Middleditch & Schwartz
Get ready for an evening of wild-yet-intimate improv comedy with Jean Ralphio from Parks and Recreation and Richard Hendricks from Silicon Valleyâexcept they wonât be playing those characters because that was TV and this is real life. IRL, Ben Schwartz and Thomas Middleditch are maybe even funnier than their fictional counterparts! These two mumbly, bumbly comic geniuses share a hilarious history of playing off one another via longform improv and tender full-body spooning. (Sat Jan 18, 7 pm, Newmark Theatre, $49.50) SUZETTE SMITH
Broke Gravy & Friends: Holiday Hangover
Portland's own Chris Williams, Eric Simons, and Leon Anderson (AKA Broke Gravy) invite a few special guests down out to the Alberta Street Pub for a special holiday hangover show, with four storytellers taking the stage to share their worst hangover experiences, and Broke Gravy turning their pounding headaches and shame into improv gold. (Thurs Jan 2, 7 pm, Alberta Street Pub, $8-15)
Jon Dore
One of the best homes for humor in our city, Helium Comedy Club opened its doors a decade ago, and theyâre kicking off this anniversary year in the perfect way: with a run of shows headlined by stand up Jon Dore. The Ottawa-born comic is a brilliant tactician onstage, luring you in with a premise that quickly veers sideways or lands on an absurdistâand usually completely filthyânote. And his crowd work is some of the best in the business. Ask for a seat close to the stage. You probably wonât regret it. (Jan 3-5, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 7:30pm & 10 pm, Sun 7 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $25-33) ROBERT HAM
Jubal Fresh
The comedian, radio host, and television personality known for co-hosting the nationally syndicated radio show âBrooke & Jubal in the Morning" returns to the Aladdin for an all-ages Portland stop on the "Fresh Til Death" Tour. (Sat Jan 4, 8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $25-30, all ages)
Savages: A Prestige Stand-Up Showcase
Portland comedy scene staples Adam Pasi, Amanda Arnold, and Nariko Ott head up this brand-new comedy showcase every first Saturday at the Kickstand space. The line-up is a secret, but you can always count on some top local and national talent to swing through. (Sat Jan 4, 9 pm, Kickstand Comedy Space, $10)
Brad Sherwood
Helium invites you to spend an evening hearing quality stand-up from a former Whose Line is it Anyway? standout. (Jan 9-11, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $21-29)
Brian Regan
An evening of stand-up with renowned "comedian's comedian" Brian Regan, known for his observational, sarcastic, and self-deprecating style, his animated stage presence, and his ability to appeal to a broad range of age groups and audiences. (Fri Jan 10, 8 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $39.50-69.50)
Bruce McCulloch
The Canadian comedy legend and Kids in the Hall member makes a rare Portland appearance at the Alberta Rose Theatre when his latest show, Tales of Bravery and Stupidity, show swings through town. (Fri Jan 10, 7 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $25-38)
That's What She Said: Happy New Queers!
Kick-start the new year while laughing out loud to a lineup of hilarious queer feminist comedy with a futuristic theme, featuring performances from Brooks, Berlyn Lee, Oliver Warfield, Quinne Salameh, Samhita Reddy, Sarah B., Shannon Sales, and more. All proceeds from this event will benefit Wild Diversity. (Sat Jan 11, 7:30 pm, Siren Theater, $10)
The Jimmy Dore Show
The comedian and co-host of The Aggressive Progressives brings his political commentary-driven talk show to the Alberta Rose Theatre for a two-night stand. (Sat-Sun Jan 11-12, 7:30 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $25-35)
Girl Fest: Comedy Happy Hour
The 2020 installment of Girl Fest branches out into comedy via this happy hour showcase at the Hallowed Halls, featuring sets from Portland comedians Kate Murphy, Becky Braunstein, and more. (Sat Jan 11, 5 pm, The Hallowed Halls, $10, all ages)
Dating Pool: The Game Show
The first time I saw Dating Pool everyone in the audience was terrified (giddy) at the idea of certified intimacy educator Stella Harris yanking them onstage and potentially pairing them up with a stranger. Lucky for them, Harris and companyâwhich includes authoritative comedian and lifeguard Jenna Vesperâpick the bachlorexs and mystery sweethearts beforehand. So if youâre single, Dating Pool is a great crowd to pick up other sex-positive singles, while laughing your ass off. No one will make you go onstage. If youâre arenât single, watching a sexy, funny game show makes for a damn fine date. (Sat Jan 12, 8 pm, Doug Fir, $12-15) SUZETTE SMITH
Magpie Release Party
Andie Main is back home for the holidays... well, actually, she's back home to celebrate the release of her Blonde Medicine records debut album, Magpie, and she's bringing her friends Phil Schallberger, Nariko Ott, Dan Weber, and Christian Burke to lend their stand-up support to the night's festivities. (Wed Jan 15, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club)
Hello From The Magic Tavern
One of the funniest podcasts in existence, Hello from the Magic Tavern is the work of three phenomenal improv artists from Chicago, and follows regular guy Arnie Niekamp, who fell through a dimensional rift behind a Burger King, landed in the magical realm of Foon, and, naturally, started a podcast. Recording the show in the Vermillion Minotaur tavern, Arnieâs joined by co-hosts Chunt (Adal Rifai), a chill, shape-shifting badger, and Usidore (Matt Young), a pompous wizard on a very important quest. Arnie & Co. are joined by all kinds of weirdos from Foon, and the results are hilarious, unpredictable, and, occasionally, deeply disturbing. Oh shit! Since the Magic Tavern guys are in Portland to perform a live episode, Usidore might curse meâI just called him Usidore, but he insists on using his full name! So here goes: I meant to call him Usidore, Wizard of the 12th Realm of Ephysiyies, Master of Light and Shadow, Manipulator of Magical Delights, Devourer of Chaos, Champion of the Great Halls of Terrâakkas. The elves know him as Fiâang Yalok! The dwarves know him as Zoenen Hoogstandjes! And he is also known in the Northeast as GaismunÄas Meistar! (Wed Jan 15, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $30) ERIK HENRIKSEN
Greg Fitzsimmons
In a way, Greg Fitzsimmons is comedy the way it used to be, devoid of any elaborate conceit or overtly political shtick. Fitzsimmons is merely an average-looking, normal-talking funny dude whoâs probably been a regular on your television (for the 12 of you that still have television). And now heâs in town! (Jan 16-18, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $21-29) DIRK VANDERHART
Todd Barry, Katie Nguyen
Todd Barry doesn't even really need jokes, although he's got a ton of great ones. Give him a couple marks in the crowd, and just five minutes of conversation, and you have a night of comedy with more laughs per pound than any hyperactive loud mouth screaming into the mic. (Fri Jan 17, 9 pm, Aladdin Theater, $20-24) BOBBY ROBERTS
Kathleen Madigan
You don't get to be one of the best comedians in the country by just accidentally amassing an almost 30 year-long career, doing 250 nights on the road, and winning multiple awards for being the one of the funniest in the industry. Catch Madigan tonight when she brings the "8 O'Clock Happy Hour" tour through Portland. (Fri Jan 24, 7 pm, Newmark Theatre, $35)
Cody Ko & Noel Miller: Tiny Meat Gang Live
After selling out Revolution Hall last year, YouTube personalities Cody Ko and Noel Miller bring their wildly popular Tiny Meat Gang podcast to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall as part of the "Bigger and Better" Tour. (Fri Jan 31, 8 pm, Arlene Schnitzer concert Hall, $34.50-44.50)
Paula Poundstone
The beloved stand-up, author, and actress takes a break from her regular role on OPB's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! to make her annual pilgrimage to Portland. (Fri Jan 31, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $37.50-39)
