The 2019 New York Comedy Festival will run from Monday, November 4th to Sunday, November 10th. They’ll be a ton of great comics to enjoy at locations all across the city. Personally, I laughed when I saw Kevin Smith and Jay Mews as part of the lineup. Some major stars will also be performing on the UWS.
Created in 2004, The New York Comedy Festival is a 7 day laugh fest hosting 100 plus shows and 200 plus comedians, all across the 5 boroughs. The festival is produced in part by Comedy Central, the Huffington Post, and Caroline’s on Broadway. Portions of the proceeds go to different charities.
The People’s Choice Awards also took notice and created an award called “The Opening Act”; this competition selects a new stand up comedian to open for one of the headliners.
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These acts will take place at the Beacon Theatre (2124 Broadway, between 74th and 75th Streets):
Tom Segura
11/7 at 7:30 pm
Tom Segura is best known for his three Netflix specials, Disgraceful (2018), Mostly Stories (2016), and Completely Normal (2014). Segura was in the film Instant family opposite Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne.
Demetri Martin: Wandering Mind Tour
11/8 at 7:30 pm
Demetri Martin began doing standup comedy in New York City, where he worked as a staff writer for Late Night with Conan O’Brien. He then became a regular performer on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”.
Comedy Bang! Bang! Live! Starring Scott Aukerman with Guests
11/8 at 10:15 pm
Scott Aukerman got his start as a writer and performer on the HBO series “Mr. Show with Bob and David”. Since 2009, has hosted the podcast “Comedy Bang! Bang!,”which has been downloaded over fifty million times and was turned into a television show on the IFC network.
Randy Rainbow Live
11/9 at 7:30 pm
Randy Rainbow is best known for his popular series of musical parodies and political spoofs. Currently he is touring the U.S talking about politics and current events. Also, Randy Rainbow recently moved to the Upper West Side!
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Some other New York Comedy Festival highlights:
Jenny Slate
11/5 at 8pm
Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street)
Jenny Slate is known for her roles on “Parks and Recreation,” as well as being the co-creator of “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” an incredibly cute children’s book series. Slate was a member of the Saturday Nigh Live cast from 2009-10. She has been in the feature films Obvious Child, Zootopia and The Secret Life of Pets.
Stephen Colbert
11/7 at 8pm
Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Avenue)
Stephen Colbert is best known for being the host of his political comedy show on Comedy Central “The Colbert Report,” and also as the host of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on CBS. Colbert has won 9 Primetime Emmy Awards, 2 Grammy Awards, and 2 Peabody Awards. He was also one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2006 and 2012.
Bill Maher
11/9 at 8pm
Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden (4 Pennsylvania Plaza @ 32nd and Eighth)
Bill Maher is well known for his show on Comedy Central and ABC, “Politically Incorrect” and then for the past 16 years, “Real Time” on HBO. He has 41 Emmy nominations and won his first in 2014 for the show he produces called “Vice” on HBO.
Check out the full schedule and get tickets here
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