Editor’s Note: It’s hard to believe we’re at the halfway point of February already, but 2023 is already showing that it isn’t slowing down for anyone — and to our benefit, neither is the comedy game. With homegrown talent, national headliners, and open mics galore highlighting the calendar, the plethora of powerful comedy in and around the city continues to climb higher than that electric bill, and we’re here to help you take a bit of a breather from the tax season stresses. 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 (February 19).
Love Is a Joke at Laugh Boston
Love is in the air, and the jokes are in high supply as the annual Valentine’s week show makes its way back to the Seaport for another run of couples doing what couples do best — tell jokes, talk a little shit, and support each other. That was sappy as hell.
LOVE IS A JOKE :: Tuesday, February 14 to Saturday, February 18 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: Tuesday to Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 7 and 10 p.m., $33 :: Advance Tickets
Jacqueline Novak at Race Street Live
*** Editor’s note: this show has been cancelled. ***
Before she returns to Boston with her critically-acclaimed show, Novak is bringing this provocative and unfiltered one-person presentation to the birthplace of volleyball, and presents an elite-level back-and-forth between self deprecation, socially-driven viewpoints and a thought-provoking throughline that will have you taking a knee to gather yourself.
JACQUELINE NOVAK: GET ON YOUR KNEES :: Wednesday, February 15 at Race Street Live, 114 Race St. in Holyoke, MA :: 8 p.m., $35 to $40 :: Advance tickets
Shane Torres at Off Cabot
While selling out rooms all over the country, Torres continues to exemplify, with ease, just why he’s one of the most in-demand talents in the game today. A new hour of fresh takes, absurd stories and catchy punchlines sounds like a great idea, and to have Torres on the delivering end only sweetens the deal that much more.
SHANE TORRES :: Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18 at Off Cabot, 9 Wallis St. in Beverly, MA :: Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 5 and 7:30 p.m., $30 :: Advance tickets
Alingon Mitra at Roar! Comedy Club
It’s just the facts: You’re not going to get much more real than Alingon Mitra. Without sacrificing any element for another, Mitra’s multi-faceted joke writing and delivery have brought through the ranks to being one of the country’s most well-respected comedy talents, and any given show is a full-blown exhibition as to why and how.
ALINGON MITRA :: Saturday, February 18 at Roar! Comedy Club, 1 MGM Way in Springfield, MA :: 8 p.m., $25 :: Advance tickets