HA! THE MUSICAL Goes Behind the Scenes of the Comedy World at Stage 72, Now thru 8/7

A musical about comedy featuring a cast of today's funniest comedians singing & dancing like never before, HA! The Musical, a hilarious behind the scenes look at the world of standup comedy and life as a comic, will premiere in NYC next month at Stage 72 (158 West 72nd Street) with performances from today, August 2, through August 7.

With direction from Broadway's Darren Katz (currently Resident Director of The Lion King), the cast of this unique new musical is comprised of accomplished comedians from stage and screen; Christian Finnegan (Chappelle's Show, VH1's Best Week Ever), Kevin Farley (Curb Your Enthusiasm, MTV's 2Gether, brother of the late Chris Farley), Jay Oakerson (IFC's Z Rock, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, BET's Comic View), Bill Dawes (Lombardi & Bronx Bombers on Broadway), Casey Balsham (Gotham Live) & Shawn Pearlman (Comedy Bang Bang).

Created and featuring a book by Emmy Award-Winning producer & writer Michelle Wendt and original music by Julian Velard, HA! The Musical is a radical musical-comedy-hybrid exploring the good, the bad, the ugly, and the funny of standup comedians. Showcasing a range of personalities and comedic archetypes, HA! guides us through the world of a stand up performance, behind the curtain, and beyond the spotlight into the subconscious id of what makes these twisted, tortured, brilliant minds tick.

Combining endearing and entertaining group and solo numbers alongside laugh-out-loud sets of standup, in the end, HA! The Musical takes the audience down the rabbit hole into the depths of the comedy universe and attempts to answer that age-old question: What is funny?

HA! The Musical is produced by Eileen Cope/NYLA Entertainment, with Eva Price as General Manager and musical direction from Julie McBride.

HA! The Musical will run from August 2-August 7 at Stage 72 (158 West 72nd Street): Saturday, 8/2 at 8pm; Sunday, 8/3 at 7pm; Tuesday 8/5 at 7pm; Wednesday, 8/6 at 3pm & 7pm; and Thursday, 8/7 at 9pm. Tickets are $20 plus a two-drink minimum and can be purchased online at www.HATheMusical.com or by phone at or by phone at 800-838-3006.