Jay Pharoah, Nick Kroll joining Amy Schumer, Aziz Ansari for Oddball festival at Jones Beach

Comedy has become the new rock and roll. Stand-ups are filling arenas as fast as bands these days and gaining massive followings via podcasts, Twitter and cable programming. On Friday, nine comics on the main stage, including Aziz Ansari and Rockville Centre-raised Amy Schumer, unite to form a Justice League of comedy at the Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater.

Here are four other acts you'll see on the bill:

JAY PHAROAH

On "Saturday Night Live," Pharoah is known for melting into his impressions of Denzel Washington, Kanye West and President Barack Obama. As a stand-up, he plays off current events, stories from growing up -- and does some celebrity caricatures.

"I'll take the best bits from my 90-minute set and tie those together so everything hits back-to-back," says Pharoah. "My goal is to wow the socks off the crowd."

Playing in an outside amphitheater has its challenges for Pharoah, who will focus on spacing out his jokes.

"It's going to take the people in the back longer to hear what I'm going to say," he says. "If I don't remember to pause, the screen is going to look like one of those poorly dubbed Kung Fu movies."

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"SNL" has given Pharoah some confidence and swagger, which is evident onstage.

"Being on the show allows you to come up with material quicker," he says. "You just pump it out."

JIM NORTON

As a member of the "Opie & Anthony" radio crew, Norton has tackled the Jones Beach crowd before, appearing with O&As Traveling Virus comedy show years ago.

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"Jones Beach is a bit of a different dynamic," says Norton. "But as long as people are there for the comedy, it doesn't matter how many there are."

Of all the comedians on the bill, Norton has the bluest material. He's not about to hold back now.

"My material is my material," says Norton. "I'm not going to soften it or make it less harsh for a big crowd."

On the other hand, Norton wants the audience to keep an open mind.

"I hope that people who would be likely to be offended by the material give it a chance," says Norton. "I just have to make sure it's funny."

NICK KROLL

You may know Kroll from his own comedy sketch program, Comedy Central's "Kroll Show," or perhaps the FXX series, "The League," but now he'll bring his stand-up to Jones Beach, where he remembers going to see Blues Traveler 20 years ago.

"Jones Beach was always the place you went to go see big, cool shows," says Kroll. "I'm going to bring the heat."

Kroll enjoys sharing the stage with his peers and sees the value in joining forces.

"Comedy today is a pretty communal experience," says Kroll. "We are doing each other's TV shows, movies, podcasts, radio shows and web series. Everybody wants to and needs to collaborate with one another."

Being on a bill filled with accomplished stand-ups is not intimidating for Kroll.

"It takes the pressure off," says Kroll. "If they don't like me, there are other comics who will be awesome."

MICHAEL CHE

Che is an Oddball veteran, having done the tour last year. The SNL "Weekend Update" co-anchor has some experience playing large, outdoor amphitheaters.

"Once you get used to it, you kind of get in a rhythm," says Che. "I'm lucky enough to not have a crazy, fast-rush delivery, so it benefits me. I can take my time and let the air in."

As chill as Che is, the size of the crowd gets him revved up to score some laughs.

"Your adrenaline is pumping in the best way possible," says Che. "With a stacked lineup, you don't want to be the guy with the bad set."

Che says he feels there's no competition among the comedians but rather a strong camaraderie.

"There's more opportunity and niche lanes for people with specific comedic tastes," says Che. "That's the great thing about this festival -- there's enough room for everybody."

WHEN | WHERE 5:15 p.m. Friday, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh

INFO 800-745-3000, livenation.com

ADMISSION $22-$125

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.