By Staff

Ongoing

Tim Minchin
A performer of crushing talent, Minchin has racked up major comedy awards on three of seven continents. His hair is big and famousy, his humor is intelligent and accessible and he can put the rock in Sergei Rachmaninoff in a way the cultural zeitgeist hasn’t seen since Ben Folds. (Nate Sloan)
Through April 12. New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-239-6200; Mon.-Thurs. 8; Fri. & Sat. 9, $35-$50.

Thursday, March 27

Cage Match
The WWE is pretty hilarious on its own, but the UCB Theatre’s wrestling federation, the UCBW, pays such good attention to the details of the genre, it feels less like a satirical mockery and more of a hyper hilarious homage to the dramatic sport. Just like real wrestling, there are shocking heel turns, referees who are distracted by shiny objects, and promos that get you pumped. The announcers, Ben Rodgers (The Captain) and Eric Scott (TT Billingsworth) are so easily excited by all the action, it’s impossible not to get caught up in their hysteria too. Leave the Papa Roach Special Edition iPod at home, the UCBW is the only distraction you need. (Nate Sloan)
UCB Theatre, 307 W. 26th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-366-9176; Thursdays 11pm, $5.

Hot Comix
Joe DeRosa, Mike DeStefano, Julian McCullough, Big Jay Oakerson and other naughty comics give the best of their dirty standup.
Comix, 353 W. 14th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-524-2500; 8, $15/$20.

Friday, March 28

Ben Karlin
The creative force behind The Daily Show with John Stewart continues to stump for Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me, an anthology of stories from jilted guys that he edited. Expect plenty of other funny guys to show up to help him sell some copies.
Barnes & Noble Tribeca, 97 Warren St. (at Greenwich St.), 212-587-5389; 7, free.

Naked Boys Improvising & The Girly Girl Burleskapades
The PIT has put its pole in the hole and staked its claim as the premier comedy venue for clothing optional performers and crowds. The boys are really a striptease with improv games but by the end the balls are flying. Both shows are exactly what they sound like, but the silly burlesque comedy may take more getting used to.
Naked Boys Improvising & The Girly Girl Burleskapades March 21 at The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 W. 29th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.) 212-563-7488; 11, $10.

Death by Roo Roo: Your Fucked-Up Family
You might recognize Brett Gelman—he’s the man whose face is plastered all over subways and televisions as part of an ad campaign for Take Five lotto tickets. You can watch him and his improv group in action every week at UCB Theatre, where they riff on dysfunctional families from a single audience interview.
UCB Theatre, 307 W. 26th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-366-9176; 11, $8.
 
Saturday, March 29

Mother: The Soundtrack
Your mother told you to turn down that music. Mother tells you to hand over your iPod and CDs for some improv inspired by your taste in music. You better do what Mother says.
UCB Theatre, 307 W. 26th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-366-9176; 9, $8.

Sunday, March 30

ASSSSCAT 3000
The most popular show in town continues on with Amy Poehler and pals combining their comedic talents for a kooky evening of improv.
UCB Theatre, 307 W. 26th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-366-9176; 7:30 ($8), 9:30 (free).
 
Monday, March 31

Gravid Water
When refreshing their favorite sites like Theatermania.com and Broadwayworld.com, theater people may happen upon blurbs for Gravid Water, a show featuring professional stage actors spouting memorized lines from real plays while a superstar improviser makes up the other half of the dialogue. It sounds like a train wreck on paper, but the results don’t seem to stray too far from the script. The secret? To put it in context, if someone in real life says, “How are you?” You probably wouldn’t respond with, “Chicken Pot Pies are delicious!” There are only a couple ways for an improviser to logically take his or her side of the conversation, so the scenes unfold naturally with a touch of quirky charm. (Nate Sloan)
UCB Theatre, 307 W. 26th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-366-9176; 8, $5.

It Is It
Fun times hosted by Adam Lowitt of The Daily Show. And great burgers. Yum.
Pianos, 158 Ludlow St. (at Stanton St.), 212-505-3733; 8, $8.

Tuesday, April 1

The Comic Book Club
One of the more successful themed shows in town because it found its niche and took off running both offline and on. Comic book superfans, Pete LePage, Alex Zalben and Justin Tyler moderate a discussion on the week in funnybooks and host a panel of the top talents in the Marvel and DC Universes. I quit comics when the New Warriors ended its run in the ’90s—it just seemed futile to go on, you know? The few times I’ve checked out the CBC, I’ve felt welcome amidst both the sizable crowds and the icons who drop by like Joe Quesada and Brian Michael Bendis.
The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 W. 29th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.) 212-563-7488; Tuesdays at 8, $5.

3-Minute Drill
Think you’ve got what it takes? Are you up for three minutes of laughter—or awkward silence? Charlie Kasov hosts open mic night at the PIT.
The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 W. 29th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.) 212-563-7488; 11, free.
 
Wednesday, April 2

Starved for Attention
23/6 presents Eugene Mirman, Laurie Kilmartin, Jon Glaser and Lee Camp, along with the best original video from 236.com. A night to remember, if you want to remember your funny nights.
UCB Theatre, 307 W. 26th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-366-9176; 8, $5.

The Liar Show
Like that game where you have to make up things and get people to believe you. Here three people are telling the truth, one is lying, and you have to figure out which is the big fat fibber. Featuring stories from Mark Katz, Ophira Eisenberg, Sara Barron and Peter Lubell.
Comix, 353 W. 14th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-524-2500; 8, $15/$20.