Editor’s Note: The vibes of football season, eating more apples off of trees than you actually pick, and what will inevitably be droves of I Think You Should Leave Halloween costumes (sexy pig with a Nixon mask, anyone?) are feeling more within reach by the day now as we say goodbye to summer and usher in summer (September’s version). However, live comedy is an four-season jamboree, and lucky for you, we’ve got you covered. 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 (September 24).
Comedy at Starlite
With Brieana Woodward’s newest comedy showcase, the description alone, which states to “leave kids and curmudgeons at home” due to content and subject matter, it’s already shaping up to be a good time. With its maiden voyage slated for this week, the free comedy show boasts a full lineup of nothing but the best. That’s a win if the town of Southbridge has ever seen one.
COMEDY AT STARLITE :: Thursday, September 21 at Starlite, 39 Hamilton St. in Southbridge, MA :: 9 p.m., free admission :: Event info
Ian Fidance at Roar! Comedy Club
With his deliciously unhinged approach to the stage, Ian Fidance offers an unrelenting excitement that is truly unique to his punk rock perspective. Chaotic, loud, and still maintaining a deeply layered personality (kinda like Springfield itself, come to think of it), Fidance isn’t worried about calling it out where it hurts sometimes, but most of the time, he’s just saying the stuff we dare not discuss with an unmatched confidence and honesty.
IAN FIDANCE :: Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23 at Roar! Comedy Club, 1 MGM Way in Springfield, MA :: 8 p.m., $25 :: Advance tickets
Aparna Nancherla at Laugh Boston
As something of a voice in all of our heads, Aparna Nancherla’s sensibility meshed with an honest and humble humor has curated some of the best batches of comedy we’ve seen. One of the best on the grind, there aren’t many in the game who can claim the same level of thoughtful, well-crafted and unabashed jokes and musings that Nancherla does.
APARNA NANCHERLA :: Friday, September 22 to Saturday, September 23 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 6 and 9 p.m., $33 to $61 ($28 book add-on available) :: Advance Tickets
Gary Gulman at The Wilbur
In celebration of his brand new memoir, Misfit: Growing Up Awkward in the ‘80s, the Peabody native is fitting right back in at home with two shows at The Wilbur. With the unleashing of these extended stories, there’s no telling where Gulman is going to bring his stand-up now. Chances are, though, it’ll be as real, upfront and expertly crafted as you can get, per usual, so whether you get to the matinee show (which is a genius idea) or the late show, it’s bound to be a great day hoisting the Gul above our heads and declaring him the man of the hour.
GARY GULMAN :: Saturday, September 23 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 2 and 6 p.m., $36 to $54 :: Advance Tickets