• ”The Importance of Being Earnest” was written in 1895 and it still holds up. However, like any great play, it needs to be performed and directed at a very high level. I’m happy to say that the Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center exceeded all expectations and and knocked the play out of the park. The physical gags, the banter, the absurdism, the pathos, it all worked. Directed by Catherine LaMoreaux and starring Anna E. Paone as Cecily among others, the show was on point this week. In fact, it was so good I saw it twice. If you get a chance, definitely go see their next play. I’ll let you know when it’s on the horizon.
• Had my weekly with Tristan Smith this past week at V-Spot (we actually saw the cast of "Pen15" at Vesselka afterwards too). I honestly think it was our best show yet. The crowd was comprised of 15 or so strangers we barked in plus our steady regulars Willie and Tonja Fabritz who was so hospitable that she coordinated with her husband to get the soaked Rich Kiamco a dry shirt. It was unbelievably nice. The energy was high the whole show and on top of that, a pilot was being shot during our show! Not sure if I can disclose who the directors Thomas Wood and Adriane Scott-kemp filmed but they were very professional and I look forward to seeing where this project leads them.
• Filmed two great shows this week. The first one was last Friday at Broadway Comedy Club. My pal Dan Pyatetsky spread his wings and did a really strong half hour. It was really an impressive feat; the crowd was a little low energy but he got them going and they were into it the whole time. Also, he wove in some callbacks that were truly impressive. Really nice to see longer sets where you can use those tools more effectively. A callback 15 minutes after the initial seed was planted is especially effective as the surprise is that much more potent. Also, filmed at the really fun Tuesday show at Coney Island Baby. I was there to film Mara Wiles and she spat some serious fire. Really loved watching her hone her act in front of a great crowd. Looking forward to seeing her on late night someday soon. She’s really great and going places.
* ^^Special shout out to two very funny things that happened at the Coney Island Baby show. Luke Mones and Tommy McNamara had a great riff off the top about the Kentucky Derby and Competitive Eating both involving horse meat that blew me away that they came up with it on the spot. Bravo, good sirs. Also, Liza Treyger’s set was interrupted by a woman bringing in a massive harp that felt like something so purely slapstick it came out of a Buster Keaton film. Never seen such a purely funny distraction at a show.
• I’m still very rusty from taking so much time off stand up and haven’t gone up much since I got back but I’ve had fun experiences at a few mics still. First off, V-Spot is doing a cool new thing with a mic that lasts exactly one hour. It’s hosted by Eli DiSabato and everyone has to stay for the duration of the mic. Nice thing is we know exactly how long it will last. Kind of a cool format where you know exactly what you’re going to get out of it. I liked it. Also, it should be noted that people need to come out and support Jay Welch’s Karma mic on Sundays at 6 PM! It’s one of the best in the City when it’s cooking and it’s so much better when good people (if you’re reading this, I think you’re good and should go) attend. Please go! Also, go to Seth Pompi’s Monday Library Mic at 7 PM! It’s such a good room (well, it’s a room full of children’s books) and a really quintessentially New York comedy experience. Do it if you haven’t been in awhile. Way more fun when you go! Also, if you didn’t catch Seth’s documentary about Alan Shain and Gary Marinoff called “Hysterical” before, you have another opportunity to do so this Saturday, May 11. It’s the best movie about open mics that I know of and is a great snapshot of what doing comedy in the City was like just a few years ago (like 2014-15). If you’re bored on Saturday night, see this instead of “Avengers.” I promise you Alan Shain is funnier than Mark Ruffalo.
• He’s one of the best on Facebook but it’s weird to recommend Facebook friendship so I recommend you follow Micah Walsh on Twitter at @Micah_Walsh. The dude writes pure jokes. Worth your time.
• Got a little bit of comedy stuff myself this week. I’m performing in the Laughing Devil Comedy Festival Wednesday and Thursday night as well as running my weekly on Thursday night at 9. Other than that, my calendar is free. I’m down to get some food if you’re down
