Variety Fuels Friday Comedy Night At Don't Tell Mama

One of this season's most exciting debuts in New York City's cabaret scene is Alex Simmons's weekly Friday night comedy series at Don't Tell Mama, where mainstream club acts and alt-comedians are finding an eager audience.

Don't Tell Mama Comedy features well-established club comics such as Paul Mecurio, Wali Collins, and Brian Scott McFadden, as well as up-and-coming talent like Katie Hannigan, Gianmarco Soresi, and Usama Siddiquee. Comics who perform at Don't Tell Mama Comedy have appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central and Netflix.

Simmons also hosts a number of comics who've been seen in NYC's alternative comedy venues, like The Upright Citizens Brigade, The People's Improv Theater and QED in Queens. Audiences for these shows are treated to more than simply stand-up routines, as the alt-scene includes storytelling, music, and other performative arts.

The alt-scene is where comics like Gabe Pacheco, Lucas Connolly, and Lauren Brickman cut their teeth. Some of these comics have backgrounds in improv and theater; some even play a tune or two on Don't Tell Mama's gorgeous grand piano. Comics with a musical bent include Sami Schwaeber, who sings parodies while playing piano, and the guitar comedy duo The Jasons. Soon piano players like Brendan O'Grady will serve as hosts.

"Many in our audience are tourists," Simmons comments. "I want to give them a snapshot of all the different kinds of comics working in New York City."

Since 1982, Don't Tell Mama has presented artists of all kinds who have gone on to the world stage and won multiple Emmys, Tony's, Grammys, Oscars, and even a Pulitzer Prize! Jim Gaffigan, Aziz Ansari, Joy Behar, Leah Delaria, Seth Rudetsky and Alec Mapa are all celebrated comics who have appeared regularly at Don't Tell Mama through the years.

Doors open at 9 PM, $20 cash cover at the door with a 2 beverage minimum. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online at donttellmamanyc.com or by calling 212-757-0788 after 4 PM.

March 15th Lineup 9:30PM

MC: Lauren Brickman (Upright Citizens Brigade)

Bethany Van Delft (Comedy Central, Just For Laughs)

Jen Lap (Comedywire)

Alex Babbitt (HBO, Netflix)

Samuel Morrison (Travel Channel)

March 22nd Lineup 9:30PM

Samantha Bednarz (New York Comedy Festival)

Ali Mehedi (Funny Immigrants Festival)

Ariel Elias (Jezebel, Well Behaved Podcast)

Sami Schwaeber (Vermont's Funniest)

March 29th Lineup 9:30PM

MC: Clayton Fletcher (Comedy Brew)

Troy Alan (Laughs on FOX, The Scrib)

Seth Bisen-Hersh (Seth’s Talent Show)

John Fugelsang (Just For Laughs, HBO, America’s Funniest Home Videos)

Kunal Arora (FOX, TruTV, NBC)