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11 must-see comedy shows hitting Boston in fall 2024
Sweata weatha in Greater Boston brings with it some comedy superstars.
In Boston, things are funny this fall. If you don’t believe it, just take a look at the explosion of comedy talent making the rounds here: We’ve got stand-up superstars, sitcom legends, social media standouts, and a couple of genuine local treasures. Plus at least one puppet!
So grab your favorite sweater, pour a pumpkin spice latte, and use the below to plan your fall comedy calendar.
(Note: All prices listed are face value; some shows may have only verified resale tickets available.)
Tituss Burgess at City Winery
There was a lot to love about Netflix’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” easily the best kidnapping survivor sitcom of 2015. But maybe the best thing about it was Tituss Burgess as Titus Andromedon, the hilariously self-centered would-be Broadway musical superstar who was the perfect counterpoint to Ellie Kemper’s clueless but compassionate Kimmy. He’s quite the tenor, so if you see him at City Winery, be forewarned: In addition to the laughs, there’s bound to be belting. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m., City Winery Boston, 80 Beverly St., Boston, $45-$65
Hannah Gadsby at Emerson Colonial Theatre
Hannah Gadsby’s 2018 Netflix special “Nanette” was the sneakiest comedy gut punch in years. It was hilarious, yes — Gadsby expertly mined the humor inherent to navigating lesbian life in an often unforgiving Australian culture — but the sly way the special addresses the trauma that can go along with it was as gripping as it was moving. (And Hannah even gets some laughs out of that, too.) Expect more of the same at Gadsby’s highly anticipated Emerson Colonial stop. Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., $39-$144
Wanda Sykes at The Wilbur
We’ll miss a lot of things about “Curb Your Enthusiasm” now that it’s finally wrapped up its long on-and-off run on HBO, but one of our favorites has got to be the hapless Larry’s interactions with the sharp-tongued Sykes, who always managed to be nearby when he stumbled into a racially charged moment. Fortunately, Wanda is still everywhere, mounting an impressive guest hosting stint on “The Daily Show” last year and popping up in TV shows from “Blackish” to “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” (And yes, that was her voice as Phee Genoa in “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.”) Saturday, Sept. 21, and Sunday, Sept. 22, 8 p.m., The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston, $36.75-$61.75
Sebastian Maniscalco at TD Garden
Maniscalco broke into the public consciousness in 2012 with his now-legendary “doorbell” bit, wherein he recalled the days when unexpected company was so welcome it had its own reserved store-bought cake, and expertly contrasted it with our current state of stranger-danger paranoia. (“Army crawl! Get in the closet!”) He’s since done too many painfully relatable routines to count, on everything from online reviews to being completely flummoxed by “Hamilton.” Who knows what topics will be on the table at the Garden, but odds are he’ll be crawling and gesticulating his way into your heart. Friday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, $59-$307
Festival of Laughs at Wang Theatre
What’s better than a great comedian? A whole bunch of great comedians. (Trust us, the math works.) That’s what you’ll get from the Festival of Laughs, starring Sommore (the “Queen of Comedy” who strutted her stuff in last year’s stellar Netflix special “Queen Chandelier”) and featuring Lavell Crawford (Huell Babineaux on “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul”), Tony Roberts (not the one from “Annie Hall,” the one from BET’s “Comic View”), and Tony Rock (“Think Like A Man”). Friday, Oct. 11, 8 p.m., Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston, $59-$129
Tracy Morgan at The Wilbur
As anyone who’s watched him on “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” knows, Tracy Morgan had a skewed worldview even before he was almost killed by a Walmart truck. Now, he’s positively unhinged — but in a good way. Since his series “The Last O.G.” ended in 2021, he’s been doing a lot of cartoon voices — you can hear him in “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Bubble Guppies,” and “Squidbillies,” if you’re so inclined — so you can count on him relishing a chance to let loose with some decidedly adult humor when he hits the Wilbur. Saturday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m., The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston, $69
Sheng Wang at The Wilbur
If you watched “Fresh Off the Boat,” you’re already familiar with Sheng Wang, even if you didn’t know it: The Taiwanese American comic was a writer for the ABC series from 2015-2018. But he’s probably better known for “Sweet & Juicy,” the Ali Wong-directed Netflix special that drew praise from The New York Times for “the happy chill of stoner musings contrasting with the rigor of precise observational comedy.” You had us at “happy chill.” Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston, $32.50-$42.50
Jenny Slate at The Wilbur
Massachusetts native Jenny Slate specializes in comedy with an off-kilter sweetness, as evidenced by both her stand-up and her fanciful creations like “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.” Maybe that’s why she’s so hilariously endearing even when playing characters like “klepto, nympho, and pyro” Mona-Lisa Saperstein on “Parks and Recreation.” (She was even lovable as Dr. Dora Skirth in “Venom,” somehow.) For this appearance, she’ll be reading from her second memoir, “Lifeform,” and engaging in conversation with the audience. Side note: Chris Evans should have never broken up with her and we’re sure he regrets it. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston, $65-$75
Natasha Leggero at Laugh Boston
If her name sounds familiar, it could be because Natasha Leggero is, well, everywhere: She’s a staple on reality TV shows like “Stars on Mars” and “Fast Foodies,” has plied her craft on game shows like “Comedy Knockout” and “The Great American Joke Off,” and she’s roasted everyone from James Franco to Justin Bieber. More importantly, her faux-upper class on-stage persona, complete with cocktail dresses and white gloves, is aristocratically hilarious. Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m., Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St., Boston, $33
Liam Cullagh at Laugh Boston
The Bay State’s own Liam Cullagh must be expecting the hometown crowd to turn out in force this November: He’s scheduled for five shows over three days at Laugh Boston, where he’ll no doubt showcase the sarcastic skewerings of pop culture that have garnered millions of views for his Almost Friday TV YouTube channel. Also you just can’t beat comedy with a Boston accent (even a slight one). Thursday, Nov 14, 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15, 7 and 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, 7 and 10 p.m., Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St., Boston, $33
@liam_cullagh ♬ original sound – LiamCullagh
Steve Hofstetter at City Winery
If you used to follow Steve Hofstetter on Twitter back before it became the vicious hellscape known as X, or you currently keep track of him on Threads, you know he has some Strong Feelings about Donald Trump. He also doesn’t hesitate to share them from the stage, to hilarious results. His humor isn’t all left-leaning political material, but some of his best stuff certainly is — so if you’re currently wearing a red hat you should probably skip, but otherwise make your way to the Winery. Sunday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., City Winery Boston, 80 Beverly St., Boston, $25-$100
Also of note:
- Muppet-esque stand-up puppet Randy Feltface, Sept. 14, The Wilbur
- The ever-frustrated Lewis Black, Sept. 28-29, The Wilbur
- Improv impresario Ben Schwartz & Friends, Oct. 13, Chevalier Theatre, Medford
- Underrated “SNL” vet and Michael Scott’s Chili’s guest Tim Meadows, Oct. 12-14, Laugh Boston
- “Jerry Maguire” villain Jay Mohr, Oct. 21-22, Laugh Boston
- Denis Leary hosts Comics Come Home, featuring Bill Burr, Lenny Clarke and others, to benefit the Cam Neely Foundation, Nov. 2, TD Garden
- The ever-goofy Brian Regan, Nov. 8, The Wilbur
- Little comedy giant Kevin Hart, Nov. 8-10, Wang Theatre
- Comedy vet (veteran, not veterinarian) Kathleen Madigan, Nov. 15-16, The Wilbur
- Wet Hot American Summer-er Michael Ian Black, Nov. 16, Off Cabot, Beverly
- “Hip Hop’s First Funnyman” TK Kirkland, Nov. 15, House of Blues (rescheduled from June at the Shubert)
- Unfiltered “Whitney” star Whitney Cummings, Nov. 22, The Wilbur
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