Editor’s Note: The leaves on the trees may start changing soon, but was hasn’t changed as we cruise full speed through the final third of the year is the top-tier selection of comedy shows to check out around Boston. With homegrown talent, national headliners, and open mics galore highlighting the calendar, the the plethora of comedy talent in and around the city continues to pour out as richly as that $8 Pumpkin Spice Latte you yearn for every morning. Live entertainment continues to make its way back into our social lives — mask up! stay safe! — and so we always want to make sure you know about cool stuff going on in the world of comedy. Enter Mic’d Up, our ongoing weekly series that details the best live comedy shows to consider as you head out and about. Below find our rundown for this week, through Sunday (September 18).
Joe DeRosa at The Crystal Ballroom
There’s a glowing joy found deeply embedded in Joe DeRosa’s gloriously sharp and sometimes dark topic selection, and that’s just one reason to check him out. Making his way to Somerville for a night one of the area’s coolest spots for comedy, there’s no telling what will make its way into the ether via DeRosa, but what we can only assume is that it will have just as much power and commitment behind it as his past work.
Monday, September 12 at The Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square in Somerville, MA :: 7:30 p.m. :: Tickets are $25-$35
Jay Whittaker at Nick’s Comedy Stop
It’s stand-up comedy, but trust us when we say that Jay Whittaker isn’t messing around. As one of the hard-grinding comics coming out of the local scene, the California transplant continues to deliver his upbeat and quick-hitting comedy at a rate and quality that offers nothing but an upfront and obvious explanation as to why he’s moving at the velocity he’s currently ascending at. Not to mention, Saturday night’s show will have free pizza, so there’s no reason why you can’t go.
Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17 at Nick’s Comedy Stop, 100 Warrenton St. in Boston, MA :: 8 p.m. both nights :: Tickets are $20
David Koechner at Laugh Boston
In case you were wondering what it would be like to see Todd Packer do stand-up, here’s your chance. Koechner’s comedic genius has graced the silver screen for years in films like Anchorman and Talladega Nights, not to mention his historically cringe-inducing role on The Office, but to see him bring it to the masses in a live setting brings it to a completely new level. And while you’re at it, stick around to give it your best shot with some Office-centered trivia. Just don’t guess “What is SEE-attle?”
Thursday, September 15 to Saturday, September 17 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: Thursday at 8 p.m.; Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m. (trivia), shows at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. :: Tickets are $25 to $30
Steven Wright at Academy Of Music Theatre
The energy may be low, but the legend status is high when Steven Wright makes his way to Western Mass for a full blast of expertly precise one-liners that will have you thinking, laughing, and thinking some more as the night soldiers on.
Friday, September 16 at Academy Of Music Theatre, 274 Main St. in Northampton, MA :: 8 p.m. :: Tickets are $35 to $45
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes at The Wilbur
She’s already told her invigorating story of life, success and refusal to quit this year with her book Who Do I Think Am?, but now Johnson-Reyes is making her way to Boston’s Wilbur Theatre to build on it as she continues to write the next chapter in a comedy career that consistently delivers heartfelt storytelling and well-crafted joke writing that makes any of her shows more than worth the trip into the city.
Friday, September 16 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 7:30 p.m. :: Tickets are $39.50 to $139.50
Lewis Black at Lowell Memorial Auditorium
He’s already said more than enough to light a fire up under America’s ass, but apparently he has to keep saying it. Back in the Commonwealth for another opportunity to shed some light, and to pour some gasoline on the dumpster fire of society, Black isn’t holding anything back…again.
Friday, September 16 at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack Street in Lowell, MA :: 8 p.m. :: Tickets are $39 to $89
Eugene Mirman at The Burren
Mirman’s creative force knows no bounds, and when he’s on home turf, it feels even more potent. Embark on the journey that is orchestrated any time the Bob’s Burgers star is on stage in one of the area’s coziest spaces. Do yourself a solid and also consider some of The Burren’s Guinness Stew while you watch the show, because quite frankly, it’s pretty bonkers.
Saturday, September 17 at The Burren, 247 Elm St. in Somerville, MA :: 7:30 p.m. :: Sold out