John Oliver and Seth Meyers, two Emmy Award-winning comedians, will be combining their individual stand-up tours on August 17th at The Beacon Theatre in New York City.
As two prominent television personalities, Meyers and Oliver have been increasingly impacted by the Writers Guild of America Strike of 2023 which has put Last Week Tonight With John Oliver and Late Night With Seth Meyers on an indefinite stand still. The hosts are continuing to move forward in spite of the controversy and have both announced stand-up tours to last the summer.
Oliver is a long-time participant and pro in the stand-up world and continues to perform sold-out venues across the country. He is best known for being the host and producer of his tonight show along with select appearances in television and film including Disney’s The Lion King, Community, Big Mouth, Bob’s Burgers, and many more. For his work as a writer and comedian, Oliver has gone on to receive twenty-three Primetime Emmys, five Writer’s Guild Awards, two Critics’ Choice Television Awards, four Television Critics Association Awards, and two Peabodys.
In a similar light, Meyers is no stranger to the stage or the screen as he began his television career with “Saturday Night Live” in 2001. He has been given the title of everything from host to executive producer and has been nominated for an Emmy Award twenty-six times for his work on the screen. In addition, Meyers was named one of the 2014 TIME 100, Time magazine’s 100 most influential people.
Tickets for their combined show in August have already become available as local presales began on June 6th and general sales will start on June 9th. Both can be accessed with Ticketmaster.
What’s the deal with Jerry Seinfeld’s 7 p.m. stand-up comedy show on April 8? Well, this evening will be Seinfeld’s 100th show at The Beacon Theatre in Manhattan. The comic already holds the record for most comedy shows at the theater, thanks to the residency he began in 2016.
Though he is most known for the success of his show “Seinfeld,” Jerry Seinfeld recently released his third book, “Is This Anything?” His new book is a compilation of every bit he wrote and performed since 1975, interspersed by scenes, memories and analysis of each era of his comedy career. Seinfeld’s comedy draws from common mundane activities and finds the absurdity in each, making it widely relatable and light-hearted.
The Beacon feels like home at this point. This is the place for comedy in NYC, and to do 100 shows here as part of this residency is an honor and a testament to the incredible fans who have been selling this place out since we started in 2016.
Jerry Seinfeld
As is clearly seen in “Seinfeld,” Jerry Seinfeld is a native New Yorker and the city has often acted as his muse — prompting jokes and entire plot lines inspired by events he witnessed participating in daily life in NYC. Seinfeld has become an institution in New York, making this historical achievement at an even older and more established New York institution, The Beacon Theatre, fitting.
Since the final episode of Seinfeld aired in 1998, Seinfeld himself has continued to have a successful and prolific career in comedy. In addition to his many solo comedy specials and stand-up shows on both national and international stages, Seinfeld started his web series “Comedians in Cars getting Coffee” in 2012. The show went on to host such high profile guests as President Barack Obama, and it was nominated for numerous Emmy awards and was picked up by Netflix in 2017.
Limited tickets remain for Seinfeld’s 100th show and tickets start at $115. Fans of Seinfeld or Seinfeld can buy them here.
Actor and comedian Adam Sandler is continuing his critically acclaimed comedy tour this spring, with shows in seven US cities, including Buffalo at the KeyBank Center. Kicking off on April 13, Sandler will make his Buffalo appearance on April 16, as the tour will be a short-lived one, ending on April 21.
Adam Sandler at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Credit: Instagram
Born in Brooklyn, Adam Sandler is famous for his comedic work, including 1999’s Big Daddy and the 2010 film Grown Ups, just to name a few. The actor’s theatrical releases have grossed more than $3 billion worldwide, and his Netflix original movies have been some of the most successful releases on the streaming service. His latest film, Hustle, was released last June, becoming a favorite among critics and audiences. Sandler began transitioning to Netflix as early as 2016, when his 2018 comedy special 100% Fresh, his first in 20 years, was released on the service.
For his work in stand-up and films, Sandler has won a number of awards, most recently a Kid’s Choice Award for King of Comedy at this year’s ceremony, and a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at the 2023 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards.
Tickets for Adam Sandler’s live spring comedy show are now available. For more information about the Buffalo KeyBank Center, visit their website.
ADAM SANDLER LIVE TOUR DATES:
Thu Apr 13 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center
Fri Apr 14 — Philadelphia, PA — Wells Fargo Center
Athletes have a long history of being great hosts on Saturday Night Live, and two-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce added his name to the list when he hosted this week’s episode, with musical guest Kelsea Ballerini.
Following a Fox News Morning Show spoof as the cold open, Kelce presented himself on stage, fitting in naturally from the start. With his mom, dad and brother Jason (a Center for the Philadelphia Eagles) sitting in the front row, he poked fun at himself and his reality show Catching Kelce, as well as the awkwardness in beating your brother in the Super Bowl.
After Travis Kelce showed his range in “American Girl Diner” and “Mama’s Funeral,” Kelce played it straight (literally) to Bowen Yang in “Straight Male Friend,” an instant classic of commercial parodies, this one doubling as a medication ad.
For Kelsea Ballerini’s first performance, the pop singer performed “Blindsided,” from Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, released on Valentines Day 2023. With a six-piece band backing Ballerini with three off to each side of her, the singer, clad in a skin tight black outfit with a silhouetted dancer mirroring her performance behind a changing blue and white screen.
During the song, the recent divorcee added in a jab at ex Morgan Evans, adding in a new line that referenced Evans’ new breakup single “Over for You.” As “Blindsided” ended, Ballerini sang, “Now you’re singin’ it loud on the radio like you’re the only heart that breaks / You would’ve searched the whole world over? Yeah, sure, OK.” Overall, an assertive and impressive performance by Ballerini.
For Ballerini’s second song of the night, she performed in a white floor-length gown with only a pianist on stage for a rendition of “Penthouse,” also off Rolling Up the Welcome Mat. Ballerini sang, “Kissed someone new last night / But now I don’t know where you’re sleeping, baby / We got along real nice, until I wanted out, now I know you hate me.”
Actor and comedian Jane Curtin, one of the original cast members on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” plans to make a visit to the University at Albany on Saturday, April 29 with two distinct events in store.
At 4pm, Curtin, a two-time Emmy Award winner for Kate & Allie, will participate in an on-stage interview with WAMC’s Joe Donahue as part of The Creative Life: A Conversation Series. This event is free and open to the public.
Then, later that day at 7:30pm, Jane Curtin will be a part of the cast of Selected Shorts, the live version of the weekly public radio show that airs locally on WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Tickets purchased in advance are $10-$15. Both appearances will take place at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the uptown University at Albany campus at 1400 Washington Avenue.
Starting in its first season in 1975, Jane Curtin was one of the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” on “Saturday Night Live” and stayed with the show through the 1979-80 season. She later starred in two long-running television sitcoms, “Kate & Allie” from 1984 through 1989, during which she won back-to-back Emmy Awards in 1984 and 1985, and “3rd Rock from the Sun” from 1996 through 2001. Curtin also starred in all four seasons of “Unforgettable” as well as the television movie series “The Librarian” and its spin-off television show, “The Librarians.” Guest appearances have included“The Good Wife,” “48 Hours ’til Monday,” “The Good Fight,” “Broad City,” “United We Fall” and, most recently, “The Conners.”
Jane Curtin has appeared on Broadway in “Noises Off,” “Candida,” and “Our Town.” Her film credits include “Coneheads,” “Antz,”” I Love You, Man,” “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” “The Heat,” “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” “Ode to Joy,” “Godmothered,” and “Queen Bees.” Upcoming projects include the film “Jules,” opposite Sir Ben Kingsley.
The Creative Life series is a major arts initiative of the University Art Museum, New York State Writers Institute and UAlbany Performing Arts Center in conjunction with WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Sponsored by The University at Albany Foundation, the series features live onstage interviews conducted by WAMC’s “Roundtable” host Joe Donahue with artists of national and international prominence in conversation about their creative inspiration, their craft, their careers and the demands of sustaining an artistic practice over time. A question-and-answer period closes each program.
Previous Creative Life guests include fiction writer Joyce Carol Oates, tap dancer-choreographer Savion Glover, jazz violinist Regina Carter, painter David Salle, Young Adult author Lois Lowry, choreographer Garth Fagan, Broadway star Patti LuPone, Warhol film star Bibbe Hansen, sculptor Jean Shin, author/essayist Esmeralda Santiago, New Yorker journalist/author Susan Orlean, comedian/actor Paul Reiser, high-wire artist Philippe Petit, rapper Rakim, novelist Jhumpa Lahiri, chef/food writer Ruth Reichl, designer Debbie Millman, writer Roxane Gay, and art critic Lucy Sante.
Over thirty-five years ago, Selected Shorts was born on the stage at Symphony Space in New York City and quickly became one of the best-known shows of its kind spawning a popular public radio show, podcast, audio collections, and national tours. The series was conceived with a simple premise: take great stories by well-known and emerging writers and have them brought to life by terrific actors of stage and screen. The show is now broadcast on more than 150 stations to about 300,000 listeners around the country. The Selected Shorts podcast consistently ranks as one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes, with more than 100,000 downloads each week. Selected Shortson Tour takes the show live to theaters, libraries, college campuses and conferences.
This is the third Selected Shorts performance at UAlbany. Previous guests who have performed on stage at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center have included Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle”), Anthony Rapp (original cast of “Rent”), Alysia Reiner (“Orange is the New Black”), Patricia Kalember (“The Tick”), Bhavesh Patel (“The Good Wife”) and Rita Wolf (Tony Kushner’s “Homebody/Kabul”). The two actors joining Curtin for the April 29 performance are still to be announced.
Tickets for the live performance of Selected Shorts are available through the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s web site at www.albany.edu/pac. The show is presented by the New York State Writers Institute and the UAlbany Performing Arts Center with support from the University at Albany Foundation and University Auxiliary Services.
The historic Cohoes Music Hall has announced the addition of four new events to their events calendar. Comedians, magicians and musicians will add to Cohoes Music Hall’s already diverse schedule, with something for audiences of all ages.
Cohoes Music Hall originally opened in 1874 where it served as the regions premier music and entertainment hall. Acts like Buffalo Bill Cody, John Philip Sousa, P.T. Barnum, and General Tom Thumb passed through the hall until its closure in 1905. After a million dollar restoration, the Hall reopened in 1975, 100 years after its original opening. Since the reopening, it has been the home to various theater groups, comedy shows, and live concerts and it remains the 4th oldest operational music hall in the United States.
New Events
The Great Van Alden ft. Eric Mead – Friday March 3rd
A one-of-a-kind experience takes the stage, promising its audience a peek behind the curtain at the magic of filmmaking (literally). When world-class magician Eric Mead offered to play the titular role of the famous illusionist in their new film “Anomaly”, local filmmakers Spencer Sherry (Stephen King’s The Monkey) and Rahn Jenkins immediately thought of The Cohoes Music Hall as the perfect theatre location to shoot in. The filmmakers then saw an opportunity to forgo the traditional crowdfunding structure in favor of a unique and singular event that helps to fund the film, while also inviting the community to portray much-needed audience extras.
Ticket holders will be directed from stage as the Emmy-winning members of the production team will film Eric Mead in character engaging with the audience in character. Other entertainers will weave seamlessly between the takes, performing mentalism, illusions, and comedy. All the while, local artist Lexi Hannah will be creating a live painting of the event, which will be auctioned off upon its completion. Overall, the experience has been designed as a non-stop variety show of different art forms, all in support of a truly magical opportunity for the local arts scene. All proceeds will go towards completing the film and paying the local cast and crew for their work on the production.
Melvin Seals & JGB – Saturday April 8th
Melvin Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist and producer. Melvin is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited, Hammond B-3 organ, and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band. Melvin spun his B-3 magic with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and in doing so helped pioneer and define what has now become “Jam Band Music”. From blues to funk to rock to jazz, Melvin Seals serves up a tasty mix with a little R&B and gospel thrown in to spice things up.
Jimmy Dore – Saturday June 10th
The Jimmy Dore Show is a comedy lifeline for people on the left and right (but definitely NOT the center) who are sick of bought politicians and gaslighting corporate journalists manufacturing consent for wars. A certified YouTube sensation, The Jimmy Dore Show boasts over 530 million views and over 1 million subscribers.
Don’t Iron While The Strike Is Hot – Saturday June 17th
The musical Don’t Iron While the Strike is Hot! tells the fascinating story of how a group of courageous and mostly Irish young women won the strike by their determination and the support of the local Iron Molders Union. Through storytelling enhanced with traditional Irish music and dance, the show demonstrates how they set the example for thousands of women workers who would form unions in the following years across America in order to improve their wages and working conditions.
For a full schedule of events, and to purchase tickets, visit Cohoes Music Hall’s website.
Following a successful triple roast in January, Funk n Waffles will welcome Brooklynite Dave Lester for a show on Thursday, February 9th.
Dave Lester
Lester was born and raised in Brooklyn and this comic did not stay isolated to Kings County for long. Traveling all over the country and being the talk of most festivals he works, Lester is a Comedians Comic. From hard hitting humor to the light and goofy, Dave makes us laugh at just about everything. His monthly shows in Brooklyn are as legendary as his TV appearances. This is a headliner you won’t want to miss.
Comedy returns to Funk n Waffles in March with both a roast and a show.
The Park Theater Foundation has announced their February schedule of events for the 2022/23 season. Featuring acts from a wide variety of genres, there is sure to be something for audiences of all ages. All shows are scheduled to be performed at The Park Theater in Glens Falls.
The Park Theater opened in 1911 as the first movie theater in the town of Glens Falls. In 1937 the theater was converted into a printing plant for the Glens Falls Post, before returning again to its original purpose as a center for performing arts in 1984. After a renovation headed by Miller Mechanical in 2014, The Park Theater officially reopened in 2018.
The Park Theater Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Glens Falls community by providing a venue for quality and affordable entertainment and educational opportunities in the performing arts.
The Park Presents Series
An Evening with The Gibson Brothers (The Darkest Hour Tour) February 2nd
Back by popular demand! The Park Theater Foundation presents ‘The Park Presents’ featuring award-winning bluegrass duo, The Gibson Brothers. They will be performing material from their latest album, Darkest Hour. Highly acclaimed musicians, performers and songwriters, The Gibson Brothers are the real deal. This is a show you won’t want to miss! Tickets: Early Bird – $30.00 | Day Of Show – $35.00. Doors: 6:30pm | Showtime: 7:00pm.
Ariel Posen (The Solo Tour) February 17th
Back for a return solo performance! The Park Theater Foundation presents ‘The Park Presents’ featuring virtuoso guitarist and performer, Ariel Posen. Posen’s music occupies the space between genres. It’s a rootsy sound that nods to his influences — heartland rock & roll, electrified Americana, blue-eyed soul, R&B, Beatles-inspired pop — while still moving forward, pushing Posen into territory that’s uniquely his own. Tickets: Early Bird – $20.00 | Day Of Show – $25.00. Doors: 7:00pm | Showtime: 7:30pm.
Soggy Po’ Boys February 18th
New Orleans jazz fusion group, Soggy Po’ Boys, will perform live on February 18th. Back for a return performance, this high-energy collective thrives on the interplay and group dynamics that bring their music to life. An absolute joy to watch on stage – don’t miss this show! Tickets: Early Bird – $20.00 | Day Of Show – $25.00. Doors: 6:30pm | Showtime: 7:00pm.
Additional Events At The Park Theater
Rewind At The Park featuring The Corvettes Doo-Wop Revue-February 3rd.
The Corvettes Doo-Wop Revue is dedicated to preserving and performing the greatest music ever made – the music of the 1950’s Doo-Wop era. Enjoy a “rollicking ride through the good old days of rock ‘n roll!” Tickets: Early Bird – $20.00 | Day Of Show – $25.00. Doors: 6:45pm | Showtime: 7:30pm.
Rewind At The Park’ featuring The Bell Bottom Blues – February 4th
Considered the Eric Clapton Experience. Through its evolution, The Bell Bottom Blues band has been carefully constructed to create the essence of the Clapton sound, from his guitar arrangements to his distinctive vocal sound. Tickets: Early Bird – $25.00 | Day Of Show – $30.00. Doors: 7:30pm | Showtime: 8:00pm.
Live & Local: Songwriter’s Showcase’ – February 9th
An intimate evening featuring some of the Capital Region’s favorite songwriters. Hosted by performer, producer and engineer, Josh Morris, these ‘artist-in-the-round’ performances will give audiences the opportunity to hear local musicians’ songs and the stories behind them. The first Songwriter’s Showcase features Josh Morris, Girl Blue, Ryan Leddick and Jimi W. Tickets: Early Bird – $10.00 | Day Of Show – $15.00. Doors: 6:30pm | Showtime: 7:00pm.
Third Thursday Jazz’ with The Matt Niedbalski Trio -February 16th
The Matt Niedbalski Trio Featuring pianist, Oscar Williams II. Experience some of the best jazz music in the Capital Region! Tickets: $10.00. Doors: 7:00pm | Showtime: 7:30pm.
Comedy After Dark – February 24th
Featuring highly-acclaimed New York City based stand-up comedian, Carmen Lagala. The kind of comic you’d have a wild late-night conversation with, Carmen’s darkly frolicsome humor leaves no topic off-limits. She has performed on such shows as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central and more. Enjoy an evening of laughter and fun with family and friends! Tickets: Early Bird – $22.00 | Day Of Show – $25.00. Doors: 7:30pm | Showtime: 8:00pm.
For the full performance listings or to purchase tickets, visit www.parktheatergf.com.
With comedy finding a regular home in Central New York at Funk n Waffles, comedian and host Brian Enck is bringing a twist on roasts to Syracuse on January 15.
The Triple Roast Comedy Roast Battle is the first of its kind, with competing comedians not just roasting each other, but they’ll have three rounds to show the audience who the best of the night truly is.
The first round is a Roast battle where anything goes. Second round will be a celebrity Roast where we see what the comics have to say about notable individuals we all know and want to see burned. And finally, a volunteer audience member roast will welcome only the bravest of the night to come on stage, sit in the hot seat and take the abuse from of Syracuse’s best comedians.
Enck is a nationally touring comedian who’s been in dozens of comedy fests, hosted award shows, podcasts and anything else you can think of. Now living in Syracuse, his new favorite show is the monthly at Funk & Waffles.
Opening the night is Pat Tato, a traveling solo act. Pat is one of the most talented local musicians in New York State right now, with a fun folk pop indie variety that makes him a real fun act to see live.
Comedians joining the roast include:
Ellen Doyle, an L.A. comedian with both TV and radio credits, an unapologetic comedian ready to show off at the Roast.
Josh Wilbert is a rising Central New York comic, with the energy of the jokester at the plant, with smart cuts and a laid back demeanor.
Josh “Heathan” Lafaver, the winner of the Clash of Comics at Syracuse Funny Bone, Heathan has earned his name and tittle. The most Roast ready of out the lineup, there will be zero apologies for the jabs and jokes he delivers Sunday night.
Anthony Walker is the newest in the lineup, as this touring comic makes jokes and observations so far out of the box, it’s in a circle. He’s got chops and delivery that makes this rookie something to not sleep on.
Tickets are $15, or $30 for the show, with dinner included. Get tickets and more info here.
Isaac Mizrahi will return to Café Carlyle in February with his all-new show, “The Marvelous Mr. Mizrahi,” for a two-week residency, running from Valentines Day through the 25th.
Accompanied by his band of jazz musicians – led by Ben Waltzer – Mizrahi will perform a range of tunes from Arthur Freed to Grace Jones. The New York Times notes that Isaac Mizrahi “qualifies as a founding father of a genre that fuses performance art, music and stand-up comedy.”
The Marvelous Mr. Mizrahi
Isaac Mizrahi has worked extensively in the entertainment industry as a performer, host, writer, designer and producer for over 30 years. Along with his annual residency at Café Carlyle, Isaac has performed at various venues across the country such as Joe’s Pub, The Regency Ballroom, several City Winery locations nationwide and comes to the Carlyle fresh from his run as Amos Hart in the Broadway production of CHICAGO.
Mizrahi is also the subject and co-creator of Unzipped, a documentary following the making of his Fall 1994 collection which received an award at the Sundance Film Festival. He hosted his own television talk show, “The Isaac Mizrahi Show” for seven years, has written three books, and has made countless appearances in movies and on television. He served as a judge on “Project Runway: All-Stars” for the series’ entire seven-season run. Previous residencies of Mizrahi’s at Café Carlyle were sellouts, receiving widespread critical acclaim.
Performances will take place at Café Carlyle from February 14-25 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:45pm. Weekday pricing begins at $100 per person for General Seating, $150 per person for Premium Seating, and $85 per person for Bar Seating. Weekend pricing begins at $135 per person for General Seating, $185 per person for Premium Seating, and $100 per person for Bar Seating. Reservations can be made online via Tock. Café Carlyle is located in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (35 East 76th Street, at Madison Avenue).
