Editor’s Note: Just like Justin Timberlake said way back in the day with his iconic ramen hair: “It’s gonna be May’. With a new month and nice weather comes even better comedy talent, and maybe a few less reasons to stay inside. So, while we keep searching for where the time and our sanity have gone, we’ll take the chance to remind you that comedy is continuing to do the Lord’s work by giving us something to smile (or groan, wince, or gasp) at. 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 (May 5).
Varietopia at City Winery
Paul F. Tompkins dips into a little of each of his creative and comedic wells as he unleashes the newest live edition of his long-living brainchild on a Boston crowd. Stand-up, music, sketch, improv — PFT has a little bit of everything for everyone, and we’re here for all of it.
VARIETOPIA :: Thursday, May 2 at City Winery, 80 Beverly St. in Boston, MA :: 6 and 9:30 p.m., $30 to $45 :: Advance tickets
Corinne Fisher at Laugh Boston
In an age where entirely too many comics consider themselves to be “edgy” or “to not give a fuck,” not many can be considered as much of a true representation of that as Corinne Fisher is. Regardless of topic or vibe, the Guys We Fucked co-host continues to play by her own rules night after night, offering up a uniquely insightful yet unfiltered show to all in attendance.
CORINNE FISHER :: Thursday, May 2 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: 7 p.m., $33 :: Advance tickets
Seth Meyers at The Wilbur
It almost seems unfair to have someone whose entire career has been devoted to crushing in front of live audiences like Seth Meyers throw it down in front of a stand-up crowd. But here we are, as the New Hampshire native and comedy Swiss Army knife makes his way back to New England for a near completely sold-out Wilbur weekend.
SETH MEYERS :: Friday, May 3 to Saturday, May 4 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 6 & 8:45 p.m. (both nights), $39 to $59 :: Advance tickets
Fruits By The Foot at Distraction Brewing Co.
It may not be the delicious fruit tape you were thinking about, but the lineup is as bonkers as those wild late-‘90s commercials. Join a slew of the area’s hardest hitting comedy voices including Angela Sawyer, Liam McGurk, Rachel Dunbar and more as the queer-focused lineup brings a hell of a show to the Distraction Brewing streets.
FRUITS BY THE FOOT :: Saturday, May 4 at Distraction Brewing Co., 2 Belgrade Ave. in Roslindale :: 8 p.m., $15 :: Advance tickets