IF YOU THOUGHT THE FILMING of the new version of Godzilla was the big invasion news in NYC, let me tell you there's another invader whose battle objective is to be a driving force in comedy, June 6 through 15. Yes, it's the fifth anniversary of the Toyota Comedy Festival. And with more than 200 performers in 40 different venues, you can be certain that if there are eight million stories in the naked city, producers Alan King, John Schreiber, and George Wein are making sure they'll all have great punchlines.
After attending the Festival's press conference in Midtown, at Caroline's fun, kitschy Comedy Nation theme restaurant, I'm ready to say, "I love what you do for comedy, Toyota." The Greater New York Toyota Dealers Association is making a special effort this year to present acts that are accessible and affordable to families as well as to traditional comedy audiences. One show, "Kids'N Comedy" (recently featured on "Eyewitness News"), is at the Knitting Factory, June 14, and has kids doing stand-up for kids--including headliners Josh Peck and Joel Plue. You can see a free three-ring circus at Pier 17's "Circus by the Seaport," June 7 and 8.
Toyota also has free shows like HBO's Comedy in Bryant Park. HBO's opening ceremony, June 6, at noon, is hosted by Alan King and features Letterman's warm-up comic, Eddie Brill, and one of my favorite funny females Susie Essman. And there's Rockefeller Center Plaza's "Laughs at Lunch," June 9, with one of this year's Back Stage Bistro Award-winners: Jeff Ross. "Cocktail Hour at the Seaport," June 13, combines the powerhouse talents of Dave Attell and cabaret's Baby Jane Dexter, and you'll even find Barnes and Noble featuring literary laughs, including author Janice Eidus reading from her "The Celibacy Club" and Dr. Sue Horowitz reading her "Queens of Comedy."
DID YOU KNOW there's a yearly "Busker's Fare" to celebrate our talented street performers? Toyota has also joined that party, with a parade on June 10 which winds its way to the World Trade Center. If the idea of clowns descending on Wall Street scares you (or is a replay of what you have to face every day at work), I suggest a session with Comedy Central's Dr. Katz. Jonathan Katz will host a special one-time only "Dr. Katz Reunion Live," June 12, at Catch A Rising Star.
COMEDY CENTRAL is also celebrating its fifth anniversary, so it's joined forces with Toyota to co-sponsor four major comedy events. Having worked myself with Tony Fox in the past on his "Absolutely Fabulous" events, I can vouch that the Comedy Central posse knows how to host a happening. They're also presenting my favorite event of the festival: the always witty and classy Ariana Huffington (she brought the house down at the press conference by asking, "How many women does it take to keep our President satisfied It takes a village!"); and SNL alumnus, five-time Emmy award-winner, and best-selling author Al Franken. The two will present a live version of their smash TV hit, "Strange Bedfellows," at the Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse, on June 9.
AFTER SEEING last season how important alternative comedy was, the festival has Janeane Garofalo ruling Irving Plaza, June 14. Her guests include Aspen favorites Slovin and Allen and acoustic super group parody Tenacious D. Alternative will also make its presence felt at Surf Reality, as you lace up your leathers for Mistress Elsa's "The Witching Hour." Surf's Serious Pratfalls Series has another Back Stage Bistro winner worth watching: Tom Shillue. Luna Lounge's "Eating It," P.S. 122's "Cement Beach," Dixon Place's "Chicas 2000," and Stella at Fez also have festival shows.
CAROLINE'S LINE-UPS FEATURE: Richard Jeni; Craig Shoemaker; "Stand-Ups From SNL," including Darrell Hammond; and "Julie Halston's New York," with Harvey Fierstein. Boston Comedy Club has another favorite of mine--Dave Chappelle--and SNL's Tracy Morgan (who also hosts a festival night at The Apollo). The Comedy Cellar features Ray Romano and Comics Who Write For TV, including Greg Giraldo and Mike Sweeney. Gotham Comedy Club has the "Conan O'Brien Writers." The Comic Strip has the "Chris Rock Show Writers," including Louis C.K., and the "Daily Show Writers," featuring Craig Kilbourn and Lizz Winstead. New York Comedy Club has USA's "Up All Nite" hostess Rhonda Shear, with Marla Schultz and Becky Donohue. Stand Up NY has Femmes Fatales, hosted by Sunda Croonquist. She is also featured in Stand Up NY's"Comics Who Should Have Sitcoms," which welcomes back to New York NBC's "Boston Common" 's Zak Galifinakis. Joy Behar is another stand-out at Stand Up NY, as are the writers for Rosie O'Donnell, featuring Ace Award-winner Judy Gold and Eric Kornfeld. Catch A Rising Star becomes "Sketch A Rising Star" for four nights. Look there on June 14 for Jason and Randy Sklar, whose "Apt. 2F" debuts on MTV this summer.
I TRY not to get Hype-notized by the buzz that sketch groups generate.
I often feel that these groups have a few really stellar performers and that the rest pale next to those talented teammates. One group however, "Live On Tape," has just taped six episodes for NBC. I couldn't be happier for members Tony Mennuto, Mary Birdsong, and Tom Bolster. They've been paying their dues for years, creating one-of-a-kind characters and fearless improv, and any group they've chosen to join is worth a look, June 13 at Catch.
Call 1-800-79-Toyota for complete festival prices and info.
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Got a chance to see Out Latina comedienne Marga Gomez's "Hung Like a Fly," and now I know why she was a hit at the Public Theater. Run to the Bottom Line June 14 and enjoy this mega-talent with mass appeal.
June 11, hear love songs for the romantically impaired in "Honey We Have to Talk," featuring Christine Lavin and David Buskin (who has written most of your favorite jingles as well).
Had a big surprise watching the golden-voiced Christian Nova totally let loose and crack up a capacity crowd as he skewered his role playing the Phantom on tour, in his show "Feather in My Shoe," at Don't Tell Mama, June 6, 7, 13, and 14, at 7 pm.