Explore New Jersey

Big Apple Comedy Club #67
2026-06-13 20:00 - 23:30 (America/New_York) | The Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St, , NJ, Newton, NJ, 07860, United States
Big Apple Comedy Club #67 Brings a Powerhouse Night of Stand-Up to The Newton Theatre This June

New Jersey’s live entertainment calendar continues to expand with purpose and precision, and this summer delivers another high-impact addition as the Big Apple Comedy Club returns to The Newton Theatre for its latest installment. Scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM, Big Apple Comedy Club #67 is positioned as more than just another touring comedy stop—it is a curated, high-caliber showcase that reflects the growing demand for premium stand-up experiences across the state. With an all-ages format and a lineup built on proven national talent, this event reinforces New Jersey’s evolving identity as a serious destination for live comedy.

The Newton Theatre, long recognized as one of North Jersey’s most intimate and acoustically refined venues, provides the ideal backdrop for a night structured around timing, delivery, and connection. Unlike larger arenas where comedy can lose its immediacy, Newton’s setting allows each performer to operate within a space that amplifies nuance—every pause, every callback, every layered punchline lands with clarity. This environment is precisely what elevates the Big Apple Comedy Club series beyond a standard multi-comic bill and into something that feels deliberate, polished, and built for audiences who understand the craft.

At the top of the lineup is Sean Donnelly, a veteran performer whose career has consistently bridged traditional late-night television and the modern stand-up circuit. With appearances spanning major platforms including Letterman, Conan, and NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Donnelly represents a generation of comedians who refined their voice through both network exposure and relentless touring. His comedic style leans into sharp observational humor, often delivered with a laid-back confidence that disarms audiences before landing precisely structured jokes. Beyond television, his presence on podcasts and comedy albums has allowed him to cultivate a following that values both his writing and his ability to adapt material across formats. His inclusion in this lineup signals a commitment to delivering performers who are not only recognizable but also technically strong in a live setting.

Carmen Lynch brings a distinctly different but equally compelling dynamic to the stage. As a New York-based comedian with multiple late-night appearances, including Fallon and Colbert, Lynch has developed a voice that blends self-awareness with cultural commentary. Her bilingual performances and ability to move seamlessly between English and Spanish material add a layer of versatility that resonates with increasingly diverse audiences. Her recent work, including a widely distributed comedy album and participation in high-profile comedy specials, underscores her continued relevance in a rapidly shifting comedy landscape. Lynch’s presence in this lineup is strategic—she brings both established credibility and a contemporary edge that aligns with where stand-up is heading.

Kyle Mara represents the next wave, a rising performer whose trajectory reflects the modern pathway of comedy development. Rooted in the New York City club circuit, Mara has refined a conversational style that prioritizes rhythm and relatability while maintaining a sharp comedic structure. His work in television and independent film, along with his podcast presence, demonstrates a multi-platform approach that is increasingly essential for emerging comedians. What makes Mara particularly effective in a live setting is his ability to build momentum through smaller, tightly constructed bits that accumulate into a strong, cohesive set. For audiences, this translates into a performance that feels immediate and current, capturing the energy of a comedian actively ascending.

Rounding out the lineup is Brian Scolaro, a performer whose résumé alone signals the depth of experience he brings to the stage. With an extensive list of television credits across major networks and streaming platforms, Scolaro has built a career that extends far beyond stand-up while remaining firmly rooted in it. His comedic voice is defined by a combination of high-energy delivery and carefully honed material, often drawing from personal experience and industry insight. His appearances on major sitcoms and dramas have expanded his visibility, but it is his consistency as a stand-up that anchors his reputation. Scolaro’s inclusion adds a layer of veteran authority to the night, ensuring that the lineup is balanced between established excellence and emerging talent.

What distinguishes Big Apple Comedy Club #67 is not just the individual strength of its performers, but the intentional construction of the lineup as a whole. Each comedian occupies a different position within the comedy ecosystem—seasoned headliner, late-night staple, rising voice, and crossover television talent—creating a progression that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. This is not a random assortment of acts; it is a deliberately structured evening designed to showcase the range and depth of contemporary stand-up.

The broader context of this event also speaks to the continued growth of comedy as a central pillar of New Jersey’s live entertainment scene. Across the state, venues are increasingly prioritizing stand-up as a core offering, recognizing both its commercial viability and its ability to draw diverse audiences. Platforms like Explore New Jersey’s stand-up comedy hub have become essential in connecting audiences with events like this, highlighting not just major headliners but the full spectrum of comedy experiences available throughout the region. This ecosystem is critical—it ensures that events like Big Apple Comedy Club are not isolated moments but part of a sustained, evolving cultural presence.

Timing also plays a significant role in the impact of this event. Positioned in mid-June, the show arrives at a moment when audiences are actively seeking live experiences that feel both accessible and elevated. Summer programming often leans heavily into large-scale concerts and festivals, but comedy offers a different kind of engagement—one that is immediate, personal, and uniquely interactive. In a venue like The Newton Theatre, that interaction becomes even more pronounced, creating an environment where the audience is not just observing but actively participating in the rhythm of the performance.

From a market perspective, the continued success of recurring series like Big Apple Comedy Club indicates a clear demand for consistency paired with quality. Audiences are not simply attending one-off shows; they are returning for a brand that delivers a reliable level of excellence. This consistency builds trust, and in the live entertainment space, trust translates directly into attendance. By maintaining a high standard of talent and presentation, the series has positioned itself as a dependable fixture within New Jersey’s cultural calendar.

Ultimately, Big Apple Comedy Club #67 represents a convergence of factors that define successful live programming: a carefully curated lineup, a venue that enhances the performance experience, and a regional audience that is increasingly engaged with stand-up as a primary form of entertainment. It is an event that reflects both where New Jersey’s comedy scene currently stands and where it is heading—toward a more refined, more ambitious, and more consistently high-quality future.

As June approaches, this show stands out not just as a night of laughs, but as a clear example of how comedy, when executed at a high level, can anchor an entire evening of live entertainment. For audiences looking to experience that level of craft in an environment built to support it, The Newton Theatre on June 13 offers exactly that opportunity.

Gary Gulman: Grandiloquent
2026-09-19 20:00 - 23:30
Gary Gulman Brings “Grandiloquent” to New Jersey for a Night of Precision Comedy, Intelligence, and Unmatched Storytelling

New Jersey’s comedy scene continues to assert itself as a vital extension of the region’s broader live entertainment culture, and on Saturday, September 19, 2026, that momentum reaches a defining moment as Gary Gulman arrives with his acclaimed live production Grandiloquent for an 8:00 pm performance. Designed as an 18-and-over event, this appearance is positioned to draw audiences who understand that stand-up comedy, at its highest level, is not simply about punchlines—it is about language, timing, perspective, and the ability to transform personal experience into something universally resonant.

Gulman’s arrival in New Jersey reflects a career that has been built with deliberate precision over more than three decades. Emerging from Boston, a city long recognized as a proving ground for elite comedians, he developed his voice through a combination of intellectual curiosity and relentless performance discipline. His path into comedy was anything but linear—spanning roles as a college football player, accountant, and high school teacher before fully committing to the stage. That breadth of experience continues to inform his material, providing a foundation that allows him to approach comedy from angles that feel both deeply personal and widely relatable.

What distinguishes Gulman within the contemporary comedy landscape is his command of structure and language. His routines are meticulously crafted, often built around themes that unfold with a level of narrative coherence more commonly associated with long-form storytelling than traditional stand-up. This approach is fully realized in Grandiloquent, a one-man show that has already demonstrated its impact through a sold-out Off-Broadway run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Directed by Tony Award winner Moritz von Stuelpnagel, the production represents a convergence of theatrical discipline and comedic insight, elevating the format into something that operates simultaneously as performance, reflection, and cultural commentary.

The title itself signals the intent. “Grandiloquent” suggests a heightened engagement with language, and Gulman delivers on that promise by exploring the nuances of communication, identity, and personal history with a level of detail that rewards attentive audiences. His ability to balance intellectual depth with accessibility ensures that the material remains engaging without sacrificing complexity. This is comedy that invites listeners to think as much as it encourages them to laugh.

Gulman’s body of work leading up to this moment reinforces his standing as one of the most respected voices in stand-up. His HBO specials The Great Depresh and Born On 3rd Base have been widely recognized for their ability to address challenging subjects with clarity and humor. The Great Depresh, in particular, stands as a landmark piece within the genre, offering an unflinching yet ultimately hopeful exploration of mental health. It is a performance that demonstrates how comedy can function as both entertainment and insight, bridging the gap between personal vulnerability and collective understanding.

Beyond stand-up, Gulman’s presence across film and television has expanded his reach while maintaining the integrity of his voice. His appearance in the globally recognized film Joker introduced him to a broader audience, while his role in the series Life & Beth alongside Amy Schumer further showcased his versatility as a performer. These projects complement his work on stage, reinforcing a career that is defined by consistency and adaptability rather than reliance on any single medium.

His literary debut, Misfit: Growing Up Awkward in the ’80s, adds another dimension to his creative output. The memoir, which traces his experiences from childhood through adolescence, mirrors the themes that often surface in his stand-up—identity, belonging, and the search for connection. The book’s reception underscores his ability to translate his comedic perspective into written form, maintaining the same balance of humor and emotional clarity that defines his live performances.

New Jersey’s role in hosting an event of this caliber reflects the state’s continued growth as a destination for high-quality stand-up comedy. Platforms like Explore New Jersey’s stand-up comedy coverage have played a key role in highlighting performances that contribute to the region’s cultural landscape, ensuring that audiences have access to artists who operate at the highest levels of their craft. Gulman’s appearance aligns perfectly with this trajectory, bringing a performance that is both critically acclaimed and broadly appealing.

The significance of this event lies not only in Gulman’s reputation, but in the format itself. Grandiloquent is designed to function as a cohesive experience rather than a collection of disconnected bits. It invites audiences to engage with the material as a continuous narrative, where each segment builds on the last to create a sense of progression and depth. This structure enhances the impact of the performance, allowing themes to develop and resonate in ways that extend beyond the immediate moment of laughter.

As September 19 approaches, the anticipation surrounding this performance reflects a growing appreciation for comedy that operates on multiple levels. Gulman’s work challenges the assumption that stand-up must choose between intelligence and accessibility, demonstrating instead that the two can coexist in a way that elevates the entire experience. His ability to connect with audiences while maintaining a distinct and thoughtful voice ensures that each performance feels both personal and expansive.

For New Jersey audiences, this event offers an opportunity to engage with a comedian whose work continues to shape the boundaries of the form. It reinforces the state’s position within the broader entertainment landscape while delivering a performance that stands out for its clarity, craft, and enduring relevance.

On this night, Gary Gulman will bring Grandiloquent to the stage not as a routine, but as a fully realized expression of what stand-up comedy can achieve when it is approached with discipline, insight, and a commitment to meaningful connection.
