Fall comedy preview: 20 Long Island shows that will bring the funny
Triple threat: Jon Stewart, John Mulaney and Pete Davidson share the UBS Arena stage on Oct. 15. Credit: Photo courtesy of Jon Stewart, John Mullaney and Pete Davidson
Comedian Matt Friend unabashedly performs cartoonish impressions of President Donald Trump these days on social media without any concern.
"Right now, Trump is kind of the main character of the world, therefore the impression is very relevant. I’m not nervous about doing it because I approach my comedy in a very bipartisan way. I go on Fox News as well as MSNBC," said Friend, 27. "When it comes to Trump, what I’m really doing is just repeating exactly what he says."
After the recent assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel suspension, Friend (who has worked on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!") views this as a dark time in our country.
"It’s a horrible thing that people are being killed over their opinion. At the same time, it’s also horrible that comedy shows might be silenced or canceled because of a joke," Friend said. "This is America, and we have to come together to laugh."
When asked if he fears governmental intervention in his comedy, Friend quipped, "I don’t feel like Brendan Carr [chairman of the Federal Communications Commission] is going to interrupt my show and arrest me, but you never know, that could change."
Matt Friend: "This is America, and we have come together to laugh." Credit: Getty Images for The Recording Academy/Jerod Harris
Friend, who will be performing at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts’ Krasnoff Theater on Nov. 14, is headling one of 20 comedy shows on Long Island not to miss this fall. Another big show is the triple bill of Jon Stewart, John Mulaney and Pete Davidson at UBS Arena on Oct. 15, where there’s a good chance the country’s political landscape will be fodder for some jokes. Here’s a guide on who to catch this season:
MARIA BAMFORD
Maria Bamford is known for her quirky comedy. Credit: Getty Images for Netflix/Matt Winkelmeyer
The queen of quirky comedy hits the stage at Landmark on Main Street — Jeanne Rimsky Theater in Port Washington on Oct. 5.
LOCATION 232 Main Street, Suite 1, Port Washington
INFO 516-767-6444, landmarkonmainstreet.org
TICKETS $43.93-$65.03
WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE
Don’t miss these ladies of laughter — Carole Montgomery, Missy Hall and Lynne Koplitz — as they take The Suffolk in Riverhead by storm on Oct. 5.
LOCATION 118 E. Main Street, Riverhead
INFO 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org
TICKETS $50-$90
KEVIN JAMES
"The King of Queens" himself, who grew up in Mineola and Stony Brook, returns to Long Island for a homecoming show at The Paramount in Huntington on Oct. 5.
LOCATION 370 New York Ave., Huntington
INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
TICKETS $86.50-$118.75
TOM ARNOLD
Actor/TV personality Arnold ("True Lies," "Roseanne") performs a one-man show about his life and career as part of his "My Crazy Ex-Wife Tour," which comes to The Brokerage in Bellmore on Oct. 9. Arnold has been married four times including to his first wife comedian Roseanne Barr.
"It’s always surprising to people which ex-wife is the craziest," Arnold, 66, said. "Hint, it’s not Roseanne. She’s not even close to my craziest ex-wife."
During his show Arnold talks about being an older dad to a 12-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter.
"I did a lot of fun and exciting things in my life like traveling, making movies, having sex and partying. But all that’s over," Arnold said. "Now I do a lot of driving. After school, one kid has football, the other has dance. I average 100 miles a day."
LOCATION 2797 Merrick Road, Bellmore
INFO 516-781-5233, brokerage.govs.com
TICKETS $38.50 (plus two item minimum), 16 and older
JON STEWART/JOHN MULANEY/PETE DAVIDSON
A trio of TV stars, Stewart ("The Daily Show"), Mulaney ("Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney") and Davidson ("Saturday Night Live"), team up for a night of hilarity at UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont on Oct. 15.
LOCATION 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
INFO 516-460-8950, ubsarena.com
TICKETS $96.75-$242.35
NATE JACKSON
Fresh off his popular Netflix special, "Super Funny," Jackson presents his "Big Dog" show at The Paramount on Oct. 16.
LOCATION 370 New York Avenue, Huntington
INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
TICKETS $84.35
ANTHONY RODIA
Anthony Rodia will perform two shows at The Paramount. Credit: Jeffrey Auger
The Franklin Square funnyman does double duty with an early show (7 p.m.) and late show (9:30 p.m.) when his "Laugh Till It Hurts Tour" arrives at The Paramount on Oct. 18.
LOCATION 370 New York Avenue, Huntington
INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
TICKETS $64.75-$144.75
TOM SEGURA
After selling out Madison Square Garden this past spring, Segura (Netflix’s "Bad Thoughts") brings his "Come Together Tour" to Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair for two shows (5 and 8:30 p.m.) on Oct. 18.
LOCATION 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury
INFO 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
TICKETS $47.50-$152
LEAH RUDICK
TikTok star Leah Rudick headlines The Brokerage this fall. Credit: Getty Images for ABA/Michael S. Schwartz
Best known for her viral videos on TikTok and Instagram, Rudnick (HBO’s "High Maintenance") has amassed millions of followers and now she’s headlining The Brokerage on Oct. 24-25.
LOCATION 2797 Merrick Road, Bellmore
INFO 516-781-5233, brokerage.govs.com
TICKETS $35 (plus two item minimum), 16 and older
MICHAEL RAPAPORT
Actor/podcaster Rapaport ("Beautiful Girls," "Cop Land") gets behind the mic at Governor’s in Levittown on Nov. 7 and 8.
LOCATION 90 Division Avenue, Levittown
INFO 516-731-3358, govs.com
TICKETS $41 (plus two item minimum), 16 and older
STEVE-O
The "Jackass" star's "Crash and Burn Tour" pulls into the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Nov. 9.
LOCATION 71 E. Main St., Patchogue
INFO 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
TICKETS $40.75-$126.75
MATT FRIEND
The man of 1,000 impressions will perform at Tilles' Krasnoff Theater on Nov. 14. "On stage I discuss stories about meeting different celebrities at various events whether it’s John Oliver, Barack Obama, Jeff Goldblum or Howard Stern," Friend said. "There are also observational topics about current events and political happenings in the country. There’s clearly no shortage of supply there."
LOCATION 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
INFO 516-299-3100, tillescenter.org
TICKETS $45.80-$84.65
VIC DiBITETTO
Known as "The Donkey of Comedy" or "The Working Class Zero,”DiBitetto will carry his comedic anger and frustrations to Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on Nov. 15.
LOCATION 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury
INFO 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
TICKETS $48-$118.50
JIM NORTON
Comedian/radio personality Norton, formerly of "The Opie & Anthony Show," delivers his "Now You Know" show at The Paramount on Nov. 21.
LOCATION 370 New York Ave., Huntington
INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
TICKETS $43.75-$76.25
TOM COTTER
Catch the breakout star from Season 7 of "America's Got Talent" when he arrives at Governor’s for a post-Thanksgiving show on Nov. 28.
LOCATION 90 Division Ave., Levittown
INFO 516-731-3358, govs.com
TICKETS $31 (plus two item minimum), 16 and older
BOBBY COLLINS
Collins, who grew up in New Hyde Park, makes it back to the East Coast to deliver the funny at McGuire’s in Bohemia on Nov. 28 and Governor’s on Nov. 29.
LOCATION 1627 Smithtown Ave., Bohemia; 90 Division Avenue, Levittown
INFO 631-467-5413, bohemia.govs.com; 516-731-3358, govs.com
TICKETS $36 (plus two item minimum), 16 and older
ARIES SPEARS
Aries Spears: "The current climate of comedy is so incredibly sensitive now. But people are tired of it." Credit: Getty Images/Ethan Miller
When Spears comes to Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on Dec. 5 expect high energy and high volume.
"My show is not stepped on and not mixed," Spears, 50, said. "It’s pure, straight, hard and to the point."
Spears caught the public’s attention as Cuba Gooding Jr.’s brother Tee Pee in the 1996 film "Jerry Maguire" followed by his eight-season run on "MADtv."
"MADtv was almost like my comedic fraternity," Spears said. "I was surrounded by great sketch comedy performers. It was a real education."
Spears discusses a little bit of everything in his show from pop culture to race relations in America, peppered with some impressions.
"The current climate of comedy is so incredibly sensitive now. But people are tired of it," Spears said. "They want to get past this whole political correctness and just have a good time. That’s what I give ’em."
LOCATION 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury
INFO 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
TICKETS $41.75-$97.50
ANDREW DICE CLAY
The Diceman Cometh: Andrew Dice Clay returns to The Paramount. Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP/Amy Harris
The Diceman takes over The Paramount with his legendary bawdy comedy just in time to spice up the holiday season on Dec. 6.
LOCATION 370 New York Ave., Huntington
INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
TICKETS $54.25-$99.99
ELON GOLD
Elon Gold played the head of Hulu on season 11 of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Credit: Getty Images/Michael Tullberg
Known for his razor-sharp wit and Jewish-themed humor, Gold ("Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Chappelle’s Show") comes back to The Paramount on Dec. 16.
LOCATION 370 New York Ave., Huntington
INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
TICKETS $54.25-$76.25
LIL MO MOZZARELLA
The social media star (Mark Brucato) from Queens breaks from posting on Instagram to play a pair of dates at Governor’s on Dec. 19 and 20.
LOCATION 90 Division Ave., Levittown
INFO 516-731-3358, govs.com
TICKETS $31 (plus two-item minimum), 16 and older
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
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