Editor’s Note: We’ve reached the halfway point of 2023, and that may not exactly be a fun fact to deal with. But the beauty of it is, there’s plenty of comedy coming through the area to help you laugh it off and soldier on through the existential dread of the dog days of summer. 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. 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 (July 16).
Mark Normand at The Loft Comedy Club
As he closes in on the premiere of his next special, the highly in-demand Normand is starting fresh with an intimate spot to start working on his next run of material. Polished or not, Normand has proven his joke writing and ability to inject a power punch at the last second is unbeatable, and to catch such a potent and bright comedy star in an up-close environment like The Loft doesn’t always happen, so step into this funhouse of lighthearted jabs while you have the chance.
MARK NORMAND :: Wednesday, July 12 and Thursday, July 13 at The Loft Comedy Club, 92 View St. in Chicopee, MA :: 5 and 9 p.m. both nights, $45 :: Advance Tickets
Ramy Youssef at The Wilbur
Truly a one-of-a-kind comedy force, Youssef blends his insightful perspective on the world with a dangerously sharp wit and a penchant for delivering nothing but top-tier art with every project — and that’s what he does off the stage. What Youssef to the spotlight is all that and then some, bringing the uncomfortable stuff to the forefront with an untouchable charm, making it easier to digest, and brutally honest when need be.
RAMY YOUSSEF :: Thursday, July 13 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 6:30 p.m., $35 to $45 :: Advance Tickets
Brad Williams at The Wilbur
It seems as though Williams cannot and will not be stopped. Continuing to put in the work in theaters and clubs all over the country, the power-packed storytelling extraordinaire isn’t letting up off the gas as he cruises into town for a Friday doubleheader that is sure to be not only one of the best all-around comedy shows you’ll see in the city all year, but also one of the most genuine displays of a love for the craft you’ll see anywhere.
BRAD WILLIAMS :: Friday, July 14 at The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 6:30 and 9 p.m., $27 to $35 :: Advance Tickets
Neal Brennan at The Wilbur
Closing out one hell of a run of shows at The Wilbur this week, Brennan makes his way back to town for the second time in just under a year with two offerings of his brand new show that, given the deeply thought out and articulated viewpoints that made up his last two specials, is sure to carry its own weight in stand-up potency, creative inspiration and cultural commentary. You just don’t get much better than Brennan, and it’s almost a guarantee that he’ll show us why (again) this weekend.
NEAL BRENNAN: BRAND NEW NEAL :: Saturday, July 15 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., $39 :: Advance Tickets