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 21).
Todd Barry at City Winery
Delivery is important in comedy, but it’s ultimately nothing without solid joke writing behind it, and there are few joke writers that are good as Todd Barry. Taking stories, observations, and often times otherwise mundane experiences, Barry brings the room to an eruption of laughs night after night with what he makes seem like very little exertion.
TODD BARRY :: Tuesday, May 16 at City Winery, 80 Beverly St. in Boston, MA :: 5:30 p.m., $25 to $35 :: Advance Tickets
Piff The Magic Dragon at The Cabot
Comedy and magic are arguably two of the most interesting stage art forms known to man, and Piff, along with his Chihuahua Mr. Piffles, are coming to the area to combine the two in a unique way that will surely keep you on the edge of your seat — whether it’s because your intrigued or doubled over in laughter has yet to be determined, but there’s a good chance it will be a little bit if both.
PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON :: Thursday, May 18 at The Cabot, 286 Cabot St. in Bevetly, MA :: 7 p.m., tickets start at $39.50 :: Advance Tickets
Boston Comedy Festival All-Stars at Berklee Performance Center
Wherever you turn at this show, there’s a top-tier comedian waiting to bring the laughs in bunches. Bethany Van Delft, Corey Rodrigues, Raanan Hershberg and the incomparable Emo Philips are a tag team match made in heaven, and will show you just why with an all-out comedy blitz for the ages.
BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL ALL-STARS :: Friday, May 19 at Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave. in Boston, MA :: 8 p.m., $29 to $44 :: Advance Tickets
Alex Edelman at Emerson Colonial Theatre
If you missed your previous chance to catch Edelman’s critically-acclaimed solo show on home turf before he brings it to Broadway, it’s your lucky day. Bringing Just For Us back to Boston for only one more night, settle in to see a comedic and creative force in its final form before hitting an even bigger stage.
ALEX EDELMAN: JUST FOR US :: Saturday, May 20 at Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St. in Boston, MA :: 8 p.m., $25 to $65 :: Advance Tickets
Tracy Morgan at The Wilbur
The idea of taping a special at The Wilbur seems to be growing on an awful lot of comedy’s biggest names. Morgan will be the next on the list after this weekend, and given that he has maintained his ability to shape his widely regarded off-the-cuff approach to stand-up, it’s sure to be one hell of a special for the SNL alum.
TRACY MORGAN :: Saturday, May 20 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 6 and 8:45 p.m., $65 :: Advance Tickets
Boston Comedy Festival Gala at Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre
As always, BCF is keeping the best for last, as the stand-up contest reaches its final stage, Joe List and Brian Kiley are awarded accolades for their unwavering comedic drive, and Jim McCue steers another year of the long-running festival toward the finish line.
BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL GALA :: Saturday, May 20 at Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 7 p.m., $27 :: Advance Tickets
Samantha Bee at The Wilbur
*Insert corny pun about bees here*
Seeing Bee on a stand-up stage is certainly not how we’re used to her comedy being delivered, but with the cancellation of Full Frontal last year, we’ll have to be open to a new way to throw down with our “favorite woman,” as her tour name indicates. With that being said, if her current slate of stand-up material is anything like her run on TBS or The Daily Show, it’s bound to be one hell of a night.
SAMANTHA BEE :: Sunday, May 21 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 6 p.m., $39.50 to $179.50 :: Advance Tickets