Top Comedy Spots in Rhode Island

Saturday, October 22, 2011

GoLocalProv Features Team

laugh

Laugh it up: top comedy from one end of the state to the other

If you weren't occupying something this week, you still could no doubt use a laugh. We've rounded up the best spots in Rhode Island for comedy and laughter.

The Comedy Capital

It's the beating heart of the RI comedy scene, and this club hosts five solid days of laugh-ins, from noon to 1am (except for Sunday, when everyone can get back from church and get to the club by 3pm). The national talents who come through keep the scene unpredictable: April Mace from Last Comic standing will take the mic on Oct 28/29, and Arnez J from Comedy Central is on deck for November 10. Don't miss their Stand-Up Comedy Class on Wednesday nights, taught by Brian Beaudoin and Derek Furtado. Special upcoming events include a Halloween party on October 30 and The Warm-Up Guy on November 4. For information, registration, and everything related, go here. 39 Warren Ave, East Providence, 438-8383.

Make It Up

Improv Jones plays the best, most consistent improv in the region, and you can find them on stage at Perishable Theatre every Thursday and Saturday night at 10pm. The shows vary with the format, several of which the group has created themselves, including Arbor Day, where they collect a list of made-up scene titles from the audience and perform them in rapid succession. Improv Jones also offers classes (and holds auditions from time to time). Go to their Web site for dates and times for Intro to Improv classes with funny-people Casey Seymour Kim and Mauro Hantman.

Traveling Laughs

comedy improv jones

Make it up as we go along: Improv Jones

These guys bring the comedy to you (or to your favorite banquet hall), and who doesn't love the idea of tucking in at Chelo's in Warwick to a full dinner and the work of 6 comedians? Or dinner at the Asia Grille at the Lincoln Mall with a full night of comedy (November 19)? Go to the John Perrotta's Comedy Factory's Web page to see where they're popping up shows featuring local talents. There's also the option to book a bachelor/ette party, anniversary, fundraiser, or company party. Call 461-7896.

Brush with Greatness

Another great comedy club, Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club at Twin River in Lincoln, has a great competition going: 10 comics compete each week to win one of two spots hosting for famed comedian Gilbert Gottfried, who's coming to the club on Friday, December 9. Week 7's competition is on October 27 (go here for who's competing that night), and then the finals are scheduled for November 3. 100 Twin River Rd, Lincoln, 475-8520.

Classic Laughs

Fans of the late, great Zero Mostel (and of the still-kicking Nathan Lane) know that A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum puts the omega into zany. It's a classic Broadway musical comedy, with music and lyrics by the great Stephen Sondheim and it's running through November 24th in Westerly at the Granite Theater. These are laughs for the whole family. (And the origin of the song, "Comedy Tonight.") For more information and tickets, go here.

Pop-Up Humor

What better use for the Showcase Warwick Theaters than a pop-up comedy club? Meet the Comedy Zone, the weekend club that hosts up and comers like Mike Siscoe and Brad Todd thsi weekend. For more information, go here.

Jump In

Feeling brave? Bring Your Own Improv emphasizes that the audience participation is voluntary, but if you're up for it, you'll be able to get right up on stage with this family-friendly show that happens every Sunday at 6pm at the Warwick Museum of Art. All-adult? Check out BYOI at Perishable Theatre on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month at 11pm.

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