COMEDY/VARIETY

The best of NYC comedy and variety shows

He’s Hill-arious. He’s the host with the most. He makes polyester somewhat breathable. He’s a razzler dazzler. He’s New York’s downtown superstar and international entertainment phenomenon Mr. Murray Hill! This fabulous star of stage, music videos, laptops and big screens has dazzled audiences the world over with his unique brand of interactive humor and old school showbiz, with a twist. He’s back in NYC to perform his wildly popular The Murray Hill Show Saturdays in September at Mo Pitkins, so don’t miss the boozy, bawdy fun!

Beginning Sept 26, comedian-turned-professional bellydancer Margaret Cho takes on the Zipper Factory with her burlesque-style variety show The Sensuous Woman. Cho will be joined by an eclectic group of burlesque and comedy performers including Princess Farhana, Ian Harvie, Selene Luna, Liam Sullivan, Dirty Martini and Diana Yanez. Expect plenty of gender-bending fun and get ready to see performers—including Cho—bare all (literally!).

One of the largest and most talked-about comedy festivals in New York City, the New York Underground Comedy Festival takes on scattered hot comedy venues Sept 28–Oct 7. The festival showcases the raucous and hilarious stylings of some of today’s best comedians. Look out for performances by Jessica Kirson, Laurie Kilmartin and Vanessa Hollingshead, three funny ladies who tackle the comical side of women’s issues and use their talent to empower women everywhere.

On Sept 18, head down to Spiegelworld, the South Street Seaport’s summer performance palace, as Earl Dax presents the final edition of wildly popular political cabaret Weimar New York. Featuring Justin Bond as emcee, Weimar New York boasts edgy performances by chanteuse Meow Meow, Rachelle Garniez, Micheline Van Hautem, Holcombe Waller, Theo Bleckmann and the Pixie Harlots.

Dixon Place presents the chaotic performance art of Dynasty Handbag, Sept 14–15, 21–22 and 28–29. One-woman music/comedy/performance/meltdown Jibz Cameron (aka Dynasty Handbag) treats us to her new work, Deep Feelings, which uses voice-over, video, music, multiple personalities and extreme physical eruptions to explore the rocky, beautiful and sometimes disgusting terrain of true intimacy.


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