Comedy fest makes city a funny place
Kathy Griffin will perform at the New York Comedy Festival, Nov. 9-13, 2011. Credit: Handout
The eighth annual New York Comedy Festival started Wednesday, and some of the biggest names in the business are performing on stages throughout the city this weekend. In addition to the headliners below, check out Monday Morning Podcast's Bill Burr (Friday night at Carnegie Hall); "Match It!" an audience-participation comedy game show (Saturday at Creek & Cave); and JB Smoove from "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (Sunday at the Music Hall of Williamsburg).
TRACY MORGAN
WHAT The totally brilliant SNL vet and star of "30 Rock" will not be on his best behavior tonight. And that's a good thing.
WHEN | WHERE Friday night at 8, Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway at 74th Street
INFO $52.35-$81.05, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
LOUIS CK
WHAT Riding high on the success of his FX sitcom, "Louie," Louis C.K. performs multiple shows, including one on Staten Island. He's worth the trip.
WHEN | WHERE Friday night at 8 at the St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St., Staten Island. Saturday at 10:30 p.m. at the Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway at 74th Street
INFO $39.25-$60.85, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
BILL MAHER
WHAT Expect plenty of jabs at Herman Cain, Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann et al. at this evening with the outspoken host of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher."
WHEN | WHERE Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway at 74th Street
INFO $63.15-$103.05800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
NORM MACDONALD
WHAT Another SNL alum -- you know him as "Bob Dole," and as a Weekend Update anchor -- comes to Town Hall.
WHEN | WHERE Saturday at 8 p.m., Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St.
INFO $44.95-$57.70, 212-840-2824, ticketmaster.com
KATHY GRIFFIN
WHAT How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice your withering celebrity jokes. It worked for Kathy Griffin, star of Bravo's "My Life on the D List."
WHEN | WHERE Saturday at 8 p.m., Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue
INFO $44-$90, 212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org
HANNIBAL BURESS PRESENTS
WHAT This regular weekly showcase of new comedy talent is a great place to see up-and-comers. Plus it's free.
WHEN | WHERE Sunday at 9 p.m., The Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg
INFO Free, 347-529-6696, bk.knittingfactory.com
The New York Comedy Festival
WHEN | WHERE Friday-Sunday at various locations in New York
INFO nycomedyfestival.com
