HA! The Musical, an Off-Broadway production about stand-up comedy starring stand-up comedians

Not all of the new Broadway musicals staged in New York City are based on hit movies.

Rehearsals began last week for HA! The Musical, and no, it’s not based on the old Times Square comedy club. but yes, it is a completely and seriously silly look at the world of stand-up comedy.

It’s making its Off-Broadway debut Aug. 2 at Stage 72 at Triad Theatre, in a limited run directed by Darren Katz (resident director of The Lion King on Broadway) and starring comedians Kevin Farley, Christian Finnegan, Jay Oakerson, Bill Dawes, Casey Balsham and Shawn Pearlman.

In addition to the cast’s comedy chops in TV series and comedy clubs, Dawes also has Broadway experience, having played the role of Paul Hornung in the 2011 Tony-nominated play, Lombardi.

With an original book from Michelle Wendt (Emmy-winning producer on The Doctors, writer on past sitcoms Yes, Dear, and The War at Home), and original music from Julian Velard, the musical looks inside the world of stand-up comedy and the comedians, weaving back and forth from the stage in song and jokes and backstage.

It’s produced by Eileen Cope/NYLA Entertainment, with Eva Price as general manager and Julie McBride handling musical direction.

The initial run is for five nights only — Aug. 2-7 (two shows Aug. 6), at Stage 72.

Tickets: $20 (plus two-drink minimum) available at www.HATheMusical.com and Brown Paper Tickets, or by phone at 800-838-3006.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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3 thoughts on “HA! The Musical, an Off-Broadway production about stand-up comedy starring stand-up comedians

  1. Luis J Gomez “The Rattlesnake” is brilliant and super talented! Will definitely come back to see the show again and again!

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