by Sebastian Maniscalco joked on Facebook last week that he should move to New York City in 2016 because he’s already sold enough tickets for six shows at the Beacon Theatre, and they aren’t even happening until May.
Meanwhile, Jerry Seinfeld just announced an actual residency for 2016 at the Beacon, performing once monthly from January through June (so far) at the 2,800-seat theater on Broadway’s Upper West Side.
“My favorite theater in New York to perform in has always been The Beacon. Comedians live for certain houses that just feel ‘alive’ for some reason,” Seinfeld said in Tuesday’s announcement. “The Beacon is that place for me and I am so excited to make it my new home.”
The Beacon was part of a five-borough tour Seinfeld made with Colin Quinn back in 2012.
UPDATED 12/8/2015: Tickets sold out within minutes not only for the first six months, but also for six additional shows added — July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 21 and Dec. 2 — meaning Seinfeld has sold-out dates all of 2016.
James L. Dolan, executive chairman, The Madison Square Garden Company. “As a renowned New Yorker whose brand of comedy is rooted in the Big Apple, we are honored to welcome Jerry to The Beacon, his neighborhood theater, for ‘Jerry Seinfeld: The Homestand.'”
The Beacon recently hosted The Trainwreck Comedy Tour with Amy Schumer, Judd Apatow, Dave Attell, Mike Birbiglia, Vanessa Bayer and Quinn; is the home for the biennial Night of Too Many Stars benefit for autism support produced by Robert Smigel for Comedy Central and hosted by Jon Stewart; and was caught on film for the Emmy-winning special, Louis C.K.: Live at the Beacon Theater.
It’s not even 2016 yet and already the theater’s comedy slate is impressive.
To wit:
- Jan. 29: Joe Rogan
- March 18: Lisa Lampanelli
- May 1, 6, 7 (two shows each night): Sebastian Maniscalco
Maniscalco, who released a Showtime special and DVD just last year with Aren’t You Embarrassed?, and sold out a dozen club shows in NYC over this past year, will tape his next special at the Beacon. When the Beacon announced the sixth show, Maniscalco wrote Nov. 23 in a sponsored post on Facebook: “Anyone selling a home in the New York area? I might have to take up residence in the Big Apple if this continues.”
Actually, if he can sell out six shows at the Beacon, that’s 16,800 seats and close enough to putting him in The Garden’s biggest venue, Madison Square Garden.
That’s where Jim Gaffigan will become just the 12th comedian to headline his own stand-up show in the arena on Dec. 12. Bill Burr cleaned up at MSG last month during the New York Comedy Festival, and Amy Schumer (who opened for Madonna there) is already on the books for an MSG date come June.
Not to be undone, the Impractical Jokers “Where’s Larry” Tour starring The Tenderloins has sold enough tickets for three nights next month, Jan. 29-31, at Radio City Music Hall, which seats 5,900.
And The Garden’s other Manhattan venue, the 5,600-seat Theatre at MSG, has two shows on its schedule already for 2016. Mike Epps: Don’t Take It Personal with special guest host Sommore, featuring Earthquake and Tony Rock on Feb. 5; and the annual Hot 97 April Fool’s Comedy Show, next year hosted by Tracy Morgan with Rickey Smiley, Aries Spears, Deray Davis, Dominique, Felipe Esparza and more to be added.
