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 26).
Jeff May at Redemption Rock Brewing
He wears many hats aside from the one with the eponymous “M” that has become his lone merch offering, but when it comes to stand-up, Massachusetts comedy fans just can’t get enough of their native son. With a rare home turf performance that is once again on the verge of selling out, the Charlton native and former school teacher isn’t necessarily looking to change the world from behind the mic, but helping the masses get their midweek chuckles works wonders for morale, and that’s pretty much the same thing.
JEFF MAY :: Wednesday, February 22 at Redemption Rock Brewing, 333 Shrewsbury St. in Worcester, MA :: 8 p.m., $17 :: Advance tickets
Stavros Halkias at The Wilbur
With the future of Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in question, the title of “Pride of Baltimore” may soon fall into the lap of the deliciously unphased stand-up titan — or at least we hope. With his first trek to The Wilbur nearing a complete sell-out across five shows, the comedic force that Halkias wields speaks for itself, and after this weekend it will become even clearer that this is Stavvy’s world and we’re just living in it.
STAVROS HALKIAS :: Thursday, February 23 to Sunday, February 26 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 6 and 8:45 p.m., Sunday at 6 and 8:45 p.m., $35 to $55 :: Advance Tickets
John Mulaney at Symphony Hall
It’s been a long road back for Mulaney, and after further traveling that road to bring his deeply personal and introspective new hour all over the country for the better part of the past two years, he returns to Boston to press “record” and etch it into stone with a special taping. If you couldn’t manage to get tickets to the swiftly sold-out shows, we’ll be able to see it unfold in a few months time, but there’s no doubt that the FOMO will be real regardless when it comes to one of the best in the game delivering his best work from the Symphony Hall stage.
JOHN MULANEY :: Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26 at Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave. in Boston, MA :: Saturday at 9 p.m. Sunday at 6 and 9:30 p.m. :: Advance Tickets
Ryan Niemiller at Off Cabot
Although his name isn’t often dropped in conversation about the upper echelon of current stand-up, Niemiller is as real and gut-busting as you can be when it comes to putting in the work and being dangerously consistent in delivering solid set after solid set. With a refreshing perspective and an equally potent delivery, Niemiller brings the laughs in bunches that are not only worth the trek out into the world, but also well worth your money for a weekend experience.
RYAN NIEMILLER :: Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25 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