Comedy in NYC This Week

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Our guide to stand-up, improv and variety shows.

‘TODD BARRY’S 3 DECADES IN COMEDY BENEFIT’ at the Bell House (Nov. 1, 8 p.m.). The droll comedian Todd Barry made his stand-up debut on Nov. 1, 1987. To celebrate his 30th anniversary, he is gathering some heavy hitters from the comedy world, including Eugene Mirman, Janelle James, Colin Quinn and others, on the same stage. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Kidney Fund.
718-643-6510, thebellhouseny.com

OMID DJALILI at Caroline’s on Broadway (Nov. 2-5, 7:30 p.m.). The British comedian Omid Djalili casts a critical eye at religion, race and culture, including the kinds of roles his Iranian heritage has granted him: Though he has appeared in a number of films, from “Notting Hill” to “Sex and the City 2” and “The World Is Not Enough,” he often jokes that he appears in the James Bond film as the “second Azerbaijani oil pipe attendant.”
212-757-4100, carolines.com

‘HALLOWEEN ON BROADWAY’ at Caroline’s on Broadway (Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m.). Trick-or-treating is somewhat looked down upon after a certain age, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still join in the fun. Caroline’s is hosting a Halloween comedy event with music, costume prizes and comedians who may or may not also be in costume. Liza Treyger, Sean Donnelly, Janelle James and Jo Firestone are on the bill.
212-757-4100, carolines.com

‘JOKES FOR HAITI’ at Union Hall (Oct. 29, 8 p.m.). The comedian Tanael Joachim was so moved by the news of multiple hurricanes ravaging his native country of Haiti that he decided to do something about it. For this fund-raiser comedy event, he has rounded up the comedians Wil Sylvince, Aparna Nancherla and Liza Treyger to benefit Nova Hope for Haiti, a nonprofit that provides medical aid to the country.
718-638-4400, unionhallny.com

‘DEMETRI MARTIN: LET’S GET AWKWARD TOUR’ at Gramercy Theater (Oct. 27-28, 7 and 9:30 p.m.). Of all the successful comedians in business today, Demetri Martin has one of the most fascinating background stories when it comes to his journey to the stage. A Yale graduate who was awarded a full scholarship to New York University Law School, he abandoned the course of study before the start of his final year to pursue comedy instead. His stand-up sets burst with a level of wit that’s hard to see coming, offset by his even-tempered, dry delivery.
212-614-6932, venue.thegramercytheatre.com

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