HA! The Musical Set for New York Comedy Festival Next Month

After a sold-out summer run this past August, "HA!" The Musical, a hilarious behind the scenes look at the world of standup comedy, will return to STAGE 72 (158 West 72nd Street) as an official selection of the upcoming New York Comedy Festival in November.

With performances on November 5 & 8 at 9:30pm and November 9 at 7:30pm, the cast of this unique musical features accomplished comedians from stage and screen; Christian Finnegan (Chappelle's Show, VH1's Best Week Ever), Kevin Farley (Curb Your Enthusiasm, MTV's 2Gether, brother of the late Chris Farley), Jay Oakerson (IFC's Z Rock, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, BET's Comic View), Bill Dawes (Lombardi & Bronx Bombers on Broadway) & Casey Balsham (Gotham Live) who will be joined by Shawn Pearlman, Gibran Saleem, Alyse Kenny, Charles McBee, Paul Schissler and Luis J. Gomez.

Created, directed and featuring a book by Emmy Award-Winning producer & writer Michelle Wendt and original music by Julian Velard, "HA!" The Musical is a musical-comedy-hybrid exploring the good, the bad, the ugly, and well...the funny of standup comedians! Exploring the menagerie of personalities and comedic archetypes, HA! The Musical guides us through the world of stand up and goes behind the curtain and beyond the spotlight into the subconscious id of what makes these eccentric, off-center, and at times even tortured & brilliant minds tick.

Take the journey with us to find out...what exactly IS funny anyway?

Combining endearing and entertaining group and solo numbers alongside laugh-out-loud sets of standup, "HA!" The Musical is produced by Eileen Cope/NYLA Entertainment in association with Rick Newman & Peter Martin, with Musical Direction by Jonathan Ivie. Rick Newman is the legendary comedy producer and founder of the Catch A Rising Star comedy club chains which launched the careers of many of today's most successful comics including Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Jon Stewart, and Jerry Seinfeld.

The 2014 New York Comedy Festival runs from November 5-9. For more information visit the festival website, www.nycomedyfestival.com.

"HA!" The Musical is an official selection of the New York Comedy Festival with performances on November 5 & 8 at 9:30pm and November 9 at 7:30pm at STAGE 72 (158 West 72nd Street). Tickets are $25 plus a two-drink minimum and can be purchased online at www.HATheMusical.com or by phone at or by phone at 800-838-3006.