Stand-up comedy shows bring the funny to Long Island
Comedian Kevin James will be performing stand-up at the Paramount in Huntington on May 12. Credit: Tom Caltabiano
Anthony Rodia, of Franklin Square, took a big risk. He left his secure job as a finance manager for a luxury car dealership a few years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian while married with one son and a baby on the way.
“My family was scared, but I was miserable working 65 hours a week,” says Rodia, 43. “I knew I wanted to do comedy for the rest of my life.”
Today, he’s headlining theaters and has a new comedy special, “Totally Relatable,” dropping on Prime Video May 1, which was shot at The Paramount in Huntington last fall where he will appear again for two shows May 18.
Stand-up shows are popping up like spring flowers all over Long Island this season. Here are eight to catch throughout the month of May.
LISA MARIE
Comedian Lisa Marie headlines the Smithtown Performing Arts Center on May 5.
After working as a stenographer for 20 years, Lisa Marie, of Staten Island, retired to take care of her husband who was diagnosed with cancer. As a distraction, her sister made an Instagram page to joke around with face filters and it caught on.
“People started following me then I got an offer to do stand-up,” says Marie, 41, who has 234K followers on Instagram. “This career just fell into my lap.”
However, Marie admits she’s not a traditional comedian.
“I don’t tell jokes, I just talk about life and people took a liking to it,” she says. “I have no idea what I’m going to say until I get on stage. I work off the top of my head. Whatever I’m thinking I just say.”
WHEN | WHERE 3 p.m. May 5, Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown
COST Sold out (check for last-minute availability)
MORE INFO 516-731-3358, govs.com
DANIEL SLOSS
Comedian Daniel Sloss brings his “Can’t" show to The Paramount in Huntington on May 5. Credit: Daniel Sloss SOCIO
Scotland’s own Daniel Sloss is making his Long Island debut at The Paramount with his show, “Can’t.”
“There’s a big conversation in comedy about what you can and can’t say,” says Sloss, 33. “From what I’ve seen, getting canceled seems more like a marketing tool these days.”
On his Netflix specials, “Dark” and “Jigsaw,” as well as his HBO live concert, “X,” Sloss likes to find out where the line is in the room and then sees how far he can push people.
“You either love me or hate me. Typically, there’s no middle ground,” says Sloss. “If you are easily offended, don’t come and see me. If you don’t like swearing, don’t bother because it’s all I do.”
WHEN | WHERE 7 p.m. May 5, 370 New York Ave.
COST $45.25-$181.70, 16 and older
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
KEVIN JAMES
Long Island’s own Kevin James proves he’s more than just Doug Heffernan from “The King of Queens” or Paul Blart from “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” on stage. James, whose current special “Irregardless” is streaming on Prime Video, presents his new stand-up show, “Owls Don’t Walk” at The Paramount in Huntington.
WHEN/WHERE 7:30 p.m. May 12, 370 New York Ave.
COST $88-$354
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
CHRIS ROACH
Comedian Chris Roach of Ronkonkoma headlines McGuire’s in Bohemia on May 17.
Twenty years ago, Chris Roach, of Ronkonkoma, took a stand-up class to overcome his debilitating fear of public speaking and wound up falling in love with the art form.
“I wanted to be around other comedians,” says Roach, 55. “I finally found my people.”
With his self-deprecating demeanor, Roach will discuss married life, going on family vacations, and struggling with weight loss and anxiety during his upcoming headlining gig at McGuire’s Comedy Club in Bohemia.
“I’m more of a conversational comic,” he says. “I don’t know how these high-energy comedians do it. I’d need a nap in between shows.”
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. May 17, 1627 Smithtown Ave.
COST $25 (2 item minimum per person), 16 and older
MORE INFO 631-467-5413, bohemia.govs.com
WELLIE JACKSON
Comedian Wellie Jackson plays two dates at The Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore.
The road to becoming a stand-up comic for Wellie Jackson of Staten Island, began when his father gave him a Richard Pryor album, “ … Is It Something I Said?”
“It changed my life,” says Jackson, 38, who has been doing stand-up for 12 years.
When he headlines The Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore, Jackson’s material will reflect issues from his life.
“You’d be surprised how many people are going through the same things,” says Jackson, who performs more than 200 shows per year all over the country. “I talk about current events, but I’m not trying to be shocking or controversial.”
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. May 17, 7 p.m. May 18, 2797 Merrick Rd.
COST $25 (two item minimum per person), 16 and over
MORE INFO 516-781-5233, brokerage.govs.com
ANTHONY RODIA
Comedian Anthony Rodia of Franklin Square will play two shows at The Paramount in Huntington on May 18.
Rodia is the same guy on stage as he is off. The only difference is on stage he can talk without getting interrupted.
“I’ve always looked at situations to see how I could make someone laugh from it,” he says. “My goal is always to lighten the mood.”
When he performs his “Totally Relatable” show at The Paramount, Rodia will prove he has a knack for connecting with the crowd.
“I touch on so many things you deal with whether it’s marriage, raising kids, or dealing with people in public,” says Rodia. “When you come to a comedy show, you should leave all your stress and anxiety outside. Come inside and just laugh.”
WHEN | WHERE 7 and 9:30 p.m. May 18, 370 New York Ave.
COST $66.25-$110.25
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
TOM KELLY
Although he’s worked as a warmup comic for “Good Morning America” and “The View,” comedian Tom Kelly, of Massapequa, can best be known for his clips on Instagram making fun of Long Island.
“I’m regionally viral in south Nassau,” says Kelly, who is in his 40s. “I’m famous south of the Southern State, east of Route 135, west of Route 110 and down to the Great South Bay.”
Inspired by David Letterman, Johnny Carson and Chris Rock, Kelly is set to perform at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center where he will dish “clean comedy with an edge of naughtiness.”
“I’m known for my ability to work with the crowd and being in the moment,” says Kelly, who runs his own podcast, “The Tom Kelly Show.” “There will be material on my views about suburban mom Facebook groups, Italian grandparents from the ‘70s and ‘80s, dating in the 21st century and Long Island weddings.”
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m., May 25, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown
COST $40
MORE INFO 631-724-3700, smithtownpac.org
COLIN QUINN
A veteran of “Saturday Night Live” and Comedy Central’s “Tough Crowd,” Colin Quinn delivers his spin on politics and the irreverence of life with his Brooklyn husky rasp at the Westhampton Performing Arts Center.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. May 26, 76 Main St., Westhampton Beach
COST $64-$93
MORE INFO 631-288-1500, whbpac.org
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
