Todd Barry
The Bell House, 149 7th St., nr. Second Ave., Gowanus, 718-643-6510; 5/13 at 7:30 and 10 p.m.
It could be your last chance to see Barry’s totally improvised set, where the subject matter depends on the audience—i.e., you. Do you have what it takes? (If not, we suggest you lie.) If you can’t catch it this time you can always purchase the concert video, directed by Lance Bangs and available to download on Louis C.K.’s site.
Updown Showdown
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, at 95th St., 212-864-5400; 5/13 at 8 p.m.
Comedians go head-to-head on the most important topics of our times, with this installment focusing on “Going Out vs. Staying In.” On the lineup: Michael Ian Black, Jon Ronson (author of The Men Who Stare at Goats), Maeve Higgins, Bridey Elliott, Joe Randazzo, and Bob Powers. Hosted by Matthew Love.
Eddie Izzard
The Beacon Theater; 2124 Broadway, nr. 74th St., 212-465-6500; 5/13–5/15 and 5/17–5/18 at 8 p.m.
In his Force Majeure tour, the multifaceted Izzard aims to hit 25 countries on five continents, breaking a world record while performing in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic (three of which he learned for this excursion). In every language you can be sure he’s really, really funny. He does five nights at the Beacon.
Pretty Good Friends With Eugene Mirman and Daniel Kitson
Brooklyn Masonic Temple; 317 Clermont Ave., at Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn, 718-638-1256; 5/16 at 8 p.m.
Brooklyn’s own Mirman has made his name beyond our borders with his work on Flight of the Conchords, Bob’s Burgers, and his eponymous festival, which has expanded to both Seattle and Boston. Still new to us, though, is the delightfully British Kitson, hitting our ‘hood in the last show of his first-ever U.S. tour. Let’s welcome him, shall we? With special guest Jon Benjamin.
Comedy Notebook
Housing Works Bookstore Café; 126 Crosby St., nr. Houston St., 212-334-3324; 5/20 at 7 p.m.
See how the sausage—or, um, jokes—get made in this free show, where comedians try out new material. Hosted by Rob Paravonian, with Brian Tucker, Liam McEneaney, Ashok and Hari Kondabolu, and SNL’s Colin Jost.