Editor’s Note: Just like a young, ramen-noodle-haired Justin Timberlake once said, “it’s gonna be May.” Well, now it actually is, and the comedy stages around Massachusetts are continuing to bring nothing but the best in the game into the spotlight. With homegrown talent, national headliners, and open mics galore highlighting the calendar, the plethora of powerful comedy throughout the commonwealth continues to show up, night after night. 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 (May 14).
Derrick Brown’s album recording at The Rockwell
More often than not, live album recordings bring out the best in every aspect of the night’s events, and this one is no exception. Hosted by Eugene Mirman, the award-winning poet shows his long-standing creative versatility as he shifts into wearing his comedy hat for the evening, forging something of a “stand-up poetry” hybrid that brings just two of his wide-ranging talents together for what is bound to be a night of creative force.
DERRICK BROWN FEATURING EUGENE MIRMAN :: Tuesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 10 at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St. in Somerville, MA :: 7:30 p.m. both nights, $20 :: Advance tickets
Lewis Black at Hanover Theatre
In case you find yourself in need of letting off some week’s end steam, let Lewis Black do it for you. Returning to Worcester shortly after the release of his new special on YouTube, Black seems as equally pissed off and level-headed as ever, and we’re really here for all of it once again. There’s just no stopping the legendary comedy freight train from going off the rails this time, so just sit back and enjoy the madness.
LEWIS BLACK :: Friday, May 12 at The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St. in Worcester, MA :: 8 p.m., $49 to $69 :: Event info
https://youtu.be/KtE_g3cHTZE
Anthony DeVito at The Loft Comedy Club
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more intimate and laid back room than Chicopee’s revamped comedy space, and having DeVito take the stage in such a place can really only lead to a fun Friday night of top-notch comedy at an affordable price. With his ability to anchor both “regular” stand-up sets and deeper, more thoughtful one-man shows, DeVito continues to stake his claim as one of the realest voices in the game.
ANTHONY DEVITO :: Friday, May 12 at The Loft Comedy Club, 92 View St. in Chicopee, MA :: Friday at 7 p.m., $20 :: Advance Tickets
Steve Martin & Martin Short at Wang Theatre
Two heads are better than one, and when those two heads just happen to be a pair of certified living legends, there’s no “L” to be found. Join the longtime comedy partners as they make the rounds for another evening of tomfoolery and optically crafted comedy that will be nothing short of an absolute comedy clinic from two of the best to ever do it.
STEVE MARTIN & MARTIN SHORT :: Saturday, May 13 at The Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 8 p.m., tickets start at $79 :: Event info