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 23).
Tim Ciampa at Nick’s Comedy Stop
There are a number of reasons why Tim Ciampa was a finalist in last year’s “Massachusetts Funniest Person” competition, and now you get to see those reasons played out on one of the country’s most renowned comedy stages, with the longtime Boston-based comic delivering a batch of comedy that is as relatable and genuine as you can get.
TIM CIAMPA :: Friday, July 21 at Nick’s Comedy Stop, 100 Warrenton St. in Boston, MA :: 8 p.m., $22 :: Advance Tickets
Pauley & Ducharme at Off Cabot
Two for the price of one is already a great time, but to have those two be a pair of killer comics that know each other better than anyone in the room, and also know how to get the room going quickly? You just can’t ask for more than that.
PAULEY & DUCHARME :: Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 at Off Cabot, 9 Wallis St. in Beverly, MA :: 7 p.m., $30 :: Advance Tickets
David Lucas at Laugh Boston
Prepare yourself, because aside from the side-splitting stories and jokes, David Lucas also takes no shit when it comes to dealing with hecklers and outright roasting his peers and audience. An untethered, glorious time is bound to be had in the Seaport, but you best buckle up just to be safe.
DAVID LUCAS :: Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 6 and 9 p.m., $33 :: Advance Tickets
Shaun Connolly at Pepe’s Dolce Bar
Worcester just does it differently, and this weekend is no exception. There’s desserts, and there’s a headlining gig by one of the grand pillars of the Wormtown arts scene. To sweeten the deal even further, there’s a full lineup of comedy leading up to the main event that will have you gasping for breath in addition to managing the sugar high.
SHAUN CONNOLLY :: Saturday, July 22 at Pepe’s Dolce Bar, 181 Shrewsbury St. in Worcester, MA :: 7:30 p.m., $15 :: Advance Tickets