon.com
The three days of total nonstop improv—and the onslaught of special shows leading up to it—make the Del Close Marathon the most vital and inspiring event of the year in NYC. After Del Close died in 1999, the UCB started the marathon to pay homage to their mentor and keep alive his teachings for future generations. The festival features over 150 performances spread across three theaters. The air at the main stage is thick with electricity; you stand there watching a ceaseless parade of the brightest and talented comedic performers and can’t help but think that there’s nothing else more important happening anywhere.
Take a Class
UCBT, The PIT, Magnet Theater
Considering that the big three comedy theaters here are all founded by direct disciples of Del Close and Charna Halpern, New York offers the finest comedy education anywhere. There are plenty of improv classes open at any given time; I recommend scouting out your potential instructor in a show before deciding who you want to learn from. Make sure to keep an eye out for the electives that pop up. “Writing For The Colbert Report” is being taught this summer at The PIT by the show’s head writer, Tom Purcell; there’s no better opportunity to craft a packet than that. The Magnet Theater’s got the right idea, too, with a weeklong improv camp.
Just For Laughs Montreal
July 10-20
www.hahaha.com
Right after HBO stopped producing worthwhile comedy festivals, Just For Laughs seized on the opportunity to position itself as the only major league player left (in a league owned by themselves) by announcing plans to launch a broad festival in Chicago. Montreal’s fest, now in its 26th year, continues to be the crown jewel of the Just For Laughs brand. From all accounts, it’s a fun time, too. Established comics, new artists and the industry that feeds on them all come together.
Neil Hamburger
July 31
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. B’way & Church St.), 212-219-3132
www.americasfunnyman.com
Neil’s annual stop in New York is a rite of summer that everyone should take part in. Considered (by me) to be one of the funniest stand ups ever, his jokes give new life to celebrities you’ve long stopped caring about. I like to imagine I would have no problem selling hand-rolled veggie burritos in the parking lot after Neil’s shows to pay for all the Ticketmaster surcharges awaiting me in whatever town he performs in next. Maybe this will be the year.
Fringe NYC
August 8-24
Various locations
www.fringenyc.org
The NYC Fringe Festival can be really hit or miss, but that’s sort of the point. Even when shows have a premise that seem impossible to blunder, such as Williamsburg: The Musical, things often get crushed by self-importance and an inability to edit that’s pervasive in the theater. Every year though, a bunch of folks with good comedy backgrounds stage something funny here or use this as a chance to showcase their dramatic chops. The cheap admission and air-conditioning is also a draw.
Del Close Marathon 10
August 8-10
UCBT, 307 W. 26th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.)
www.delclosemarathon.com
The three days of total nonstop improv—and the onslaught of special shows leading up to it—make the Del Close Marathon the most vital and inspiring event of the year in NYC. After Del Close died in 1999, the UCB started the marathon to pay homage to their mentor and keep alive his teachings for future generations. The festival features over 150 performances spread across three theaters. The air at the main stage is thick with electricity; you stand there watching a ceaseless parade of the brightest and talented comedic performers and can’t help but think that there’s nothing else more important happening anywhere.
Take a Class
UCBT, The PIT, Magnet Theater
Considering that the big three comedy theaters here are all founded by direct disciples of Del Close and Charna Halpern, New York offers the finest comedy education anywhere. There are plenty of improv classes open at any given time; I recommend scouting out your potential instructor in a show before deciding who you want to learn from. Make sure to keep an eye out for the electives that pop up. “Writing For The Colbert Report” is being taught this summer at The PIT by the show’s head writer, Tom Purcell; there’s no better opportunity to craft a packet than that. The Magnet Theater’s got the right idea, too, with a weeklong improv camp.
