![]() I knew it was gonna be a life changer.”īeyond its role as an inimitable, timeless comedic institution, the Cellar’s multi-generational talent love it mostly because it’s a comfortable place to be-or become-a comic, both on and off the stage. I went up and had a really good set but still thought, at least I got to perform at the Comedy Cellar.” When Adoram gave her the number to call with her availability, Schumer went out and “got blackout drunk for how excited I was. “I auditioned, and I thought Estee would be like, no, maybe in a couple of years. Schumer remembers the audition with precise detail. I wanna work there.” For Che, getting a spot on the Cellar’s lineup was more nerve-wracking than landing an SNL writing position and a late night TV show gig. “It would be him, Chris Rock and Colin Quinn at the Cellar table, talking shop and working on bits,” Che says. Up-and-comer Michael Che remembers seeing the place as a teenager, when the Cellar was featured in Comedian, Jerry Seinfeld’s 2002 documentary about coming back to stand-up comedy. All of the Cellar’s comics have tales of their first encounters with the place. “It was just like this holy grail,” she says. ![]() It’s one of those places she feels as if she’s always known about, a young comic’s Disneyland, Narnia and Hogwarts all wrapped up into one small, dusty basement. Schumer can’t remember when she first heard about the Cellar. When Schumer wants to practice, she comes home. She’s testing out new material, glancing over at a notebook she brought with her and running a finger along its open page as she feels her way into each new bit. She’s in a loose striped shirt, her hair pulled back into a pony tail, and with a sunny smile on her face, Schumer opens her set by musing out loud about penises. Halfway through the two-hour show, 32-year-old comedian Amy Schumer steps onto the stage. This is its life story according to the people who know it best. To understand what makes the Cellar legendary yet gimmick-free, you have to go to the source. and Chris Rock make drop-in appearances more than ever. Yet the lines outside are more packed, spots on the lineup are more competitive, and former regulars turned big-timers like Louis C.K. Same food, same painted green hallways, same black and white sign out front framed by glowing yellow light bulbs. Little about the legendary stand-up comedy club and New York entertainment staple has changed since its opening 31 years ago. Once the Cellar pulls in a comic, a customer, a booker or a bartender, it’s hard for any one to say goodbye for long. A night like this is a night off for the people tending bar and slinging cocktails and hummus appetizers in the Cellar’s cramped quarters. Host Ardie Fuqua jumps onstage to welcome the tourists and locals to the Cellar’s first show of the evening, and servers in black descend on the crowd to take the first round of drink orders. ![]() Welcome to the Comedy Cellar, the best damn comedy room in New York City,” spouts a recorded voice with bravado. A single bright light shines over the skinny, carpeted stage and onto the sign above it, bouncing off pieces of blue, orange, green and red stained glass that form the words “The Comedy Cellar.” The volume of chatter doesn’t come close to Friday or Saturday night levels, but it’s still loud-couples chat as they set their shopping bags next to their feet and a group of friends argue about the merits of R.E.M and Led Zeppelin. The heat is cranked-up, and Frank Sinatra tracks blanket the room as people trickle in from the chill outside, peeling off their sweaters and coats. Look for tickets on Groupon but we didn't.On this particular wintry Sunday night, the Comedy Cellar feels more like the cozy scene of a Christmas card than a club. I would definitely go again and the price wasn't too expensive. One of the comics were from the show, "That's so Raven" and our grown Grandsons recognized him immediately (Rondell Sheridan), but I had never seen the show so I didn't. I think they should update their preshow videos. Then there was a comedy routine video that must have been from the silent movie days which was so stupid. I found the video about people barfing to be very disgusting and it almost made me barf. Before the show starts, there is a video on the monitors of mostly old "World's Funniest videos" that probably couldn't be shown on TV. Its in the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino so you will probably need to take a taxi/Uber or Lyft to get there if you don't have a car. ![]() Third, there is no drink minimum which is a good thing for non drinkers. Secondly, don't pick your seats in the front row because you will need to have a good sense of humor and very thick skin. First off, I would not recommend for children.
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