64 Comedians Compete in CAROLINE'S COMEDY MADNESS Stand-up Tournament

Taking a page from the NCAA College Basketball Tournament's "March Madness," famed comedy venue Carolines on Broadway will present its tenth annual "Carolines Comedy Madness," a five-round comedy competition in which 64 comedians will go head to head with audience members deciding who advances to the next rounds and who will be crowned the tournament champion. "Carolines Comedy Madness" events will take place this month, March 1, 8, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Tip-off for all events is at 7:00 p.m., at 1626 Broadway, between 49th and 50th Streets, in New York City.

Tickets for all of the "Carolines Comedy Madness" shows are $10.00 per person, plus a two-beverage minimum. Tickets can be purchased online at www.carolines.com. Reservations can be made by calling the Carolines Box Office at 212.757.4100.

Sixty-four of New York's best young comedians will be randomly pitted against one another in a series of one-on-one competitions. The first round of "Carolines Comedy Madness" will take place on March 1 when all of the 64 competitors will each perform one minute of stand-up. 32 comedians will advance to the second round on March 8 where each will perform two minutes of stand-up. The third round, taking place on March 15, will feature the "Sweet Sixteen," and fourth round on March 22 will feature the "Elite Eight," who will each perform three minutes of stand-up, with the "Final Four" advancing into the fifth and final round. The "Final Four" comedians will square off on March 29, with each performing seven minutes of stand-up. The last two advancing comedians will then square off with each perform ten minutes of stand-up, with the eventual winner being crowned.

Past winners of the competition are Julian McCullough (2007), Reese Waters (2008), Myq Kaplan (2009), Nate Bargatze (2010), Dan Soder (2011), Adam Newman (2012), Mark Normand (2013), Gary Vider (2014), and Anthony DeVito (2015).

"We're excited to bring back this great event for a sixth consecutive year, and are confident that it will continue to generate the same kind of thrills and cheers on the comedy stage as the men's college basketball tournament does on the basketball court," said Louis Faranda, talent producer for Carolines on Broadway and the New York Comedy Festival and the creator of "Carolines Comedy Madness." "We're very happy to see that it has emerged as one of the city's most popular and successful comedy events."

The champion will receive a cash prize and will also get to perform with a headlining comedian on a weekend at Carolines on Broadway and will perform in the 2013 New York Comedy Festival.

Founded in 1982 by Caroline Hirsch, Carolines on Broadway is one of the country's most popular comedy venues and one of New York City's leading destinations for live entertainment. Carolines first opened as a cabaret in New York's Chelsea neighborhood before moving to the South Street Seaport and becoming home to A&E's award-winning series Carolines Comedy Hour. Now a cornerstone of the city's vibrant Times Square district, Carolines on Broadway continues to present comedy's biggest stars on the industry's most hallowed stage, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Carolines on Broadway founded and produces the annual New York Comedy Festival (NYCF), presented in association with Comedy Central.

For more information on Carolines on Broadway, visit www.carolines.com, or call the Box Office at 212.757.4100. Like Carolines' Facebook Fan Page and follow Carolines on Twitter. For more information on the New York Comedy Festival visit www.nycomedyfestival.com. Like the NYCF Facebook Fan Page and follow the NYCF on Twitter.