A. ABSOLUTE COMEDY
Now that the Laugh Resort has closed up shop, this cozy, uptown club is the only full-time stand-up alternative to Yuk Yuk’s. You can’t go wrong with headliners like Nile Seguin, Fraser Young and Debra DiGiovanni. 2335 Yonge. 416-486-7700.
B. BAD DOG THEATRE
If improv’s your thing, you’ll love this shaggy but comfy spot on the Danforth where the house troupe, guests or students improvise to games, genres and even popular movie and TV shows. 138 Danforth. 416-491-3115.
C. COMEDY BAR
Bloor West is a whole lot funnier now that this club has arrived. Here you’ll find sketch (it’s the home of the Sketchersons), improv, comic plays and big names like Todd Barry packing ’em in. 945 Bloor West. comedybar.ca.
D. DRAMA
Think comics can’t act all serious? Jim Carrey, Melody Johnston, Patrick McKenna, Teresa Pavlinek, Shaun Majumder and others have proved you wrong.
E. EDGY
Also known as “alternative,” signifying comics who are trying to push the envelope. Hence, no airplane food jokes. Check out the Boom Show (boomcomedy.com) at Supermarket or the Sunday night Laugh Sabbath show at the Rivoli (laughsabbath.com).
F. FREE
That’s what many comics perform for – either that or a beer ticket. But it’s also the cost of many shows, like Second City’s post-show improv set or (almost as good) pay-what-you-can doors at the ALTdot, SketchComedy Lounge and many open mics.
G. GREAT CANADIAN LAUGH OFF
Every spring, Yuk Yuk’s and the Comedy Network team up to hand out $25,000 to a stand-up comic. Buys a lot of beer, eh?yukyukslaughoff.com.
H. HUMBER SCHOOL OF COMEDY
Can you teach people to be funny? Probably not. But an awful lot of comics (some pretty decent) have come out of here.
I. IMPROV
Or, funny stuff that people make up on the spot. Happens regularly at Bad Dog, Second City or the National Theatre of the World’s shows The Carnegie Hall Show and Impromptu Splendor.
J. JO-ANNA DOWNEY
Known as Mama, the hostess with the mostest runs two of the best (and most competitive) rooms in the city, Spirits and Standing On The Danforth.
K. KILL
This is what you want to see a comic do. It’s a metaphor.
L. LORNE PERLMUTAR
The genial owner of Diamondfield, one of the largest talent agencies in the city, and producer of shows like the Raising The Roof comedy benefit. His brother, Perry, is also a top-notch comic.
M. MARK BRESLIN
The owner of Yuk Yuk’s, the biggest comedy chain in the country, is the most feared and respected man in town. Don’t piss him off.
N. NUBIAN DISCIPLES OF PRYOR
Kenny Robinson’s monthly showcase (mostly black comics) is the Manhattan of rooms. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.
O. OPEN MICS
The place where newcomers dream of quitting their day jobs and pros test out new material. Try Spirits, Corktown Comedy, Comedy At The Ossington and amateur nights at Yuk’s and Absolute Comedy.
P. PARTICIPATE
What you will be asked to do at an improv show, or if you’re brave enough to sit in the front row at a comedy club.
Q. QUEER
Openly queer comics have made great gains in the past few years, thanks in part to Maggie Cassella’s We’re Funny That Way Festival and Buddies’ annual Homo Night In Canada showcase. Finally, it’s becoming rare to hear white male comics say the F-word, unless they’re gay themselves.
R. RIVOLI
The back room is home of the legendary weekly shows the ALTdotCOMEDY Lounge and SketchComedy Lounge, and the place where the Kids in the Hall got their start. 332 Queen W. 416-596-1908.
S. SECOND CITY
Sketch comedy institution with too many famous alumni to name. Look at the photos lining the hallways and you’ll understand. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011.
T. TIM SIMS ENCOURAGEMENT FUND AWARD
A great boost to young talent, named after the late great Second City performer. Previous winners include This Hour Has 22 Minutes’ Gavin Crawford and Important Things With Demetri Martin writer Levi MacDougall.
U. UNITED STATES
Alas, where many of our most talented comics end up going. Still.
V. VIRAL
This is what you want your YouTube comedy video to go.
W. WOMEN
No longer a rarity thanks to groundbreakers like Elvira Kurt, Judy Croon, Sandra Shamas, Jo-Anna Downey and Jessica Holmes.
X. X-RATED
The kind of act that the company’s not gonna hire to talk at their AGM. Some of the bluest acts include Mike Wilmot and Jason Rouse, both of whom visit T.O. regularly.
Y. YUK YUK’S
Still the first name in stand-up comedy, at the downtown club, those in the burbs and throughout the country. Mark Breslin has a great eye and ear for new acts most nights you’ll see him in his regular booth. 224 Richmond West and others. 416-967-6425, yukyuks.com.
Z. ZZZ.
What comics do not want you to do at their shows.
glenns@nowtoronto.com
