"Best" is a relative idea, much like what you think is funny. That's why each month we recommend various comedy events -- some that are sketch, some improv, some standup and some a little of everything -- and deem them the best. If you're in search of a laugh or willing to take a risk on humor, read on.
What a well-oiled machine St. Louis comedy has become. If every event taking place on Saturday, March 21, sells out, roughly 3,500 individuals will be attending a comedy show in St. Louis on a single night. This month welcomes the DIY with the P-R-O; the Pageant alone has Chris Hardwick, Demetri Martin and two shows from John Mulaney.
On the alt side, a nationally touring amateur standup competition is taking place at Foam, the Duck Room and the Firebird. And we've got to tip our hats to Art Bar for making the #RoadKillComedy Tour possible.
STL SketchPAD Tuesday, March 3, at Satori Theater 8 p.m. | $5 | All Ages
In the name of teamwork, STL SketchPAD has assembled a rotating squad of St. Louis' most enthusiastic and talented writers under the roof of the Satori Theater. If you're not familiar with comedy terminology, a "sketch" is a series of short scenes. The form was famously brought to households on TV shows such as Saturday Night Live, The Chappelle Show and Portlandia. SketchPAD differs in that the scenes will be brought to life right before your eyes, as opposed to with a seven-second delay.
The fourth installment, "For the Funk of It," features producer Jason Flamm and writers Joshua Evans and Christopher Melton of The Catalogue Podcast.
Ben Kronberg Wednesday, March 11, in the Elvis Room 8 p.m. | $8 | All Ages
After returning home to Brooklyn from the Very Much Comedy Tour with Nick Thune and Kate Berlant, Ben Kronberg is headed back to the Midwest for a single date in St. Louis. Kronberg has been a busy boy in the past year, clocking hundreds of miles on the road and even landing himself on Last Comic Standing. (If you're a fan of the show, you may recognize him as the guy Roseanne Barr dismissed from the stage by stating, "Go fuck yourself.")
A true multimedia adventurer, Kronberg has been known to sneak a catchy tune into his act. In between his one-liners and clever observations, he'll make use of a guitar, keyboard and even his iPhone. His Half Hour special aired on Comedy Central in 2013, and his appearances on @Midnight have never been less than absurdly amusing.
Bare Knuckle Comedy "Premiere Show" Wednesday, March 18, at Melt 8 p.m. | No Cover | All Ages
Imagine sitting around a living room, competing with your friends over which funny video to cue up next, and that's "Premiere Show" to a tee.
St. Louis' best-known alt-comedy show, Bare Knuckle Comedy, is hosting a night of cinematic feats in utter mockery of the Oscars. A red carpet is unlikely, but tuxedo T-shirts are practically guaranteed. The night will showcase comedic shorts produced by the heaviest hitters in the comedy game. The city's favorite (and only) late-night talk show, STL Up Late, is contributing, as is Parody Patrol, the masterminds behind the one of the few #UpForWhatever ads worth watching.
Comedy in the Lou, the Catalogue Podcast and a number of others will make appearances as well. Continue to page two.
