Editor’s Note: After what felt like an endless winter, spring has finally sprung, and we’re here for all it entails. And while the refreshing breezes and start of baseball season have us itching to get outside and shake off the rust of hibernation, the comedy juggernauts posting up around town are making the decision to make our way inside clubs and theaters almost too easy. With homegrown talent, national headliners, and open mics galore highlighting the calendar, the plethora of powerful comedy throughout the commonwealth continues to bring the rain, kinda like those “April showers” we’ve always heard about. As the days finally become warmer and we start to thaw from the bitter cold, 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 (April 23).
Kevin Hart at MassMutual Center
After years of selling out arenas all over the world, it’s hard to imagine Kevin Hart bringing his comedy stardom to a yet another level, but here we are. With his second run of his well-received Reality Check tour, Hart is keeping us all up to date on all the big moments and little details of his life, still delivered with the same energetic and unfiltered approach that has made him such a titanic comedic force over the course of the past two decades.
KEVIN HART: THE REALITY CHECK TOUR :: Thursday, April 20 at MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St. in Springfield, MA :: 5:30 p.m., $99 to $178 :: Advance Tickets
Orlando Baxter at Worcester Brickbox Theater
Anyone familiar with Orlando Baxter knows just how much comedic power he harnesses, but hometown shows only add to it. Make the decision to join the former South High teacher for the weekend as he works out his latest slate of stories and jokes, and you better believe you’ll be in the company of one of the best in the game today.
ORLANDO BAXTER :: Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22 at Worcester Brickbox Theater, 20 Franklin St. in Worcester, MA :: 8 p.m., $29 :: Advance Tickets
Bethany Van Delft at Marriott Boston Quincy
You just can’t beat what Bethany Van Delft brings to the stage. Whether she’s throwing it down in a theater, a club, or any of the more intimate spaces around the area, the longtime comedy crusher will always deliver her top-shelf storytelling and joke writing with just the right amount of poetic intensity while also keeping it light and hilarious from start to finish.
BETHANY VAN DELFT :: Saturday, April 22 at Marriott Boston Quincy, 1000 Marriott Dr. in Quincy, MA :: 7:30 p.m., $25 :: Advance Tickets
Janelle James at The Wilbur
For years, Janelle James has been an undisputed heavyweight in the stand-up realm. Following her acclaimed role in Abbott Elementary, and leading up to what will mark the first theater show of her already deservedly decorated career, James has retained that heavyweight title, and the fact that the show is sold out only furthers explains just how much she’s bringing to the table.
JANELLE JAMES :: Sunday, April 23 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 6 p.m., $28 to $35 :: Advance Tickets