Editor’s Note: While the month of March is most often closely associated with shamrocks, Guinness, and Dropkick Murphys becoming everyone’s favorite band for a few weeks, look no further than right here for your pot o’ gold at the end of the comedy rainbow. With homegrown talent, national headliners, and open mics galore highlighting the calendar, the plethora of powerful comedy in and around the city continues to bring a level of madness that can’t even be topped by the top-seeded basketball program in the nation. As the days (hopefully) become warmer and we start to thaw from the bitterness chill of winter, 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 (March 26).
Nick Zaino‘s 100 Years of Boston Comedy at Cambridge Public Library
He may or may not deliver any jokes himself, but the local journalist, podcaster, and comedy historian has quite a journey through the decades planned. From Fred Allen to Ziwe, the comedy fanatic brings us through the highs, lows, success stories and odd anecdotes that have made Boston comedy such a legendary institution in the industry.
NICK ZAINO’S ‘100 YEARS OF BOSTON COMEDY’ :: Wednesday, March 22 at Cambridge Public Library, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: 6 p.m., free admission :: Event Info and Registration
Matt Rife at The Wilbur
Whether you’re looking for it or not, Rife has the tendency to use his highly-touted crowd work skills to find the most ridiculous aspects of his audience and make one hell of a show out of it. Of course, that’s only one aspect, but Rife is consistently making a name for himself with both outrageous and honest material that brings crowds of all ages to his shows. In this case, it’s three sold out shows at The Wilbur, so take that for what it’s worth.
MATT RIFE :: Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: Wednesday at 6 p.m., Thursday at 6 and 9 p.m., $30 to $75 :: Advance Tickets
The Weed Game Show at Laugh Boston
Now that we’ve made it beyond St. Patrick’s Day, it’s time to hype up another green leaf. Join host Dan Hall as he curates an experience in the Seaport that has proven to be a fan favorite among those who subscribe to the lure of the electric lettuce, while hashing out a comedic force that will only go up in smoke in the best way possible.
THE WEED GAME SHOW :: Thursday, March 23 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: 7 p.m., $25 :: Advance Tickets
Chris Distefano at The Wilbur
It’s all coming up Chrissy Clam Chowder in 2023. Aside from a largely sold-out return to The Wilbur, Distefano will also be taking the stage at Radio City Music Hall to a sold-out crowd in his native New York City later this year. The name of his Right Intention, Wrong Move your might suggest differently, but Distefano is certainly making all the right moves as it stands with his off-color and cringingly unfiltered perspective.
CHRIS DISTEFANO: RIGHT INTENTION, WRONG MOVE :: Friday, March 24 to Saturday, March 25 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: Friday at 6:30 and 9 p.m., Saturday at 6 and 8:45 p.m., $37 to $97 :: Advance Tickets