Editor’s Note: As the summer wears on, and the earth continues to melt a little more each day, it’s becoming abundantly clear that the best place to be is indoors – like comedy clubs and theaters. The good news here is that comedy is still coursing through the veins of The Commonwealth even as the temperature rises and the humidity keeps things soupy, so you have plenty to do while also evading the heat. 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 (August 11).
Ian Fidance at Laugh Boston
He may have one of the most talked about specials of the year so far, but Ian Fidance isn’t slowing down any time soon as he brings his high-energy steam engine of off-the-wall punk rock comedy to the Seaport for a quick Friday night double feature. You might learn some new words and find yourself gasping a few times if you aren’t used to his game, but you’ll be leaving the room with a whole night of expertly crafted chaos behind you to kick off the weekend.
IAN FIDANCE :: Friday, August 9 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., $33 :: Advance tickets
Jesse Burlingame at Nick’s Comedy Stop
He was one of the best in the city when he lived here, and Jesse Burlingame still one of the best to deliver as he makes a quick hometown return from the bustling scene in Austin. The Worcester native has surely seen some shit on his travels into another major comedy metropolis, and that should be even more of a reason to hear what he has to bring us up to speed on when he comes back to fill one of the most legendary stages in Boston.
JESSE BURLINGAME :: Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10 at Nick’s Comedy Stop, 100 Warrenton St. in Boston, MA :: 7:15 p.m., $22 :: Advance Tickets
Rachel Bloom at The Wilbur
Rachel Bloom is back, and continues to build her comedically-charged empire with her latest show in which she defies the reaper in order to deliver some top-notch hilarity with a litany of stories, reflections and even some music thrown into the mix. All of this, of course, is delivered in Bloom’s upfront-but-creatively sculpted approach to the stage, which only makes it one of the best shows to hit the city all year.
RACHEL BLOOM :: Saturday, August 10 at The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m., $35 to $55 :: Advance tickets
Shane Mauss at Laugh Boston
If you ever wanted to see what it might be like if Bill Nye and Timothy Leary teamed up to do a comedy show, Shane Mauss has, perhaps, offered something just like that. Of course, the wildly informative and entertaining journey through a discussion of psychedelic drugs is powered by Mauss’ long-standing laidback demeanor and sharply written comedy and storytelling, all packaged up together to deliver a pretty rad trip, even if you aren’t actively tripping balls.
SHANE MAUSS :: Sunday, August 11 at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. in Boston, MA :: 6 p.m., $25 to $40 :: Advance tickets