The Best Comedy Shows in Metro Phoenix During Spring 2016

If you’re looking to laugh sometime in the next few months, we’ve got good news for you. There’s a ridiculous amount of comedy coming through the Valley in the next few months. Which is why we created a list of the 20 best for you (in chronological order).

Cotter & Loquasto
February 4 to 6
Stand Up Scottsdale

Grant Cotter and Jonny Loquasto are plenty funny on their own, but that’s not the only reason you’ll want to be at Stand Up Scottsdale’s new (old) location the first weekend of February. It’ll be the first shows ever at the revamped venue, and that means a fresh start for a comedy club that’s seen varying levels of success in the past. Tickets cost $15 and are available through the Stand Up Scottsdale website. 

Jo Koy
February 11 to 14
Tempe Improv

You can’t go to a comedy club anywhere without seeing promotion for someone who was on Chelsea Lately. However, most of them were only on an episode or two, while Jo Koy made a legitimate name for himself by appearing on seemingly all of them. Aside from that, you’ve probably seen him on Comedy Central or one of the other handful of TV networks he’s popped up on. Tickets cost $25 ($50 for VIP) and are available through the Tempe Improv website. 

Adam Sandler
February 12
Comerica Theatre

Sure, some of Adam Sandler’s movies have been pretty questionable as of late, but he’s still one of the greatest comedic voices in recent history. Although he’s not known for his stand-up these days, he’ll be at Comerica with David Spade, Rob Schneider, and Tim Meadows. So we’re guessing it’ll probably still be one of the funnier shows you see this year. Tickets start at $52.50 and are available through Live Nation. 

Steve Rannazzisi
February 12 to 14
Stand Up Live 

Now that The League is over, Steve Rannazzisi is finally free to step out from his starring role as Kevin MacArthur and into his own shoes in the comedy world. He’s also one of the only people on this list performing on Valentine’s Day, so we’re sure it’ll be a suitable option regardless of whether you have a date. Tickets cost $22 and are available through the Stand Up Live website. 

Frank Caliendo
February 13
Talking Stick Resort

If you’ve somehow missed seeing Frank Caliendo on TV up to this point (which means you’ve probably never watched an NFL game in your life), he’s a guy who does impressions of everyone from George W. Bush to John Madden. If you’re into impersonations, he’s probably the best thing this side of Jay Pharoah. Tickets start at $55 and are available through Ticketmaster. 

Andrew Dice Clay
February 19 to 20
Laugh Factory

Before your favorite comedian was pissing people off and getting mildly famous off of it, Andrew Dice Clay had already perfected the art form. It’s too bad his heyday didn’t line up with social media, because he likely would’ve been in a different (amazing) feud every week. Plus, you know he’s got some extra bro points for his time spent on Entourage. Tickets start at $29 and are available through the Laugh Factory website. 

DeRay Davis
February 19 to 21
Stand Up Live

Among comedians, DeRay Davis is as busy as it gets. The dude does movies (21 Jump Street, Semi-Pro, etc.), TV shows (The Boondocks, Empire, etc.), and he even did the skits on the first two Kanye albums. Despite all of that, he still finds time to show off his stand up regularly, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t go see him. Tickets cost $25 ($35 for VIP) and are available through the Stand Up Live website. 

Iliza Schlesinger
February 25 to 27
Tempe Improv

For our $9 per month, Iliza Schlesinger has two of the best hours of comedy on Netflix. No one captures the hilarity of dating, going out, or simply existing in your 20s (and 30s) quite like Schlesinger, which makes her comedy relatable to just about everyone. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet the real star of the show — her dog, Blanche. Tickets cost $22 and are available through the Tempe Improv website. 

Harland Williams
February 25 to 28
House of Comedy

We can say with pretty good certainty that you’ve seen Harland Williams. Unless you hate funny movies, you’ve probably seen something he’s been in. From Dumb & Dumber to There’s Something About Mary to Half Baked, Williams’ resume reads like a list of the funniest movies from the last couple decades. The good news is, his stand-up is more or less just as hilarious. Tickets cost $30 and are available through the House of Comedy website. 

Tom Segura
February 26 to 27
Stand Up Live

Some comedians take ridiculous (often fabricated) experiences and turn them into wonderful jokes and stories. That’s not what Tom Segura does. Segura’s craft is taking things from his everyday life and making them just as hysterical as the outlandish tales of others. If you don’t believe us, check out his Netflix special. Or just go see him in real life. Tickets cost $22 and are available through the Stand Up Live website. 

Gary Gulman
February 26 to 27
Stand Up Scottsdale

Everyone has that one comedian who really got them into comedy. For us, that was Gary Gulman when he was on Last Comic Standing. His comedy ranges from the silly and ridiculous to the most mundane and relatable topics, but it’s all done with a strong delivery and personable finesse. By this time, Stand Up Scottsdale will probably be running a little smoother after being open at the new location for a month. Tickets cost $15 and are available through the Stand Up Scottsdale website. 

Dave Attell
March 4 to 5
Stand Up Live

When you were younger, Dave Attell was probably the one comedian (along with the late George Carlin, most likely) your parents didn’t want you watching. Actually, that’s probably still true to this day, but now you have the money and ability to go see him live whether they want you to or not. Just know, it’s probably not the best idea to go if you’re easily offended. Tickets cost $30 and are available through the Stand Up Live website. 

Bob Marley
March 10 to 13
Tempe Improv

As cool as it would be to see the other Bob Marley, you really can’t complain about seeing this one. He’s been on every major comedy stage and show, and his role in Boondock Saints (and bigger role in the sequel) was pretty much unforgettable. Tickets cost $20 and are available through the Tempe Improv website.

Nikki Glaser
March 18 to 19
Tempe Improv

Nikki Glaser is already one of the biggest up-and-coming names in comedy thanks to her run on Last Comic Standing and podcasts, but there’s a good chance she’s about to be much better known than ever before. For one thing, she seems to be a part of Amy Schumer’s regular rotation of comics (which isn’t a bad place to be these days), and she also has a sex talk show on Comedy Central set to debut this month. Tickets cost $20 and are available through the Tempe Improv website. 

Ari Shaffir
March 31 to April 2
Tempe Improv

All right, so you may only remember Ari Shaffir’s name because of the time he said some less-than-kind things about a female comedian, but — all verbal mistakes aside — he’s actually really funny. His comedy is raunchy, inappropriate, and all of the other things people love stand up for, and his friendship with Joe Rogan has undoubtedly given him enough stories to last a lifetime. Tickets cost $20 and are available through the Tempe Improv website. 

Dustin Ybarra
April 6 to 10
House of Comedy

Looking to see a solid (and slightly weird) comedy show without breaking the bank? Dustin Ybarra at House of Comedy is just the thing. Aside from his unruly hair and jokes, Ybarra’s fame is quickly growing both on the stage and the screen (he’s the guy who’s known for eating people on Gotham on top of his other roles). Tickets start at $13 and are available through the House of Comedy website. 

Kathleen Madigan
April 9
Talking Stick Resort
You can essentially count on one hand the number of big-name female comedians who have been relevant for over two decades, but you can’t make that list without Kathleen Madigan. She’s been on HBO, Comedy Central, and everything in between. She hosts a radio show. She won “Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic” 20 years ago. What more could you really ask for? Tickets start at $30 and are available through Ticketmaster. 

Clayton English
April 14 to 17
Tempe Improv

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know who Clayton English is now, because you probably will soon. He’s a young comic to watch, and a recent winner of Last Comic Standing with a promising future. You’ll probably want to see him this year rather than waiting for tickets to cost twice as much next year or in the future. Tickets cost $20 and are available through the Tempe Improv website. 

Deon Cole
April 22 to 24
Stand Up Live

Even beyond his hilarious role on Black-ish, Deon Cole has an incredibly bright outlook for 2016. He’ll be starring in a new show for TBS created by Steve Carrell (and Carrell’s wife, Nancy), he’s got a big part in Barbershop 3, and he shows no signs of slowing down in any of the rest of his career. In short, go see him before everyone knows who he is. Tickets cost $22 and are available through the Stand Up Live website. 

Wayne Brady
April 29 to 30
Tempe Improv

For the last two nights of Spring (April) 2016, Wayne Brady will be taking over the Tempe Improv. You already know who Wayne Brady is. You already know you like Wayne Brady. You already know you’re going to see Wayne Brady. Tickets cost $30 and are available through the Tempe Improv website.

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