December is a special time for comedians. Not only are they trying to scrape together enough money from the commercials and VH1 shows they booked this year to buy presents for their family, but it’s also Aspen audition time. The U.S. Comedy Arts Festival held in Aspen is a Mecca for comedians. Auditioning and being chosen for the USCAF and mingling with the comedy elite (past performers have included…basically everyone famous) is a career maker for many who attend. This weekend, check out the shows that just might end up catapulting these New York comics toward sitcom deals, Hollywood scripts or at the very least, a Sierra Mist ad. All shows are free.
Downtown sketch comedians The Whitest Kids U Know are up Wednesday night at 11pm at UCB.
Jessica St. Clair and Jason Mantzoukas’ show We Used to Go Out marks their attempt at a second trip to Aspen. Thursday at 4:30pm at the UCB
Writer/performer Brian Finkelstein’s solo show First Day Off in a Long Time, about working at a suicide hotline runs Thursday at 7:30 at UCB
The Dave Hill Explosion Thursday at 11pm at UCB
Nick Kroll, Eliza Coupe and Buffoons Two solo performances and a sketch show for the price of none. Friday at 5:30pm, UCB
Off the Web, Thursday at 3pm at The PIT A showcase featuring Todd Levin, Bob Powers, Chelsea Peretti and CollegeHumor.com
Nico Payama’s Video Variety Hour features the awesome Kristen Schaal and Slovin and Allen Friday at 4pm at the PIT.
Brian Gallivan comes to NYC by way of Second City and Farahnakian and Flynn improvise in this showcase at noon Saturday at the PIT, and stay for a 3pm showing of the 2005 Fringe Festival’s Outstanding Solo Show “The Miseducation of Jenna Bush”, starring Melissa Rauch.
