Stand-up guys: Five comedians to perform on Long Island
Teacher-turned-comedian Mike Vecchione will perform at The Brokerage in Bellmore. Credit: Jon Asher
Stand-up comedy comes in many flavors — no two comedians are ever the same. Here are five jokesters aiming to have Long Islanders in stitches over the course of the week.
THE SAUCY AUSSIE
Jim Jefferies
AGE 39
STYLE No-holds-barred storytelling.
YOU KNOW HIM FROM Comedy special Netflix’s “Bare” and FX TV show “Legit”
Jefferies has gotten himself in hot water for his criticism of the right to bear arms — and for his comments about women. But this Aussie is undeterred.
“I never write a joke with the intent of offending anybody,” he deadpans. “If I do, it’s just a lucky coincidence.”
On this tour, Jefferies tackles religion, gun control, fatherhood and Donald Trump.
“I think my audience hopes to be challenged,” he says. “But I have a sneaking suspicion that they also want to be shocked.”
APPEARING 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 20, at The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
INFO $29.50-$69.50, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
THE QUIRKY DUDE
Greg Stone
AGE 34
STYLE Thought-provoking truth, with a twist.
YOU KNOW HIM FROM The “Rad Dudecast” podcast and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”
Stone makes his audience think by questioning things in his life. “I like to take people to the limit,” says Stone. “I go to some weird places.”
He covers everything from working in an emergency room to understanding the transgender community. He says, “I’m like the guy at the party where everybody’s like, ‘Who gave him a microphone?’ ”
APPEARING 8 p.m. Friday; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20-21, at McGuire’s Comedy Club, 1627 Smithtown Ave., Bohemia
INFO $17 (plus two item minimum), 631-467-5413, mcguires.govs.com
THE MUSCLE MAN
Mike Vecchione
AGE 43
STYLE Punch lines every seven seconds.
YOU KNOW HIM FROM “The Tonight Show” and “Last Comic Standing”
Take one look at Vecchione and you might think he’s the bouncer at the comedy club instead of the guy behind the mic. “I have a wannabe tough guy look,” he says. “I’m probably doing the wrong act for my appearance.”
The former special education teacher performs autobiographical jokes that are delivered in story form. “I make jokes about everything,” says Vecchione, “from eating Indian food to doing hot yoga.”
APPEARING 8 p.m. Friday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday, May 20-21, at The Brokerage Comedy Club, 2797 Merrick Rd., Bellmore
INFO $17 (plus two item minimum), 516-781-5233, brokerage.govs.com
THE BROOKLYN BAD BOY
Andrew Dice Clay
AGE 58
STYLE Raw and uncensored
YOU KNOW HIM FROM Comedy specials like HBO’s “The Diceman Cometh” and Showtime’s “Indestructible” — and he sells out more than 300 arenas around the country.
The Diceman is on a major roll. After scoring critical praise for his roles in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine” and Martin Scorsese’s HBO show “Vinyl,” he’s back on tour.
“People are nervous, angry and afraid these days,” he says. “They want to laugh because they need that release, and that’s what I like to give them.”
Despite how times have changed, Dice hasn’t, and he’s proud of it. “There are no holds on stage and there never was,” says Dice. “You want to be politically correct, that’s your problem.”
APPEARING 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, at The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
INFO $39.50-$99.50, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
THE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN
Ralphie May
AGE 44
STYLE Not PC, but delivered with charm.
YOU KNOW HIM FROM “Last Comic Standing” and comedy specials like Netflix’s “Unruly” and Comedy Central’s “Too Big to Ignore”
May puts on a big show that lasts about two hours. “I’m politically incorrect, socially controversial and racially insensitive,” he says. “But I’m bombastically funny.”
May recently received death threats for a bit he did on American Indians, but May says he’s misunderstood. “People think I’m hateful, but it’s just the opposite — I love people,” says May. “We are fingers on the same hand. We may not look alike, but we are all needed.”
APPEARING 8 p.m. May 26; 8 and 10:30 p.m. May 27, Governor’s Comedy Club, 90 Division Ave., Levittown
INFO $32 (plus two-item minimum), 516-731-3358, govs.com
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
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