New York Comedy Festival Announces 2012 Dates: 11/7-11

For the third consecutive year, the NYCF and COMEDY CENTRAL are partnering to present the very best new comedy talent from across the country. "Comics To Watch" features a wide range of diversely talented young comedians.  The show was created to help launch the careers of the next generation of comedians by presenting them to industry executives and comedy fans, alike. “Comics to Watch” will take place at the famed Carolines on Broadway during the festival. 

Also returning to this year’s festival is the popular New York’s Funniest Stand-Up competition, the city’s largest stand-up comedy contest. Since 2007, The Festival has auditioned New York’s best undiscovered comedians and invited them to take their shot being crowned “New York’s Funniest Stand-Up.”  The winner of the competition receives a cash prize, a chance to open for a headliner at Carolines on Broadway, and a coveted spot to perform on one of the major Festival shows.   To be considered for the New York’s Funniest Stand-Up competition, comedians can submit a performance clip to nyfunniest@carolines.com by September 17.

“The Festival continues to grow leaps and bounds each year,” says Caroline Hirsch, owner of Carolines on Broadway and the New York Comedy Festival. “We’re thrilled with the caliber of comedy talent that we’re bringing together for this year’s festival.  We’ll have more comedians performing this year than ever before, we’ll be introducing some great new programming, and we’ll also be returning to one of the city’s truly great venues, The Apollo Theater in Harlem. I’m sure comedy fans will be overjoyed with when we announce our line-up this summer,” Hirsch adds.

"The New York Comedy Festival thrives each and every year providing the ultimate multi-day comedy experience," said Mitch Fried, Executive Vice President, Enterprises, Comedy Central.  "Together with Carolines on Broadway, we'll make it another successful and memorable year."